When you need a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s easy to prep and impossible not to love, Spaghetti Casserole is the answer. It tastes like a cross between baked spaghetti and lasagna—creamy, cheesy, hearty, and full of flavor. Even better? It’s budget-friendly, customizable, and great for meal prep.

Below you’ll find everything you need: a full ingredient list with exact measurements, step-by-step instructions, tips, variations, and answers to the most common questions people search for online.

Why You’ll Love This Spaghetti Casserole

• Quick, family-friendly weeknight meal
• Budget-friendly pantry ingredients
• Easy to assemble and make ahead
• Freezer-friendly for busy seasons
• A guaranteed hit with kids and adults

Ingredients for Baked Spaghetti

• 12 ounces spaghetti (about 3/4 of a 16 oz box)
• 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling)
• 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Easy Spaghetti Casserole

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Enjoy a cheesy, family-friendly Spaghetti Casserole made with tender pasta, seasoned beef, marinara, and a creamy cheese layer. This easy baked spaghetti recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or freezer meals. Includes exact ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti (about 3/4 of a 16 oz box)
• 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling)
• 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the diced onion until cooked through. Add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute.
3. Stir in the marinara, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3–5 minutes.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, egg and Italian seasoning.
5. Mix until smooth and creamy.
6. In a greased 9x13 baking dish layer half the cooked spaghetti, spread half the creamy mixture, add half the meat sauce and sprinkle a layer of mozzarella.
7. Repeat the layers again, then top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, or until bubbly and melted on top.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 843Total Fat: 53gSaturated Fat: 28gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 191mgSodium: 1804mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 53g

 

How to Make Spaghetti Casserole

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the diced onion until cooked through. Add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute.

Stir in the marinara, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3–5 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, egg and Italian seasoning.

Mix until smooth and creamy.

In a greased 9×13 baking dish layer half the cooked spaghetti, spread half the creamy mixture, add half the meat sauce and sprinkle a layer of mozzarella.

Repeat the layers again, then top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, or until bubbly and melted on top.

How to store baked spaghetti

Refrigerate: Store leftovers up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Freeze (baked or unbaked): Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months.
Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven or heat individual portions in the microwave.

This chopped salad and cheddar biscuit recipe goes great with spaghetti casserole

FAQ

Can I make Spaghetti Casserole ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble it in the morning and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Can I freeze it?

Absolutely. Freeze the whole dish before baking or freeze leftovers in portions.

Can I use different pasta?

Yes—rotini, penne, or linguine all bake beautifully.