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Baked Creamy Spaghetti

This recipe is one of my favorite baked pasta recipes! It's got melted cheese, classic spaghetti flavors, and a perfectly gooey texture.  
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 33 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Spaghetti Noodles
  • 1 lb Lean Ground Beef or Italian Sausage for more kick
  • 28 oz Your Favorite Pasta Sauce Marinara or Meat sauce
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup Sharp White Cheddar shredded (replaces standard mozzarella)
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano replaces Italian seasoning for a punchier herb flavor
  • ¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes optional, for a subtle warmth
  • Fresh Basil ribbons for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until it is just al dente (firm to the bite). It will finish cooking in the oven, so avoid overboiling. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground meat until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy. Stir in your pasta sauce and a pinch of red pepper flakes, letting it simmer for 5 minutes.
  • While the meat sauce simmers, place the hot, drained noodles in a large mixing bowl. Add the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Toss vigorously until the cheese has melted and completely coated every strand of pasta in a silky white sauce.
  • Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish. Pour about a third of your meat sauce into the bottom. Layer the cream-coated spaghetti over the top, then finish by pouring the remaining meat sauce over the noodles.
  • Top the entire dish with a generous blanket of shredded white cheddar and grated Parmesan.
  • Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 30–35 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and the edges are slightly golden. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing—this helps the layers stay together!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!