Scooter’s Spaghetti: Why this Spaghetti Casserole is the BEST

Preview: Scooter’s Spaghetti Casserole is layered with spaghetti, cream cheese, and marinara. Crunchy French-Fried onion rings on top make it the BEST.

Note: Don’t miss the gluten-free version with zucchini instead of pasta.

Recipes you can make ahead of time get bonus points.

Scooter’s Spaghetti recipe fulfills all my requirements. Make it the day before if that helps.

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

Who or what is “Scooter?”

Scooter is one of my favorite people from way back. She is an excellent cook. I’m so happy she is willing to share her recipes. 

If you like this one, check out more of these recipes she has also shared with me: Breaded Almond Chicken, Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, and Warm and Toasty Nuts with Rosemary and Shallots.

Tips for making this ahead of time:

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.) Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

But don’t add the French Fried Onions when you first assemble the casserole. Hold them back until 5 minutes before the spaghetti is ready to serve.

Sprinkle over the top and return to the oven for about 5 minutes to get crispy. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Can I freeze baked cream cheese spaghetti?

Yes–before you bake it. Cover assembled but unbaked spaghetti casserole (without onion rings) with plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. (The plastic wrap is important. 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 until the casserole is heated through. 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 5 minutes before baking is completed.

Ingredients and substitutions:

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.

Leave out the meat for a vegetarian meal.

SPAGHETTI: I like to use thin spaghetti. Not as thin as vermicelli but slightly skinnier than traditional spaghetti although that will work just 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.

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 good replacement for cream cheese if you’re trying to cut the fat. Read more about Neufchâtel on this informative post.

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.

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

Variation:

Gluten-Free Version of Scooter’s Spaghetti (with zucchini noodles)

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.

How to make Scooter’s Spaghetti Casserole:

#1 Prepare 8 ounces spaghetti according to directions on the package. Drain and set aside.

#2 Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Drain excess grease if necessary.

#3 Add spaghetti sauce to ground beef and heat on medium-low.

#4 Combine butter, peppers, and onions into a microwave-safe glass bowl. Cover. Microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes.

#5 Add softened cream cheese and milk. Stir until smooth.

How to assemble the layers for baked spaghetti:

First layer: Cover the bottom of the dish with 1/2 to 1 cup of sauce, then all of the cooked and drained spaghetti.

Second layer: Spread the cream cheese evenly over the spaghetti.

Third layer:  Meat and spaghetti sauce (all of it)

Fourth layer:  Parmesan cheese (I use about 1/2 cup). Bake in 350 degrees F oven for 20-30 minutes or until sauce is bubbling and heated throughout.

Last layer: In the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle French-Fried onions over the top.

Put the casserole back into the oven until onions are toasty. 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. Believe me when I say it’s worth it to so you can enjoy all the different textures going on in this dish.

Do you need some bread with that spaghetti?

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Hope to see you again soon!
Paula

p.s. Questions? Email me: paula at saladinajar.com.

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Yield: 10 servings

Scooter's Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe

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

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large can spaghetti sauce (26.5 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup chopped green peppers (I usually omit or substitute red peppers)
• 1/3 cup chopped onions
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• French-fried onions (small can)

Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti according to directions on the package. Cook to al dente, drain and set aside.
2. Brown ground beef, then drain excess grease.
3. Add spaghetti sauce to ground beef and heat.
4. Combine onions, peppers and butter in small glass bowl. Cover and microwave 4 minutes on HIGH until soft.
5. Add cream cheese and milk to vegetables and stir well. (If cream cheese is not soft, nuke it for 20-30 seconds to make it easy to spread.)
6. 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)
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
8. Top with french-fried onions and continue baking 5 more minutes. (This is the secret ingredient--don't let them burn.)

Notes

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.

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  Barilla Pasta, Spaghetti, 16 Ounce (Pack of 8)
• 
  JHC Fried Onion, Large, 8-Ounce
• 
  French's Original Crispy French Fried Onions 26.5 oz
• 
  Victoria White Linen Marinara Sauce Twin pack ( 2- 40oz bottles )

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10 servings

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 317Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 200mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 17g

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Expanded and updated on January 14, 2020.