When it comes to comfort food, few dishes can rival the satisfaction of a warm, cheesy, and bacon-infused pasta bake. Bacon Cream Cheese Baked Spaghetti is a dish that perfectly combines the rich, creamy flavors of cheese with the smoky, savory notes of bacon, all wrapped around perfectly cooked spaghetti. It’s a recipe that’s sure to become a favorite for family dinners, gatherings, or any occasion where you crave a delicious, hearty meal.
In this article, we’ll take you through the steps of preparing this delectable dish, offering tips and tricks to ensure that your baked spaghetti comes out perfectly every time. We’ll also explore some variations and ideas for making this recipe your own, so you can tailor it to your taste preferences.
Ingredients: The Building Blocks of Flavor
Let’s start by taking a closer look at the ingredients you’ll need to create this mouthwatering Bacon Cream Cheese Baked Spaghetti:
- 4 cups milk: The milk serves as the base for the creamy sauce that will coat every strand of spaghetti, giving the dish its luscious texture.
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of bacon soup: This condensed soup adds an extra layer of bacon flavor, enhancing the overall richness of the dish.
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened: Cream cheese contributes a smooth, tangy element that balances the savory flavors of bacon and cheese.
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder: Garlic powder adds a subtle depth of flavor, making the dish more aromatic and flavorful.
- ½ tablespoon onion powder: Onion powder complements the garlic, adding another layer of savory goodness.
- 1 lb dry spaghetti: Spaghetti is the perfect pasta for this dish, as it holds the sauce well and provides a satisfying bite.
- 3 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, grated and divided: Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully, creating a gooey, cheesy topping that’s essential for a baked pasta dish.
- 1 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled: Bacon is the star ingredient, offering a smoky, savory contrast to the creamy sauce.
- Fresh chives, snipped, for garnish (optional): Chives add a pop of color and a mild onion flavor, which brightens up the dish.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste: Seasoning with salt and pepper enhances all the other flavors in the dish.
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
To begin, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Preheating is essential to ensure that your dish cooks evenly and the cheese on top melts to a perfect golden brown.
Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Sauce
In a large pot, combine the milk, condensed cream of bacon soup, softened cream cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir the mixture over medium-high heat until it comes to a gentle boil. The cream cheese should melt into the sauce, creating a rich and creamy base that will coat the spaghetti. This step is crucial for building the dish’s flavor profile, as the sauce will carry the savory notes of bacon and the subtle flavors of garlic and onion.
Step 3: Cook the Spaghetti
Once the sauce is bubbling, it’s time to add the spaghetti. Break the spaghetti in half before adding it to the pot, which makes it easier to stir and ensures it cooks evenly. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the spaghetti cook in the sauce for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. The pasta will absorb the flavors of the sauce as it cooks, resulting in a dish where every bite is infused with creamy, bacon-flavored goodness.
Step 4: Combine with Cheese and Bacon
After the spaghetti has cooked, stir in 2 cups of the grated mozzarella cheese and half of the cooked, crumbled bacon. The cheese will melt into the sauce, adding even more richness and a gooey texture that’s characteristic of the best baked pasta dishes. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind that the bacon and cheese already contribute some saltiness to the dish.
Step 5: Transfer to a Baking Dish
Once the spaghetti is coated in the creamy, cheesy sauce, transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly in the dish to ensure that it bakes uniformly. The baking dish should be large enough to hold the spaghetti mixture without it spilling over the sides.
Step 6: Top with Cheese and Bacon
Now, it’s time to create that irresistible golden crust. Sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the spaghetti. Then, scatter the remaining bacon crumbles over the cheese. This topping will melt and brown in the oven, creating a deliciously cheesy and bacon-filled crust that’s the hallmark of a great baked pasta dish.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and starting to turn golden brown. The short baking time ensures that the dish heats through without drying out, while also allowing the cheese to achieve that perfect bubbly, golden finish.
Step 8: Rest, Garnish, and Serve
Once the Bacon Cream Cheese Baked Spaghetti is out of the oven, let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. This brief resting time allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to serve. If you like, garnish the dish with freshly snipped chives. The chives not only add a splash of color but also introduce a fresh, mild onion flavor that complements the rich, creamy pasta.
Variations and Tips
While this recipe is delicious as written, there are plenty of ways to customize it to suit your tastes:
- Add vegetables: For a bit of color and added nutrition, consider stirring in some sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or roasted bell peppers before baking. These vegetables add texture and flavor, making the dish even more satisfying.
- Use different cheeses: While mozzarella is a classic choice, you can experiment with other cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or parmesan for a different flavor profile.
- Make it spicy: If you like a little heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or sprinkle them on top before baking. The spice will add a nice contrast to the rich, creamy sauce.
- Try different pastas: While spaghetti is traditional, you can use other types of pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli. Each pasta shape will bring its own texture and personality to the dish.
Conclusion
Bacon Cream Cheese Baked Spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food, combining the rich flavors of cream cheese and bacon with the satisfying texture of perfectly cooked pasta. This dish is easy to prepare, yet impressive enough to serve to guests or family members on special occasions. With its creamy sauce, cheesy topping, and smoky bacon, it’s a meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
Whether you’re looking for a new twist on a classic baked pasta dish or simply want to indulge in something comforting and delicious, this recipe is a must-try. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a plate of pure comfort.