Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole: Easy Weeknight Pasta Perfection

Have you ever found yourself staring into your pantry at 5 PM, wondering what on earth you’re going to make for dinner? Trust me, I’ve been there more times than I can count! That’s why this Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole has become my go-to rescue meal. It’s that perfect combination of comfort food meets practical weeknight cooking that my family requests again and again.

This isn’t just any pasta dish – it’s a creamy, cheesy, layered masterpiece that transforms ordinary spaghetti into something truly special. And the best part? It’s surprisingly simple to put together!

Why You’ll Love This Baked Spaghetti Casserole

There’s something magical about pasta baked under a blanket of melted cheese, isn’t there? This casserole takes that concept and elevates it with a dreamy layer of cream cheese that melts into the sauce, creating the most velvety texture you can imagine.

What makes this dish a standout in my recipe collection:

• It feeds a crowd (or provides excellent leftovers)
• The prep is straightforward – no fancy techniques required
• You can assemble it ahead of time and bake when needed
• The flavors are universally loved – even picky eaters approve!

I first discovered this recipe during a particularly chaotic week when I needed something that could stretch over multiple meals. Not only did it save dinner that night, but my family actually looked forward to eating the leftovers – a miracle in my household!

Ingredients List

For this crowd-pleasing casserole, you’ll need:

For the meat sauce:

• 1 pound ground beef (or substitute ground turkey for a lighter option)
• 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 24 ounces marinara sauce (your favorite jar works perfectly)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the cream cheese mixture:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (light cream cheese works too!)
• 1 cup sour cream (Greek yogurt makes a great substitute)
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

For assembly:

• 16 ounces spaghetti, cooked al dente
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Don’t have all the exact ingredients? No worries! This recipe is wonderfully flexible. The marinara sauce can be swapped for any tomato-based pasta sauce you have on hand. The meat is also adaptable – I’ve made this with Italian sausage, and it’s absolutely divine!

How to Make Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

Making this casserole is like building delicious layers of flavor – each component is simple, but together they create something truly special.

Step 1: Prepare Your Components

First things first, get your oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). Nothing worse than having your casserole assembled and realizing you forgot to turn on the oven! While that’s heating up, cook your spaghetti according to package directions, but aim for al dente – it’ll continue cooking in the oven.

While the pasta is boiling away, brown your ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s no longer pink, add those diced onions and let them soften and become translucent – about 5 minutes of magic happening right there. Toss in the minced garlic for just 30 seconds until fragrant (careful not to burn it – burnt garlic can ruin the whole dish!).

Pour in your marinara sauce, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, season with salt and pepper, and let everything simmer together for about 5 minutes. The sauce will get all those beefy flavors infused throughout.

Step 2: Create the Creamy Layer

In a separate bowl, grab your softened cream cheese and mix it with the sour cream until smooth and combined. Add the dried parsley and garlic powder, giving it another good mix. This creamy concoction is what sets this casserole apart from ordinary baked pasta!

Step 3: Assemble Your Masterpiece

Now comes the fun part – building your casserole! Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Layer half your cooked spaghetti on the bottom, then spread that cream cheese mixture over the pasta. It might seem a bit challenging to spread, but don’t worry if it’s not perfect!

Add the remaining spaghetti on top, then pour your meat sauce over everything. Top the whole thing off with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses – be generous here, the cheesy top is the crowning glory!

Step 4: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Cover your casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just starting to get those delicious golden spots. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving – this gives everything a chance to set up properly.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

One thing I absolutely love about this recipe is how well it works as a make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add about 10 minutes to the covered baking time if you’re cooking it straight from the fridge.

Leftovers? They’re fantastic! Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. I actually think the flavors develop even more overnight, making day-two servings something to look forward to.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole is more than just a recipe in my household – it’s a solution to busy weeknights, a crowd-pleaser for gatherings, and honestly, a bit of comfort in casserole form. There’s something so satisfying about pulling a bubbling dish of pasta from the oven, with that cheese stretched and melty across the top.

Have you tried making baked pasta casseroles before? This cream cheese version might just become your new favorite too! It certainly has earned its permanent spot in my dinner rotation, right next to those dog-eared pages in my recipe book that are splattered with sauce – the true sign of a well-loved recipe.

Why not give it a try the next time you need a reliable dinner win? I’d love to hear how it turns out for you!