Spaghetti Casserole: The Ultimate Cheesy Baked Pasta Recipe

Need an easy weeknight dinner that’s warm and cheesy? You have never had a Spaghetti Casserole better than this one! It’s layered with an easy mozzarella cheese sauce that takes it over the top. DELICIOUS!

Spaghetti Casserole

I have an obsession with all things cheesy. Cheesy food, cheesy movies, cheesy shirts.

My late husband even charmed me with a cheesy pick-up line when we were teenagers, “Drop the zero, go with the hero.” Yup, he totally used that one on me! Swoon, right?

Almost everything is better with cheese! I created this recipe for those card-carrying cheese addicts like me and it’s ah-mazing.

There are no words in my vocabulary to express to y’all how fabulous and delicious this easy spaghetti casserole tastes.

I could barely even get pictures of this dish—it was gone so fast! My entire family raves when I make it. Yours will too, I am sure!

Why You’ll Love Spaghetti Casserole

• Easy to Make: This recipe is simple and comes together without much effort, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• Hearty and Filling: With layers of pasta, meat, and cheese, this is a hearty casserole that’ll satisfy even the hungriest folks.
• Comfort Food Favorite: It’s got all the classic spaghetti flavors, but in a warm, cheesy pasta casserole form that’s pure comfort food.
• Feeds a Crowd: This dish makes plenty, so it’s a great recipe for family dinners or gatherings.
• Customizable: You can easily switch up the ingredients to suit your family’s taste, like using ground turkey, adding extra veggies, or trying different cheeses.
• Great for Leftovers: The leftovers taste just as good (if not better) the next day, making it perfect for easy lunches.
• Budget-Friendly: Made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, this dish is easy on the wallet.
• Kid-Approved: Kids love this dish because it’s loaded with cheesy, saucy goodness.
• Freezes Well: You can make this casserole ahead of time and freeze it for later.

Ingredients for Spaghetti Casserole

• Ground Chuck: Using ground chuck makes a hearty, savory meat sauce that’s perfect for this spaghetti casserole recipe.
• Onion: This adds a lot of flavor to the meaty sauce.
• Garlic Cloves: Fresh cloves of garlic add a little extra flavor. If you don’t have any, you can use garlic powder instead.
• Jar of Spaghetti Sauce: You can use any brand you like, or make your own homemade meat sauce for a classic spaghetti taste.
• Italian Seasoning: Adds extra Italian flavors to the casserole.
• Garlic Powder: This adds another layer of flavor to the sauce. It’s an easy way to make the sauce taste like it’s been cooking for hours.
• Spaghetti Noodles: Thinner noodles like spaghetti work best for this casserole recipe. They soak up all the flavors perfectly!
• Cream Cheese: This makes the cheese mixture creamy and rich. It adds a little tangy flavor too.
• Butter: Adds richness to the cheese layer and helps make the sauce smooth.
• All-Purpose Flour: Used to make a simple roux (thickener) for the sauce.
• Milk: Makes the sauce creamy. You can use whole milk, or even heavy cream for an extra rich sauce.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: This adds a gooey, melty layer on top.
• Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Adds a nutty, salty, Italian-style flavor to the dish.

How to Make Spaghetti Casserole

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. This will keep your casserole from sticking.

Cook the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground chuck, diced onion, and garlic. Brown the ground beef until it’s no longer pink.

Drain off any grease to keep it from being too oily. Then, mix in the spaghetti sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Cook on low for about 10 minutes.

Cook the Spaghetti: In a large pot of salted water, cook your spaghetti noodles until they’re al dente. Drain off the water, then stir in the softened cream cheese.

The heat from the noodles will melt the cheese mixture. Stir the cheesy noodles into the spaghetti sauce until well combined.

Make the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and cook for about 60-90 seconds, stirring with a wooden spoon or whisk.

Slowly whisk in the milk and continue cooking until the sauce thickens to about the consistency of heavy cream. Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese and whisk until it’s smooth and melty.

Assemble the Casserole: Spread half of the spaghetti mixture into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Pour half of the cheese sauce on top, followed by a sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese.

Repeat the layers with the rest of the spaghetti mixture, then top with the remaining cheese sauce and another layer of parmesan cheese.

Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

Recipe Variations

• Use Different Protein: You can use Italian sausage, ground turkey, or even ground chicken for a lighter option.
• Add More Veggies: Sneak in some extra nutrition by adding bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the sauce. It’s a great way to make this dish a bit healthier without sacrificing flavor.
• Try Different Cheeses: You can add ricotta cheese or even a cottage cheese layer for a lasagna style.
• Make It Spicy: If you love a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.

More Amazing Casseroles Your Family Will Love

• Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Biscuit Casserole
• Broccoli Cheese Casserole
• Squash Casserole
• Cabbage Casserole
• Burrito Casserole
• Enchilada Meatball Casserole

Ways to Serve Spaghetti Casserole

Sprinkle fresh basil, parsley, or a little bit of oregano on top of the casserole for added flavor and a pop of color. Pair it with my Olive Garden Breadsticks Copycat Recipe and a side salad for a complete meal the whole family will love.

How to Store Leftovers

To store leftovers of your spaghetti casserole, let it cool completely first. Then, transfer it to an airtight container or cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Pop it in the fridge, and it should stay good for up to 3-4 days.

If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just reheat it in the oven or microwave until it’s warmed through. This dish makes for a delicious meal the next day!

Print Pin

Cheese Lover's Spaghetti Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chuck
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2-3 cloves of garlic optional
• 28 oz jar of spaghetti sauce
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 12 oz spaghetti noodles cooked al dente
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large skillet, brown the ground chuck with the diced onion and garlic (if using). Drain off any grease that forms. Mix in the spaghetti sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Cook on low for 10 minutes.
• Cook the spaghetti noodles until al dente. Drain off the water, and then stir in 8oz of softened cream cheese. Stir the noodles into the sauce. The heat will melt any un-mixed cream cheese.
• Meanwhile, make the Mozzarella cheese sauce. In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in 1/4 cup of all purpose flour. Cook on medium heat for about 60-90 seconds, stirring occasionally. Whisk in 2 cups of milk. Cook, whisking often, on medium heat until it’s thickened enough to lightly coat your whisk, about the thickness of heavy whipping cream. Add in 8oz of shredded Mozzarella cheese. Whisk until the cheese is completely melted and thorougly combined.
• Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread half of the spaghetti mixture into the bottom of the dish. Top with half of the cheese sauce and half of the shredded parmesan cheese. Top the cheese with the other half of the spaghetti - and then finish up with the rest of the cheese sauce and parmesan cheese.
• Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.