Description

A rich, cheesy, and kid-friendly baked spaghetti casserole featuring a creamy cream cheese sauce. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for family nights and yields delicious leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound spaghetti noodles
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
24 ounces marinara sauce
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Add marinara sauce and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir well.
Reduce heat to low and add softened cream cheese. Stir constantly until completely melted and smooth. If too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Optionally broil for 1-2 minutes for extra color.
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.

Notes

Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature to prevent lumps. Save pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. Cook pasta 1-2 minutes less than package directions as it will continue cooking in the oven. For best results, grate cheese from blocks rather than using pre-shredded varieties.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 520
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 680
Fat: 22
Saturated Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 55
Fiber: 3
Protein: 22

Keywords: baked spaghetti, cream cheese pasta, family dinner, kid-friendly recipes, casserole, easy dinner, comfort food