Description

A creamy, comforting 4-ingredient baked spaghetti casserole that is easy to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for weeknight dinners. It combines spaghetti, ground beef, pasta sauce, and cream cheese for a rich, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound spaghetti
1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean or 90/10)
24 oz jar pasta sauce (marinara or spaghetti sauce)
8 oz block cream cheese (softened)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of dried oregano
Black pepper to taste
Salt to taste (optional, check sauce first)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente (slightly undercooked), then drain and set aside. Do not rinse.
While pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease if necessary, leaving a little for flavor.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add pasta sauce to the skillet with the beef.
Add the softened cream cheese to the sauce and stir constantly until completely melted and smooth.
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the creamy sauce.
Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and spread evenly.
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Undercook the pasta slightly as it will continue to cook in the oven. Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature to avoid lumps. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set. For leftovers, reheat with a splash of water or milk to maintain creaminess.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 600
Fat: 20
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 40
Fiber: 2
Protein: 25

Keywords: baked spaghetti, casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meals, ground beef pasta, creamy spaghetti, family friendly