Go Back

Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

A creamy, comforting baked pasta dish that uses cream cheese for a silky texture, making it a family-friendly meal perfect for weeknights.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Cheese
  • 12 oz spaghetti, broken in half for the casserole dish
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened (or Neufchâtel for lower fat)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella (or a 50/50 blend of mozzarella and provolone)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan for topping (optional) Optional for extra richness
Tomato Base
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz) OR 2 cups fresh diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (marinara or a simple canned passata)
Vegetables and Seasonings
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional) Optional for heat
  • to taste Salt and black pepper Season well
  • 2 tbsp olive oil For sautéing
Protein (optional)
  • 1–2 cups cooked protein: shredded rotisserie chicken, Italian sausage crumbles, or sautéed cremini mushrooms Use any preferred protein
Garnish
  • to taste Fresh parsley or basil For garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until about 1–2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent (3–4 minutes), then add garlic and sauté for an additional 30–45 seconds.
  4. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3–5 minutes to meld flavors.
  5. Reduce heat to low and add softened cream cheese in chunks, stirring until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  6. Stir in your chosen cooked protein and the cooked spaghetti until everything is evenly coated.
  7. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella and optional Parmesan.
Baking
  1. Bake for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden. Broil for an additional 2–4 minutes if you like a browned top.

Notes

For a crispy top, preheat the broiler for the last few minutes. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Consider adjusting baking time based on protein choices.