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**Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti: A Creamy, Comforting Twist on a Classic Favorite**
If you’re in the mood for a comforting, creamy pasta dish that’s as easy to make as it is delicious, **Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti** is the perfect recipe to try. This dish takes the classic spaghetti and elevates it with a velvety cream cheese sauce that perfectly complements the pasta, making it a crowd-pleasing meal for the whole family. It’s simple to prepare, and its rich, indulgent flavor is sure to make it a new favorite in your kitchen.
In this article, we’ll dive into the steps for making this creamy, cheesy pasta bake, along with some tips to elevate the flavor and make it your own. Let’s get started!
### Why You’ll Love Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
There’s something magical about combining spaghetti with a luscious cream cheese sauce. Here are a few reasons why this dish is bound to become a household favorite:
– **Creamy Texture**: The cream cheese sauce creates a smooth, rich texture that makes each bite comforting and indulgent.
– **Easy to Make**: You don’t need any fancy ingredients or cooking techniques to make this recipe. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
– **Customizable**: You can easily customize the recipe by adding vegetables, meat, or even extra spices to suit your taste.
– **Baked Perfection**: Baking the spaghetti creates a golden, slightly crispy top, while keeping the pasta and sauce inside soft and gooey—a perfect contrast in textures.
### Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti requires just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry and fridge. Here’s what you’ll need:
– **Spaghetti**: You’ll need about 8 ounces (half a standard box) of your favorite spaghetti. Feel free to swap with gluten-free pasta if you prefer.
– **Cream Cheese**: The star of the dish! About 8 ounces of cream cheese will create a luscious sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
– **Tomato Sauce**: A classic ingredient for spaghetti dishes, tomato sauce balances the richness of the cream cheese with its tangy flavor. Use a can of your favorite tomato sauce, or make your own from scratch if you have time.
– **Ground Beef or Sausage (Optional)**: For extra flavor and protein, you can add some cooked ground beef or sausage to the dish. This is optional but makes the dish more hearty.
– **Parmesan Cheese**: Adds a salty, nutty flavor that enhances the creaminess of the sauce and gives the top a nice golden, cheesy crust when baked.
– **Mozzarella Cheese**: For that melt-in-your-mouth, gooey texture that’s essential for a baked pasta dish.
– **Garlic**: Minced garlic adds aromatic flavor to the sauce and complements the cream cheese perfectly.
– **Olive Oil**: For sautéing the garlic and any optional meat.
– **Italian Seasoning**: A mix of oregano, basil, and thyme adds a savory, herbaceous note that ties the whole dish together.
– **Salt and Pepper**: For seasoning.
### Instructions for Making Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s get into the steps to make this creamy, cheesy pasta dish.
#### 1. **Preheat the Oven**
Preheat your oven to **350°F (175°C)**. This will ensure that the spaghetti has the perfect golden-brown crust once it’s done baking.
#### 2. **Cook the Spaghetti**
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside. It’s important not to overcook the pasta, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
#### 3. **Prepare the Cream Cheese Sauce**
While the pasta is cooking, heat **1 tablespoon of olive oil** in a large pan over medium heat. Add the minced **garlic** and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. If you’re using **ground beef** or **sausage**, add it to the pan now, cooking until browned and crumbled.
Once the meat is cooked (if using), add **tomato sauce** to the pan along with **Italian seasoning**, and stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Now, cut your **cream cheese** into chunks and add it to the sauce. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the sauce, creating a smooth, creamy consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
#### 4. **Combine Pasta and Sauce**
Once the sauce is ready, add the cooked spaghetti to the pan and toss it until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. You can use a spoon or tongs to mix it together thoroughly.
#### 5. **Prepare for Baking**
Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased **9×13-inch baking dish**. Spread it evenly and make sure all the pasta is covered in the sauce.
6. **Add Cheese Topping**
Sprinkle a generous layer of **mozzarella cheese** and **parmesan cheese** on top of the pasta. This will create that beautiful golden crust when baked.
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