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Spaghetti Casserole is an easy dinner recipe that comes together with a handful of pantry staples for a quick weeknight meal. This hearty ground beef casserole is one dish that the whole family can agree on!

Overhead shot of baked spaghetti casserole in a blue dish

A spaghetti casserole is a great way to use up leftover spaghetti from the night before, or a simple meal that you can prep for the oven in about 20 minutes. A tomato meat sauce is made creamy with sour cream and cream cheese, tossed with pasta, finished with cheese, and then baked in the oven until hot and bubbly. What’s not to love?!

Close overhead shot of a bowl of spaghetti casserole on a wooden table

How to make Spaghetti Casserole:

This comforting spaghetti dinner is a family favorite. Everyone loves the combination of creamy meat sauce, tender pasta, and gooey cheese!

Here’s what you need for this baked spaghetti:

  • Spaghetti
  • Ground beef
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Marinara sauce
  • Cream cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Green onions
  • Mozzarella and parmesan cheeses

First, cook the spaghetti while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Cook spaghetti noodles in a pot

Meanwhile, brown ground beef, onion and garlic in a large skillet.

Browning ground beef with onion in a skillet

Stir in a small jar of marinara sauce, plus salt and pepper. If you can’t find this smaller size jar, that’s fine — just use about 1 3/4 cups of sauce from a larger jar.

Jar of marinara sauce

Turn the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese, sour cream and green onions — just until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.

Meat sauce with cream cheese for baked spaghetti

Toss in the cooked pasta, then transfer to a 2-quart baking dish and top with cheese.

Spaghetti casserole in a blue dish before baking

Bake the casserole (covered) at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. Then remove the cover and bake for about 5 more minutes, or just until the cheese is bubbly.

Side angle image of spaghetti casserole in a blue baking dish

What to serve with Spaghetti Casserole:

The following easy sides go well with the Italian-inspired dinner:

And don’t forget the garlic bread, baguette, or 3-Ingredient Homemade Breadsticks!

Front shot of a blue and white bowl full of spaghetti casserole

Cook’s Tips and Recipe Variations:

  • Leftover baked casserole will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Can you freeze Spaghetti Casserole? Yes! You can freeze this casserole before or after baking.
  • How to freeze the casserole: Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and then cover with aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • How to reheat the casserole: Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to bake, allow the dish to sit on the counter and come to room temperature for about 30-60 minutes. Bake according to the instructions in the recipe. If reheating a previously baked casserole, cover and warm in a 325 degree F oven just until heated through (about 20 minutes).
  • Substitute Italian sausage or ground turkey for the ground beef.
  • For more veggies, add a diced green bell pepper to the skillet with the beef and onion.
  • This recipe calls for a small (15.5 ounce) jar of marinara sauce. If you can’t find this size jar, use about 1 3/4 cups of sauce from a larger jar.
Overhead image of fork in a bowl of baked spaghetti

More easy spaghetti casserole recipes that you might enjoy:

Overhead shot of baked spaghetti casserole in a blue dish

Spaghetti Casserole

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
0 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 424.6 kcal
Spaghetti Casserole is an easy dinner recipe that comes together with a handful of pantry staples for a quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces spaghetti
  • 1 lb. ground beef or Italian sausage
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
  • 1 (15.5 ounce) jar marinara sauce (about 1 ¾ cups total)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray and set aside (I used an 11 x 7-inch dish, but a deep 8- or 9-inch square dish will also work).
  • Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water, just until cooked through but still firm to the bite (about 7-8 minutes). Drain.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink (about 6-8 minutes); drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, salt and pepper. Turn heat to low, and add cream cheese, sour cream and green onions; stir just until cream cheese is melted (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat, add the cooked pasta, and toss to combine.
  • Transfer to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over top. Cover and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake for 5 more minutes, or until casserole is bubbly.

Notes

  • Leftover baked casserole will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Can you freeze Spaghetti Casserole? Yes! You can freeze this casserole before or after baking.
  • How to freeze the casserole: Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and then cover with aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • How to reheat the casserole: Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to bake, allow the dish to sit on the counter and come to room temperature for about 30-60 minutes. Bake according to the instructions in the recipe. If reheating a previously baked casserole, cover and warm in a 325 degree F oven just until heated through (about 20 minutes).
  • Substitute Italian sausage or ground turkey for the ground beef.
  • For more veggies, add a diced green bell pepper to the skillet with the beef and onion.
  • This recipe calls for a small (15.5 ounce) jar of marinara sauce. If you can’t find this size jar, use about 1 3/4 cups of sauce from a larger jar.
  • Nutrition information provided below is just an estimate. The exact nutrition facts for your dish will vary depending on the products that you use.
  • Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6 of the casseroleCalories: 424.6kcalCarbohydrates: 38.7gProtein: 31.5gFat: 16.1gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.3gCholesterol: 79.5mgSodium: 744.4mgPotassium: 190.4mgFiber: 2.4gSugar: 7.8g
Keyword: ground beef casserole, ground beef pasta, spaghetti casserole
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Italian
Author: Blair Lonergan
blair

Hey, I’m Blair!

Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking!

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Comments

  1. If this is a recipe for leftover spaghetti then why would you have to cook the spaghetti again? I was looking for what to do with day old spaghetti.

    1. Hey, Stephanie! If you already have cooked spaghetti leftover from another meal, then you can skip the step of boiling it. Just use the cooked spaghetti in this casserole and bake in the oven to bring everything together and get that great melted cheese on top. 🙂