Baked Spaghetti

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Baked Spaghetti is a creamy spaghetti that’s baked in a casserole dish. Its hearty beef filling and cheesy topping makes for the perfect ‘what’s-for-dinner’ solution!

Baked Spaghetti is traditional spaghetti baked in the oven. Life-in-the-Lofthouse.com

My Baked Spaghetti is an ideal choice when you’re in need of an easy weeknight dinner! It is a breeze to make and always makes my family happy. Did I mention the leftovers reheated are amazing? 😉

My family adores regular old spaghetti, but sometimes it’s nice to have a couple variations in the recipe archives. That way, you can still enjoy all the things you love about traditional spaghetti, but never have to worry about getting sick of it!

Baked Spaghetti is traditional spaghetti baked in the oven. Life-in-the-Lofthouse.com

INGREDIENTS IN BAKED SPAGHETTI

Spaghetti noodles: it’s not considered spaghetti until you have the noodles!

Ground beef: lean ground beef for the hearty meat sauce.

Spaghetti sauce: any spaghetti sauce will do!

Cream cheese: for that rich creaminess that binds the noodles together when it bakes.

Italian and basil seasoning: creates that wonderful flavor.

Parmesan cheese: for that delicious cheese topping.

Mozzarella cheese: more cheese, because why not?

HOW TO MAKE BAKED SPAGHETTI

Cook ground beef in a large skillet until no longer pink, drain grease, and add in spaghetti sauce.

While ground beef is cooking, cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions.

Once cooked, drain water and cover noodles in cream cheese, dried basil, and Italian seasoning. Mix until the cream cheese is melted and the noodles are coated.

Place a thin layer of meat sauce evenly to the bottom of a baking dish that’s been coated in cooking spray. Spread out all the noodles evenly, pour meat sauce over noodles, then cover in both cheeses.

Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes uncovered or until hot and bubbly.

Let stand 10 minutes to cool, then cut into squares and serve!

Baked Spaghetti is traditional spaghetti baked in the oven. Life-in-the-Lofthouse.com
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5 from 4 votes

Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti is a creamy spaghetti baked in a casserole dish. Its hearty beef filling and cheesy topping makes for the perfect ‘what’s-for-dinner’ solution!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces dried spaghetti noodles
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 to 2 jars (24 ounces, each) spaghetti sauce * see note
  • 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a large skillet, cook & crumble ground beef and garlic over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain any grease. Stir in spaghetti sauce. Remove from heat.
  • Meanwhile, cook spaghetti noodles in a large pot of water according to package directions. Drain water and then place hot noodles back into the empty pot. Add cream cheese, Italian seasoning and dried basil to noodles. Stir and combine until cream cheese has melted and noodles are all coated.
  • Spread a small amount of meat sauce evenly in the bottom of the baking dish. Pour in noodles and spread out evenly. Pour the meat sauce mixture evenly over the tops of noodles and then sprinkle evenly with both cheeses.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into squares and serving. Enjoy!

Notes

*I like to use about one and a half jars of spaghetti sauce because we like our baked spaghetti extra saucy.
*You can easily cut this recipe in half and bake in a 8×8-inch square baking dish to serve 6.

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30 thoughts on “Baked Spaghetti

  1. We love Baked Spaghetti! The version I make calls for cream of mushroom soup but I think I would rather use cream cheese. I will try your recipe next time. Actually I think I might make this within the next few days since I have everything I need. Thanks for sharing 🙂
    Jennifer

  2. What a great dish! I thought you were going to make a version of what I know as spaghetti pie, but it’s quite different! My family would love this 🙂

  3. Holly,
    This is my first time commenting. I’ve been a huge fan of your blog since the first of the year. Everything I’ve tried has been superb! We had this one for dinner tonight. I we nt with your advice and used 2 jars of spaghetti sauce. My entire family gobbled it up! There is nothing left! Thanks for all your wonderful recipes and wishing you and your family a great holiday season!

    -Rhonda Newby

  4. “Spaghetti Pie” is, I’m pretty sure, what made the husband fall in love with me. It’s the first thing I ever cooked him or dinner and he just loved it. My recipe is a bit different than this, but this sounds great! I love the addition of cream cheese. Mmmmm!

  5. My family loves baked spaghetti too. We make ours a bit more cheese-like. You should try it. (www.whatsinthatdish.com) *your site is very pretty!

  6. My husband is not a big fan of spaghetti, lasagna, or really pasta in general. But I thought I’d give this a try. He loved it! He said that he would prefer this over other pasta dishes. My children scarfed this down too. Great Recipe! Loving this blog! Thank you!

    -Jessica

  7. I love this! Sometimes I make it with sprial noodles and shredded chicken instead of ground beef just to mix it up a bit but I love it both ways!

  8. I have made this multiple times. It’s a good change up from plain old spaghetti.

    If you’re in the mood for it, it’s delicious… but you have to be willing to do those few extra steps (because Spaghetti is already easy).

    Overall though, it can be worth it!

  9. This was a hit with the entire family, from the grandparents to the kids. I took your advice and did two jars of sauce–great advice. Thanks for a delish and easy recipe! This would also be great to serve if you had another family over for dinner, as it makes a generous portion.

  10. Tried this the other night for our family. My husband hates spaghetti which always makes me sad because it’s so easy. Well, he went back for thirds! And I was able to reheat this for my lunch a few days in a row. Awesome, awesome meal! I’m making it right now for a family who just had a baby – the perfect “take and bake” meal too! Thanks for sharing!

  11. 5 stars
    I made your cottage pie recipe and it is delicious and easy. I’m looking forward to trying this baked spaghetti!

    1. The cream cheese that it’s in this recipe (not in regular spaghetti that I’ve had) binds the noodles together, and baking it sets the spaghetti so you can cut it into squares. It is really delicious!

  12. 5 stars
    This was great!! Will make again! Would definitely make for a potluck. I added a tsp of crushed red pepper to the spices and it really made it spicier for those whose families like their food spicier. Just ½ tsp would be perfect, full tsp ended up being a lot.

  13. 5 stars
    So delicious. My kids beg me to make this. Last time I made it with your breadsticks. It was the best dinner!

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