This one pan Cast Iron Skillet Spaghetti with Cream Cheese is easy, creamy, and so delicious with seasoned ground beef, tomato pasta sauce, spaghetti noodles, and Mozzarella cheese. 

Cast Iron Skillet Spaghetti with Cream Cheese

Looking for the best spaghetti recipe?

Today I’m so excited to share my incredibly delicious and easy Cast Iron Skillet Spaghetti with Cream Cheese.

This one-pan skillet spaghetti recipe is so simple to make and so creamy, cheesy, and yummy.

It’s hands-down one of our family’s favorite pasta dishes, and pairs absolutely perfect with my Homemade Red Lobster Garlic Cheese Biscuits and a side salad.

If you want to learn how to make this amazing Cast Iron Skillet Spaghetti with Cream Cheese, then keep reading below and check out my full step-by-step video tutorial over here.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube Channel for weekly recipe videos!

Skillet Spaghetti (Baked Spaghetti Recipe with Cream Cheese)

This Skillet Spaghetti will quickly become your new favorite thanks to how creamy, rich, and flavorful it is!

It’s also incredibly simple and one of my favorite ways to make spaghetti since you only need one pan from start to finish.

Below I’ve included some of my best tips for making this yummy skillet spaghetti, and trust me when I say your whole family will love it!

3 Tips for The Best Skillet Spaghetti with Cream Cheese

Use the Right Pan

Make sure you use a 12-inch or larger size skillet that’s oven-safe.

If you try to use a smaller pan, you WILL have spillage, and nobody wants to clean up a burnt stovetop mess.

I love/use these amazing cast iron skillets with lids, and it’s the perfect choice for this skillet spaghetti since you can go from stovetop to oven, and even store leftovers in the fridge.

Stir Your Pasta Regularly

Don’t just pour your pasta in and walk away.

Make sure you stir your spaghetti noodles from time to time to prevent them from sticking to each other/the pan.

I like to stir them at the beginning, and then stir them every 3-4 minutes or so until cooked.

Broil/Bake Your Skillet Spaghetti

This step is of course optional, but it makes for a beautiful presentation and who doesn’t love melted, golden, and bubbly cheese?

I like to pop the skillet spaghetti under the broiler for 1-3 minutes until the cheese has melted to a light golden perfection.

If you don’t have a broiler, you can alternatively bake it in the oven at 400 degrees for 5-10 minutes, or until melted.

Cast Iron Skillet Spaghetti with Cream Cheese FAQ’s

General/Cooking Questions: 

Can You Cook Spaghetti Noodles in a Skillet?

Yes! Skillet Spaghetti is actually one of my favorite pasta dishes to make because you only need just one pan.

How Can You Make Spaghetti in a Skillet?

Instead of boiling your noodles in a separate pot, you simply add them into the skillet after your meat has been cooked, and let them boil in a tomato sauce and water mixture.

Can You Cook Spaghetti Noodles In Tomato Sauce?

Yes, spaghetti noodles can be cooked in tomato sauce, just as long as you add another liquid, such as water or broth, to thin it out.

For this skillet spaghetti recipe, the sauce is comprised of crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and water.

How Do You Cook Spaghetti Without It Sticking?

The key to prevent spaghetti noodles from sticking to the skillet pan is to a. ensure it is fully immersed in the liquid (whether it be water or sauce), and b. stir it every few minutes.

Don’t just pour your pasta in the pan and walk away.

If your noodles are sticking, its probably because there’s not enough liquid to cover the pasta or you’re not stirring it often enough.

Equipment Questions:

What Size Skillet Should I Use For Skillet Spaghetti?

I recommend using a 12 inch skillet or larger to ensure you don’t have spillage.

I use this amazing 12-inch cast iron skillet and it cooks it perfectly with no overflow.

Do I Have to Use a Cast Iron Skillet for Skillet Spaghetti?

Don’t have a cast iron skillet? No worries!

You can use any non-stick oven-safe skillet for this recipe, just make sure it’s a 12-inch size or larger.

But if you want to grab one for the next time you make it, this 12-inch cast iron skillet is my favorite!

Substitutions/Add-in Ideas

What Can I Substitute for Ground Beef?

We love spaghetti with ground beef, but this dish is delicious with other meats as well.

Ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground Italian sausage are all great choices.

I even sometimes will do half ground beef, half ground Italian sausage and it makes it very flavorful.

Can I Use A Different Type of Pasta?

Yes. While spaghetti noodles are traditional, you can of course use other noodle types such as linguine, rotini, or penne.

Just make sure you adjust your cooking times accordingly and if using a larger noodle, make sure there’s enough liquid to fully cover the pasta noodles.

What is The Best Cheese for Spaghetti?

My personal favorite cheese for spaghetti is fresh, whole-milk mozzarella cheese.

It adds such a delicious flavor, melts great, and pairs perfectly with tomato sauce.

I also LOVE adding cream cheese to my spaghetti to make it creamier and richer.

What Can You Add to Spaghetti to Give it More Flavor?

