Dinner

The Ultimate Baked Spaghetti Recipe

Name: The Ultimate Baked Spaghetti Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 16 oz thin spaghetti; 2 eggs; 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese; 5 tbsp butter, melted; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened; 1 cup sour cream; 1 lb Italian sausage or hamburger, cooked; 1 (24-oz) jar spaghetti sauce; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

BySimon Carel November 2, 2025November 2, 2025

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Introduction

This Ultimate Baked Spaghetti is a comforting and cheesy casserole perfect for family dinners. It combines tender spaghetti with creamy layers and savory sausage, all baked to bubbly perfection.

A glass baking dish filled with a three-layer baked lasagna sits on a white marbled surface with a red and white checkered cloth under it. The top layer is a thick, melted golden cheese with lightly browned spots and a sprinkle of green herbs scattered across. Below the cheese, there is a rich, deep red tomato sauce mixed with a bit of visible minced meat texture. The edges show some crispy cheese browned from baking. The dish looks fresh from the oven, with a slight bubble texture on the sauce near the edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

16 oz thin spaghetti
2 eggs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
5 Tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 lb Italian sausage or hamburger, cooked
1 (24-oz) jar spaghetti sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and set it aside.
Step 2: Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain well. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Toss the mixture with the cooked pasta, then transfer it to the prepared baking pan.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, minced garlic, softened cream cheese, and sour cream. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
Step 4: Mix the cooked sausage or hamburger with the spaghetti sauce. Spread this meat sauce over the cream cheese layer in the pan. Top everything with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden around the edges.

Tips & Variations

For a lighter version, substitute half the sausage with sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or spinach.
Use ground turkey instead of sausage for a leaner protein option.
Swap Italian seasoning with fresh herbs like basil and oregano for a fresher flavor.
If you like extra cheesy, sprinkle additional mozzarella on top during the last 10 minutes of baking.

Storage

Store leftover baked spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350ºF oven until heated through, about 20 minutes, or microwave individual portions until hot.

How to Serve

A square slice of layered casserole sits on a white plate with a white marbled surface underneath. The bottom layer is thick and yellow, looking soft and cheesy. Above that is a meaty layer, brown and chunky with visible pieces of cooked ground meat mixed with a red tomato sauce. The top layer is golden melted cheese with a slightly browned, bubbly texture. In the blurred background, there is a small portion of mixed salad with red and green parts and a bit of yellow, all out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day in advance and refrigerate it before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

What can I use instead of cream cheese?

You can substitute cream cheese with ricotta or cottage cheese for a different texture, though the flavor will be slightly milder.

Simon Carel