Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake

Tired of dry, overcooked chicken breasts or complicated dinners? Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake offers a comforting, cheesy, and family-friendly meal that’s perfect for weeknights or weekend feasts.

At dishfoody.com, sharing flavorful, feel-good recipes that simplify cooking while delighting your taste buds is a passion. This recipe blends tender pasta, hearty meat, a savory tomato sauce, and creamy cheese to create a classic Southern favorite with ease.

This guide covers why this recipe works, meat selection tips, ingredient prep, step-by-step instructions, pro tips, flavor variations, serving suggestions, and FAQs to help you master it at home.

Why This Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake Recipe Works

• Uses affordable, easy-to-find cuts of meat like ground beef or turkey
• Marinate and season in 15 minutes for flavorful, tender protein
• Combines convenience with classic Southern flavors ideal for any occasion

Choosing the Right Meat for Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake

Best Cuts for This Recipe

Ground beef with 16-25% fat gives great flavor and moisture. Ground turkey or chicken are lean alternatives that keep the bake lighter.

Buying Tips

Select fresh, bright-colored meat with no strong odor. Demand freshness from your butcher or trusted retailer.

Substitutions

Swap beef for ground sausage, plant-based meat alternatives, or ground veal for variety.

Ingredients & Prep for Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake

Meat Prep Essentials

• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to season
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Marinades/Rubs

Use simple seasoning of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian herbs. Allow meat to marinate briefly before cooking.

Pantry Staples

• 12 ounces spaghetti pasta
• 24-ounce jar marinara or pasta sauce
• 1 can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
• Olive oil for cooking

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake

Pre-Cooking Prep

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Cooking Method

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and bell peppers until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking meat into crumbles. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
4. Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Simmer 8-10 minutes to combine flavors.
5. In the baking dish, toss pasta with about half the cheese. Layer meat sauce over pasta, then sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
6. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Doneness Check

Cheese should be melted and slightly browned. Pasta cooked through and meat fully cooked (internal temp 160°F for ground beef).

Resting

Rest the bake before slicing and serving to allow flavors to meld.

Pro Tips for Perfect Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake

• Avoid overcooking pasta to prevent mushy texture.
• Use a mixture of cheddar and mozzarella for layered cheese flavor.
• Let the bake rest to enhance texture and ease serving.

Flavor Variations for Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake

Spicy Twist

Add crushed red pepper flakes or chipotle powder to the sauce for smoky heat.

Keto/Paleo

Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash and substitute sauce with sugar-free marinara.

Global Flavors

• Mexican: Add cumin, jalapeños, and cilantro; top with queso fresco.
• Italian: Stir in fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.
• Cajun: Use Cajun seasoning and Andouille sausage.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake

Serve with creamy mashed potatoes, sauteed greens, or garlic bread. Pair with Cabernet Sauvignon or Hefeweizen beer for a complete meal.

FAQs for Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake

Can I use frozen meat?
Yes, thaw completely before cooking to ensure even cooking.

How to fix overcooked pasta?
Add extra sauce or cheese and bake to rehydrate and soften.

Is this recipe safe for pregnant women?
Ensure all meat is cooked through and fresh ingredients used.

Conclusion

Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake offers a comforting, cheesy, and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion. Easy to prepare and full of flavor, this recipe will be a family favorite. For more hearty recipes, visit dishfoody.com and try our Creamy Mushroom Stroganoff next!

Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake

Print Recipe

A comforting Southern-style spaghetti casserole baked with rich meat sauce, cream cheese, and melted cheddar for the ultimate cozy dinner.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: Southern American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz spaghetti noodles
• 1 lb ground beef (or sausage)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

• 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• 2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with butter.
• 3. In a skillet, cook ground beef with diced onion until browned. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
• 4. Pour in marinara sauce, stir, and let simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• 5. In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and milk. Mix until smooth.
• 6. Layer half of the spaghetti in the baking dish, then spread the cream cheese mixture evenly.
• 7. Top with half of the meat sauce, then repeat layers with remaining spaghetti and sauce.
• 8. Sprinkle cheddar and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
• 9. Bake for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
• 10. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley.

Notes

• You can prepare this ahead of time and refrigerate before baking.
• Try mixing half beef and half Italian sausage for a richer flavor.
• Freezes beautifully just thaw overnight before baking.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 plate
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 780mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake, spaghetti casserole, baked pasta, Southern comfort food