Sneak Peek: This Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese Recipe is a spaghetti casserole layered with spaghetti, cream cheese, and meaty marinara. ( AKA Scooter's Spaghetti .) Crunchy French-Fried onion rings on top add incredible flavor and texture. Gluten-Free version included.

Individual serving of Scooter's Cream Cheese Spaghetti

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What kind of entree do you like to take to a party, a potluck, or a sick/sad friend?

These are my requirements:

  • Easy but scrumptious
  • Made from ingredients already in my pantry
  • Something most people (including kids and picky eaters) will enjoy
  • Not worrisome to transport in your car

Recipes you can make ahead of time get bonus points. Wouldn't you agree?

This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti casserole is a winner in all these categories! But what makes it stand out is the topping: crispy French-Fried onion rings. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

You can assemble this recipe the day before if that helps.

The first time or two may seem like a bit more trouble than plain spaghetti. But with a bit of experience, you won't need the recipe. It will come together in a hurry.

Tips for making this ahead of time:

  1. Assemble all layers except the onions and cover with plastic wrap, then foil. (Spaghetti sauce will cause small holes in the foil where it touches.) Place in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
  2. But don't add the French Fried Onions when you first assemble the casserole. Instead, hold them back until 5 minutes before the spaghetti is ready to serve or give away.
  3. Sprinkle the onions over the top and return to the oven for about 5 minutes to get crispy. Watch closely to prevent burning the onions.

Can I freeze baked spaghetti with cream cheese?

Inidividual serving of scooters spaghetti on a plate

Yes–before you bake it. First, cover assembled but unbaked spaghetti casserole (without onion rings) with plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. (The plastic wrap is essential. Spaghetti sauce can eat holes in thin aluminum foil.)

When you get ready to bake it, remove the plastic wrap and cover it with foil while the casserole heats. Remove foil halfway through baking to allow the cheese to brown.

Whether you refrigerate or freeze, don't forget about the French-Fried onions. As previously mentioned, sprinkle them evenly over the top of the casserole for 5 minutes before the end of the baking time.

Ingredients and substitutes:

GROUND BEEF: Substitute breakfast sausage or Italian sausage for a portion or all of the ground beef. I like to use 50% beef and 50% hot breakfast sausage.

If you want a vegetarian meal, try substituting sliced Baby Bella mushrooms for the ground beef.

SPAGHETTI: I like to use thin spaghetti noodles. Not as thin as vermicelli, but slightly skinnier than traditional spaghetti, although traditional spaghetti pasta will work as well.

SAUCE: My favorite sauce is Victoria White Linen Marinara Sauce. It contains less sugar than most. It's available at Costco as of this writing. Also seen on Amazon.

If you want to spice up the sauce with garlic and onions, go ahead. Cook them with the ground meat to soften.

Have a favorite spaghetti sauce recipe? Go ahead and use it in this recipe. You will need about 3 to 3-1/2 cups of sauce.

CREAM CHEESE: Neufchâtel is a suitable replacement for cream cheese if you're trying to cut the fat. Read more about Neufchâtel here.

You could leave out the cream cheese, but please don't. It won't be the same. Even if you think you don't like cream cheese, it's magic in this recipe. I have not tried substituting sour cream, ricotta cheese, or cottage cheese for the cream cheese.

PARMESAN CHEESE: Grated Parmesan cheese adds incredible flavor or umami to this recipe. For that reason, I don't recommend the grated Parmesan sold in the green can.

I have never substituted Mozzarella or Cheddar cheese for Parmesan. Romano cheese would make a good substitute.

FRENCH-FRIED ONION RINGS: Don't be tempted to leave these out! It would be like ordering a cheeseburger without cheese. What's the point?

The onion rings and cream cheese layer make this recipe extra special and unique.

If you need gluten-free or grain-free, check out these onion rings available at Asian supermarkets and Amazon. They are fried but without a batter coating.

spaghetti and sauce in a skillet
Add spaghetti sauce to ground beef and heat on medium-low.
cooking veggies in better in the microwave
Combine butter, peppers, and onions into a microwave-safe glass bowl. Cover. Microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes.
cream cheese mixture with veggies
Add softened cream cheese and milk. Stir until smooth.

How to assemble the layers for baked cream cheese spaghetti:

spaghetti layer
First layer: Cover the bottom of the dish with 1/2 to 1 cup of sauce, then all of the cooked and drained spaghetti.
cream cheese layer for spaghetti casserole
Second layer: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the spaghetti. Look at that creamy goodness!!
sauce layer
Third layer:  Meat sauce (all of it).
parmesan layer
Fourth layer:  Parmesan cheese (I use about 1/2 cup). Bake in 350˚F oven for 20-30 minutes or until sauce is bubbling and heated throughout.
toasting French fried onions on top of Cream Cheese Spaghetti recipe
Last layer: With 5 minutes of baking remaining, sprinkle French-Fried onions over the top.

