Baked Pasta Casserole With Beef and Cream Cheese

This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti dish is the perfect hearty dinner for busy weeknights! It includes lean protein and whole wheat noodles to make it a nutritious meal too!

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Meals like this baked cream cheese spaghetti dish brings back childhood memories of my mom making home-cooked meals pretty much every night (except for Friday pizza night).

When I mentioned to my mom what I was making she replied, "oh that sounds just like the baked mostaccioli that I used to make all the time just a bit fancier."

After discussing the recipe with my mom, she stated it's exactly what she used to make with the exception of the cream cheese I added to mine to make it a bit creamier.

But don't worry mom, we still loved your cooking, no fanciness needed!

Since I started blogging three years ago, I'm always looking for ways to add a unique twist to recipes.

I try to start with a basic recipe and brainstorm ways to add different combinations together or how to serve a dish in a different way.

Here are a few traditional recipes that I add a twist to besides my latest cream cheese spaghetti recipe:

This Honey BBQ Meatloaf vs. classic meatloaf.

Easy Skillet Pork Stroganoff

Baked Tuna Mac & Cheese Muffins

However, this Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti recipe is a good reminder that basic is sometimes just as good, if not better than a "unique" recipe!

My kids and husband absolutely love this dish so much that I am adding it to the must-make-on-a-regular rotation list.

And the best part is that it only takes about 20 minutes to prep!

Simple Steps to Making this Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

Start by cooking the pasta according to its directions. Use whole wheat noodles for an extra nutritional boost.
While the pasta is cooking, saute the onions with minced garlic and olive oil.
Then add ground beef until thoroughly cooked.
Now, just add the pasta mixture to the pan followed by the beef and top with cheese and Italian seasoning.
Next, stir in softened cream cheese (be sure to soften cream cheese well first!) into the cooked and drained pasta.
At this step, you can either cover it with aluminum foil and refrigerate for a day or two until ready to serve, or bake now.

Dietitian's Dish

How much do you pay attention to your hunger before and after you eat a meal? Here is an excellent HUNGER/SATIETY GUIDE to gauge your hunger cues before and after eating.

Not only does this help you become more aware of your hunger but it also may help you eat just the right amount of food at mealtime to be satisfied, but not too full.

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

1 pound whole wheat spaghetti noodles
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
2 (16 oz.) jars pasta sauce
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 11 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Cook pasta according to directions.
In a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and add onions. Cook until onions are tender.
Add ground beef, cook over medium heat until cooked thoroughly. Stir in pasta sauce.
Once pasta is cooked, drain and add to a large bowl. Stir in softened cream cheese until well combined.
Add pasta to baking dish followed by the beef mixture.
Top with mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Updated: I've made this recipe several times recently and realized it needs more pasta sauce, so I updated the recipe to include two jars instead of one. Either way tastes great, but my family and I agree that it's that much better with the extra sauce.

Keyword Italian meal, lean beef, pasta

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