Welcome to a delightful recipe for Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti. This dish combines the richness of cream cheese with savory marinara sauce and perfectly cooked spaghetti, all baked to perfection with a golden, bubbly cheese topping. Perfect for a family dinner or a cozy meal, this spaghetti bake is sure to be a hit. Follow this detailed guide to create a mouthwatering baked spaghetti that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Before we start, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients for the baked cream cheese spaghetti.
For the Spaghetti:
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
For the Topping:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Spaghetti
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.