Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is a delicious hot meal that deserves a spot in your regular dinner rotation. This is a super creamy and rich baked spaghetti casserole that can be assembled in advance and will really please the whole family. Love that!
Ultra Creamy and Rich
When I say creamy, I mean a whole block of cream cheese creamy, plus a container of cottage cheese and 1/4 cup sour cream. Yes, it’s a rich meal and because of that you’ll want to serve something light with it like a garden salad or steamed broccoli.
And don’t even think about dessert after a meal like this.
I think that meaty, cheesy casseroles are a big hit with everyone. Ground Beef Casserole, made with egg noodles and a thick layer of cheese on top, is one of the most popular recipes on this site.
With 2 pounds of ground beef in a really flavorful and thick tomato sauce, there’s plenty of meaty goodness to balance the creaminess in this cream cheese spaghetti casserole. A layer of Panko bread crumbs finishes this yummy casserole off.
How To Serve Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole
This recipe feeds a crowd and is perfect for a potluck or a bunch of hungry teenagers. It makes about 8 servings and can easily be doubled. I like to serve it with a garden salad with Creamy Italian Dressing and some Pepperoncini Garlic Bread.
Variations
- Use ground turkey instead of ground beef or use half ground beef and half Italian sausage.
- Use ricotta cheese in place of cottage cheese.
- Add mushrooms or green bell pepper.
- Use 2 minced garlic cloves instead of garlic powder.
- Linguine or penne pasta can be used in place of spaghetti.
Make It Spicy
If you want to make this casserole spicy, add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole Recipe Tips
Undercook the pasta just slightly. It will cook some more in the oevn.
If you’re not a huge fan of cream cheese, I recommend cutting the cream cheese in half because the taste is really present.
Storage and Freezing
Leftovers will keep for 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you wish to freeze this casserole, fully assemble it, wrap it in plastic wrap and then in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours and then bake.
For More Casseroles Perfect For Family Suppers Follow My
Casseroles Pinterest Board
More Meaty Casserole
- BBQ Spaghetti Casserole
- Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
- Cheesy Hot Dog Tater Tot Casserole
- French Onion Beef Casserole
- Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (16-ounce) container cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs or Panko crumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 pound spaghetti, cooked until al dente
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion and cook, breaking meat apart, until meat is no longer pink and onions are softened. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, oregano, and garlic powder. Stir to mix well. Cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and check for seasoning. Add salt and pepper if needed.
- In a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and green onions. Mix salt into cheese mixture.
- Spray a 9X13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Layer half of spaghetti on bottom of casserole dish. Top with cheese mixture.
- Cover cheese mixture with remaining spaghetti. Cover with sauce.
- Mix bread crumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top of casserole.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
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Originally posted March 15, 2015.
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I’m thinking I’ll make this tomorrow. One issue, I don’t have the cottage cheese, don’t want to run to the store for it… Plain yogurt should work fine, yes?
This sounds delicious but I would want to layer some of the meat sauce in after the first layer instead if keeping it all for the top like the instructions say….Or am I reaing it wrong
Sounds great but cooking time for sauce is short. Is it really long enough. I also would want to freeze.
I find that it is long enough, but you can certainly cook it longer Pat.
Can this be made in advance and frozen? If so, would you defrost before baking? Would the baking time change? Thanks
I haven’t tried freezing it Anita. Usually I like to try and defrost casseroles in the refrigerator overnight so the cooking time doesn’t need to be changed too much.
This is a great easy recipe. Made it today my picky husband LOVES it.
Yay! Finding something a picky husband likes is cause for celebration!
Hi Christin, Huff Post has a link for a chicken artichoke recipe that takes you to this one erroneously…just thought you should know. This looks delish too!
Thanks for letting me know!
WOOT! I figured it out. =)
I’m feeling dumb. It says one pound spaghetti. Is that dry or cooked? The coma is after spaghetti but before the cooked. Feeling really silly and stuff is sitting on counter waiting to be cooked.
You had me at cream cheese — this has got to be a great recipe!
Wow!! This looks so hearty and delicious! I love how the way you jazzed up spaghetti into this casserole! This would be a big hit at our dinner table!
Christin, I made this yesterday and it is absolutely amazing. Thanks for this great recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it and thanks for letting me know. Hope you have a wonderful day!
Any recipe with a whole block of cream cheese in it is OK in my book! This looks so yummy, it would be great for feeding a crowd!
This is so hearty and cheesy — love it!
This spaghetti casserole sounds amazing! I love making spaghetti casseroles, they are so tasty and such a unique twist on spaghetti!
I made spaghetti with meat sauce for the family dinner tonight, but it didn’t look like this—this is 10 times better!
Wow, this is one indulgent spaghetti — I’ve never seen anything like it! I love the creativity and it looks delicious!
This is so fantastic! I seriously pinned this right away to the Pillsbury game day board. Looks amazing!
I love how you jazzed up spaghetti, Christin! Such a creative idea! Looks like the perfect comfort food meal!
This is a great and delicious meal!
Seriously?! That looks like the best spaghetti EVER! I’m cooking spaghetti for dinner tonight but I think regular spaghetti just won’t do now!
My mouth is watering this look so good! Hope to try it for dinner some night soon!