This recipe takes classic spaghetti and transforms it into a baked, bubbly comfort dish that’s great for weeknights, potlucks, or make-ahead freezer meals, plus it's even worthy of hosting a dinner party.
The creamy sauce hugs every strand of pasta, while the baked topping adds that irresistible golden crust.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Busy Nights: Uses simple pantry ingredients and comes together quickly
- Family-Friendly: Creamy, comforting flavors that both kids and adults will enjoy.
- Make Ahead & Freeze: Prepare it ahead for stress-free meals
- Customizable: Easily adapt for meat lovers, vegetarians, or dairy-free diets.
Here are Some Suggestions for Meat Lovers and Those Who Avoid Dairy
- Ground Beef or Turkey: Browned and seasoned for extra flavor.
- Italian Sausage: Mild or spicy for a bold, savory kick.
- Shredded Rotisserie Chicken: Quick and convenient.
- Bacon Bits: For a smoky touch
- Use Dairy-Free Cream Cheese: Almond- or cashew-based cream cheese works great.
- Dairy-Free Shredded Cheese: Choose meltable varieties made from coconut or oat milk.
- Coconut Milk or Oat Cream: Swap for milk in the sauce.
- Nutritional Yeast: Adds a cheesy flavor without dairy.
Tips When Making Spaghetti Casserole
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: It will finish cooking in the oven.
- Mix Sauce and Pasta Thoroughly: Ensures every bite is creamy.
- Top with Extra Cheese: For that bubbly golden-brown crust.
- Let It Rest: A few minutes before serving will help it set.
Additions, Mix-Ins, and Pasta Suggestions
- fresh spinach leaves
- sliced onions
- sauteed mushrooms
- sauteed broccoli rabe
- diced tomatoes
- artichoke hearts
- cooked boneless chicken, steak, pork tenderloin, lamb
- stir-fried, roasted, or steamed vegetables
- shrimp, scallops, lobster, clams
- penne pasta, shells, or bow-tie pasta can are also great with this recipe
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End Results and Final Thoughts
This Creamy Spaghetti Casserole is the ultimate easy-to-prepare comfort food.
It’s versatile enough for picky eaters, adaptable for dietary needs, and hearty enough to satisfy the hungriest crowd.
Whether you make it classic, meaty, or dairy-free, it’s a recipe worth keeping in your weekly rotation.
Serve it with garlic bread, a fresh salad, or roasted veggies for a complete and satisfying meal.
Yield: 8
Creamy Spaghetti Casserole
This quick, budget-friendly family dinner that’s full of creamy, cheesy goodness, this Creamy Spaghetti Casserole is the perfect choice
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 40 Min
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound spaghetti
- 4 ounces of softened cream cheese
- 1 cup milk ( you can substitute 2 percent or even half-and-half for this recipe)
- 1 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
- olive oil
Instructions
- Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13 x 9 oven-proof casserole dish.
- Cook Spaghetti according to package instructions and drain.
- Heat around 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet, add garlic, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, being careful not to brown.
- On a low simmer, add the cream cheese and milk to the skillet and whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Add in Parmesan, half of the mozzarella, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
- In a large pasta bowl, toss the pasta with the sauce.
- Place into an oven-proof casserole dish, top with the remaining cheese, and bake for around 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned ( you can also broil the top).
- Serve topped with sautéed Italian breadcrumbs, red pepper flakes, and grated cheese if preferred and fresh herbs.
Notes
For Sauteed Breadcrumbs:
1 cup Italian-style bread crumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1–2 cloves garlic, minced
1–2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon freshly chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Heat the oil (or you can use butter) and saute until they are golden
Suggestions for Dairy-free and Meat to Add:
- Ground Beef or Turkey: Browned and seasoned for extra flavor.
- Italian Sausage: Mild or spicy for a bold, savory kick.
- Shredded Rotisserie Chicken: Quick and convenient.
- Bacon Bits: For a smoky touch
- Use Dairy-Free Cream Cheese: Almond- or cashew-based cream cheese works great.
- Dairy-Free Shredded Cheese: Choose meltable varieties made from coconut or oat milk.
- Coconut Milk or Oat Cream: Swap for milk in the sauce.
- Nutritional Yeast: Adds a cheesy flavor without dairy.
Tips:
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: It will finish cooking in the oven.
- Mix Sauce and Pasta Thoroughly: Ensures every bite is creamy.
- Top with Extra Cheese: For that bubbly golden-brown crust.
- Let It Rest: A few minutes before serving will help it set.
The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.
These are all copyright - protected images and content. Do not reprint/reuse this recipe or its images without my written permission.
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