Spaghetti doesn’t have to be boring! There are so many simple ingredients you can add to spaghetti to give it more flavor or extra nutrition.

1. For starters, I always recommend adding in some dried or fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, or an Italian seasoning blend.
2. Another way you can really amp up the flavor is by adding in a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to your spaghetti sauce. Just a tablespoon or so will give your sauce a deeper, richer flavor.
3. If you like veggies, diced onion and mushrooms, grated carrots and zucchini, or chopped red or green bell peppers would all be delicious additions. Simply add them in and sauté them while you’re cooking your meat. You can also add in some freshly chopped spinach at the end.
4. To give your pasta a little kick, you can add in some crushed red pepper flakes.
5. Instead of using all ground beef, you can use half ground beef and half ground Italian sausage. This adds a saltiness to the dish that tastes delicious.

How Do I Store Leftover Skillet Spaghetti?

Refrigerate leftover skillet spaghetti in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Re-heat individual servings in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, until warm.

How To Make Skillet Spaghetti with Cream Cheese

Ingredients Needed for Skillet Spaghetti

• Ground Beef (I recommend 80/20 or leaner)
• Onion Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Italian Seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper
• Spaghetti Pasta (I like to buy the half-length kind, or you can break regular spaghetti noodles in half)
• Crushed Tomatoes
• Tomato Sauce
• Cream Cheese
• Mozzarella Cheese

Kitchen Tools Needed:

• 12″ Cast Iron Skillet with Lid or 12″ Non-Stick, Oven Safe Skillet
• Rubber Spatula
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Box Cheese Grater

Step 1:

In a large 12-inch cast iron skillet (or non-stick, oven-safe skillet) cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking the meat into small pieces until fully cooked and no pink remains.

Drain away excess grease and place back on the stovetop.

Step 2:

Next, add in seasonings to include onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and stir until evenly combined.

Add in crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce one at a time, stirring in between until evenly combined.

Lastly, add in half-cut spaghetti noodles and immediately cover with water. You can also break apart regular spaghetti noodles into 2-inch pieces, if preferred.

Carefully stir the pasta in with the meat and sauce mixture, ensuring the spaghetti noodles are fully immersed in the liquid.

Let the mixture come to simmering boil over medium heat and cook covered with the lid for 12-14 minutes, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has cooked down.

Remove the lid and stir the spaghetti noodles every 2-3 minutes to prevent them from sticking to each other and the pan.

Next, preheat your oven broiler. Stir in the softened, cream cheese and mix until evenly combined.

Sprinkle the top with freshly shredded Mozzarella cheese and place the skillet spaghetti under the broiler for 1-3 minutes, until the top is a light golden brown and the cheese has fully melted.

Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. If desired, top with fresh Parsley and enjoy!

Cast Iron Skillet Spaghetti with Cream Cheese

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This one pan Cast Iron Skillet Spaghetti with Cream Cheese is easy, creamy, and so delicious with seasoned ground beef, tomato pasta sauce, spaghetti noodles, and Mozzarella cheese. 

• Author: Kindly Unspoken
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop, Oven
• Cuisine: American, Italian

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef (I recommend 80/20 or leaner)
• 2 tsp Onion Powder
• 2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 12 ounces spaghetti pasta, (I like to buy the half-length kind, or you can break regular spaghetti noodles in half)
• 1– 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1– 15 ounce can tomato sauce
• 3 cups water
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. In a large 12-inch cast iron skillet (or non-stick, oven-safe skillet) cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking the meat into small pieces until fully cooked and no pink remains. Drain away excess grease and place back on the stovetop.
2. Next, add in seasonings to include onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and stir until evenly combined. Add in crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce one at a time, stirring in between until evenly combined.
3. Lastly, add in half-cut spaghetti noodles and immediately cover with water. You can also break apart regular spaghetti noodles in half. Carefully stir the pasta in with the meat and sauce mixture, ensuring the spaghetti noodles are fully immersed in the liquid.
4. Let the mixture come to simmering boil over medium heat and cook covered with the lid for 12-14 minutes, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has cooked down. Remove the lid and stir the spaghetti noodles every 2-3 minutes to prevent them from sticking to each other and the pan.
5. Next, preheat your oven broiler. Stir in the softened, cream cheese and mix until evenly combined. Sprinkle the top with freshly shredded Mozzarella cheese and place the skillet spaghetti under the broiler for 1-3 minutes, until the top is a light golden brown and the cheese has fully melted.
6. Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. If desired, top with fresh Parsley and enjoy!

Notes

Refrigerate leftover skillet spaghetti in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Re-heat individual servings in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warm.

MORE DELICIOUS PASTA RECIPES:

• Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff
• Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet
• Easy Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta
• Cheesy Taco Pasta
• Cheesy Ground Beef Noodle Casserole
• One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta

I hope you enjoyed today’s recipe for my Cast Iron Skillet Spaghetti with Cream Cheese!

Will you be giving this delicious and cheesy skillet spaghetti a try for dinner soon? Let me know in the comments below!

Pin This Post