Put the casserole back into the oven until the onions are toasty. Please keep your eyes on it. The onions can burn faster than you can answer the door.

Remember that I warned you earlier that this casserole would take a little extra time the first time or two you make it. It's not as easy as stirring it all up in a big bowl. But, believe me when I say it's worth it so you can enjoy all the different textures going on in this dish.

FAQ for this baked spaghetti:

How can I make store-bought spaghetti or pasta sauce more flavorful?

Add crushed dried red pepper, sauteed onions, garlic, and softened peppers (red, yellow, orange, or green). Some people like a touch of sugar.

Can I use gluten-free spaghetti instead of traditional spaghetti?

Yes. Or see the zucchini-noodle version below for fewer carbs.

Variation: Gluten-Free Version of Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti (with Zucchini Noodles)

Gluten-free version of Scooter's Spaghetti with shallots and zucchini noodles
Scooter's Baked Spaghetti made with zucchini instead of spaghetti

Substitute zucchini for the spaghetti for a gluten-free, veggie-packed version. Use a spiralizer or a mandolin to make noodles from 3 medium zucchini. No peeling is necessary.

Squeeze as much moisture out of the zucchini as you can before assembling the casserole.

Scooters-Spaghetti-making-zoodles with zucchini
Making zoodles and using paper towels (or an old tea towel) to squeeze out the moisture

To keep this recipe gluten-free, substitute pan-fried shallots for the onion rings.

You will need at least 4-5 shallots for this recipe. Sautè sliced shallots in a frying pan with a little bit of oil. Fry at med-low temperature until brown, stirring frequently.

Crispy Shallots
Pan-fried Crispy Shallots

Do you need some bread with your spaghetti?

  • Really Crusty Dinner Rolls from Your Bread Machine
  • Crusty French Bread (Mixed in a Bread Machine)
  • Crusty Round Bread Recipe for a Bread Machine
  • Make Ciabatta with a Bread Machine

If you have questions or suggestions, email me privately to Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon! Paula

Spaghetti Casserole with French Fried Onions

Scooter's Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese and French Fried Onions

Layered spaghetti casserole topped with French-Fried onions is a family favorite!

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Total Time 55 mins

  • 8 ounces uncooked thin spaghetti - 227 gr
  • 1 pound ground beef - 450 gr
  • 1 jar spaghetti sauce - 26.5 ounces or 751 gr
  • 1 tablespoon butter - 14 gr
  • ½ cup chopped green peppers - (or substitute red peppers) 75 gr
  • ⅓ cup chopped onions - 17.3 gr
  • 8 ounces cream cheese - 225 gr
  • 2 tablespoons milk - 28 gr
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh grated Parmesan cheese - 11.2 gr
  • 1 6 ounce can French-fried onions - 170 gr

Prevent your screen from going dark

  • Cook 8 oz thin spaghetti according to the directions on the package. Cook to al dente, then drain and set aside.

  • Brown 1 lb. ground beef, then drain excess grease. (This is the time to add garlic if you like. You choose the amount based on your taste preferences.)

  • Add a 26.5 oz (or close) can or jar of spaghetti sauce to the cooked ground beef and heat.

  • Combine onions, peppers, and butter in a small glass microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave for 3-4 minutes on HIGH until soft.

  • Add the cream cheese and milk to the cooked vegetables and stir well. (If the cream cheese is not soft, nuke the entire mixture for 20-30 seconds to make it easy to spread.)

  • Using a 12 x 8-inch baking dish (or something close), assemble in the following order: thin layer of spaghetti sauce, cooked spaghetti, cream cheese/vegetable mixture, remaining spaghetti sauce, parmesan cheese (amount subject to your own taste)

  • Bake at 350˚F (180˚C) for 25 minutes or until the sauce bubbles all around the sides.

  • Top with canned French-fried onions and continue baking 5 more minutes. (This is the secret ingredient–don't let them burn.)

Make this ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze without the French Fried onions. Don't forget to add them 5 minutes before casserole is finished cooking.

Nutrition Facts

Scooter's Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese and French Fried Onions

Amount per Serving

% Daily Value*

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Entrees

Cuisine: American

Keywords: baked spaghetti casserole, Scooter's spaghetti, Winners Spaghetti, Cream Cheese Spaghetti, Spaghetti with French Fried Onion Rings

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