Ohhh yes 😍 Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is a real crowd-pleaser — spaghetti baked with a creamy cheese layer, rich meat sauce, and melted mozzarella on top. Think of it like a cross between lasagna and baked ziti, but even simpler!

Here’s the full detailed recipe 👇

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🧀 Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

🛒 Ingredients

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz (340g) spaghetti

• 1 tbsp salt (for pasta water)

• 1 tbsp olive oil (to prevent sticking)

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or Italian sausage, or mix)

• 1 medium onion, finely diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (24 oz) marinara sauce (or any pasta sauce you love)

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp dried basil

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

For the Creamy Layer:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup sour cream

• ½ cup ricotta or cottage cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)

• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

For Topping:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese

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🥘 Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.

2. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente (about 8 minutes).

3. Drain and toss with olive oil to keep from sticking. Set aside.

2. Make the Meat Sauce

1. In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess fat.

2. Add onion and sauté until soft. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.

3. Mix in marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

4. Simmer 10 minutes to thicken slightly.

3. Mix the Creamy Layer

1. In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth.

2. Stir in sour cream, ricotta (if using), Parmesan, and parsley.

4. Assemble the Casserole

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

3. Spread half of the spaghetti in the dish.

4. Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the spaghetti.

5. Pour half of the meat sauce on top.

6. Repeat layers with remaining spaghetti, cream mixture, and sauce.

7. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.

5. Bake

• Cover loosely with foil and bake 25 minutes.

• Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.

6. Serve

• Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing.

• Garnish with extra parsley or basil.

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🌟 Tips & Variations

• Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the creamy layer for extra veggies.

• Use penne, rigatoni, or rotini instead of spaghetti for more texture.

• Swap beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.

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🍴 Flavor Analogy

This casserole is like lasagna’s fun cousin 🎉—same cheesy, saucy comfort but easier to throw together, and every bite has that creamy surprise layer from the cream cheese.