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Creamy baked spaghetti is an easy, fuss-free dinner recipe and is perfect for weeknight dinners and will become a family favorite in no time.
Pasta is a regular in most households, right? I mean, most weeks we have it more than once because it’s just so easy to make a recipe the whole family will love when its centered around perfectly cooked al dente pasta.
We of course have our favorites like this Rosemary-cream chicken pasta and this totally delectable tomato-cream rigatoni but we all want something new from time to time, don’t we? Last week I was planning on making a classic mac & cheese but when I went to cook the pasta, realized I didn’t have any macaroni in the house. All I had was a pack of spaghetti and so that would have to do. And so, my creamy baked spaghetti was born.
And my family absolutely loved it. Spaghetti is always a good idea where kids are concerned and I could make it hours in advance and just quickly bake it off before serving. What’s not to love?
I flavored the sauce with garlic powder and smoked paprika but feel free to add any herbs and spices you like. The creamy sauce is a blank canvas for flavorr. You could even go fancy-pants and add crispy bacon, roasted vegetables or mix in some bolognese sauce. I like to keep it simple though and serve it with a zesty, crunchy side salad and honestly, it is just the most delicious, easy, simple weeknight recipe. The leftovers are pretty awesome the next day too.
How long to make baked spaghetti
Make a simple white sauce by melting butter and whisking in flour. Slowly whisk in milk, cream and spices then allow to simmer until the sauce is thick and smooth. Turn the heat down and add the grated cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and season to taste. Pour the sauce over cooked spaghetti then transfer the spaghetti mixture to a baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese then place in a hot oven and allow to bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve.
Spaghetti recipes:
- Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
- Garlic butter mushroom spaghetti
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Spaghetti with Lemon & Parmesan
Creamy baked spaghetti
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1½ cups cheese (a mixture of cheddar and mozzarella works well)
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 500g/1lb spaghetti, cooked
- 1 cup cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF. Melt the butter in an oven-proof skillet/deep frying pan.
- Whisk in the flour until a smooth paste is formed then slowly whisk in the milk over medium-low heat until the sauce is smooth. Add the cream and spices and allow the sauce to cook gently for 5-10 minutes or until the flour has cooked out and the sauce is silky smooth.
- Add the cheese and turn the heat off. Allow the cheese to melt then season to taste.
- Add the cooked spaghetti and stir to combine.
- Top with cheese then place in the oven and allow to bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Remove from the oven and serve.
Nutrition
Any suggestions if I wanted to make this in the Instapot???
I’ve never made this in an instapot so won’t be able to give you clear instructions. As you want the sauce to be nice and thick, I wouldn’t recommend this recipe in a pressure cooker.
I saw this recipie on you blog today. It’s so divine! Been craving it the whole day. So I came home and made it for dinner. Just love your blog. Simple flavour. Thank you!
All the best for you and your family over this festive season.
Jess
So happy you liked it Jess!
I made this last night and it was absolutely delicious. My son had two portions because he couldn’t get enough.
So happy to hear that Jo-Anne!
New family favorite, thanks! Love that it is so easy to make.
That’s great to hear. 🙂
My kids LOVE this recipe. The youngest calls it “creamy ghetti” and she’s asked for it every day for the last few weeks.
I’m so happy to hear that Gayle. Love the “creamy ghetti” 🙂
Fantastic recipe. So cheesy and creamy and my kids loved it.
I’m so glad to hear that Christine. 🙂
My family loved this recipe. It was so easy to make and we loved the cheesiness of it. Delicious.
That is so good to hear Jess. I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed it! 🙂
This will be your new go-to mac and cheese. The baked spaghetti was quick and easy to make and most likely you have what you need on hand (I used half and half in place of the cream). The cheese sauce is so good on its own, you’ll want to drink it! My family loved it too! Yum!
Thanks so much Allison! I am SO glad you and your family loved this recipe.
I can’t wait to try all of these! They look amazing!
Thanks Patty! 🙂
I’m going to try this one, looks and sounds DELICIOUS.
Thanks Maureen. Hope you love it!
What’s not to love is right Alida! Definitely going to try this!
Thanks Mary Ann! It’s a goodie! 🙂
It sounds amazing. I love making dishes that are delicious but are quick to make. Trying to encourage making recipes at home rather than drive through. A recipe like this is easy to throw together and still have time to enjoy the family. It’s a keeper.
Thanks Marisa. It’s definitely an easy, family favorite!
So cheesy! I love that golden crust.
Thanks Genevieve!
Looks so delicious. Going to try it this weekend.
I hope you love it!