Name: Make Ahead Spaghetti Western Chili Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 16 ounces dry spaghetti (cooked 2 minutes short of the package directions); 1 block (8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature); 3/4 cup pasta cooking water (reserved before draining the pasta); 1 lb. ground beef; 1 medium onion (chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon chili powder; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 2 teaspoons smoked cumin; 2 teaspoons ground coriander; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1 can red beans (rinsed and drained); 1 can pinto beans (rinsed and drained); 1 jar (6 ounces prepared salsa); ½ cup water; 1 cup shredded cheese

I’m super excited to share my original recipe for Spaghetti Western Chili Casserole. This easy dinner recipe is quick to make (30 minutes or less) and can be made in advance, which is always a plus during the busy week.

Make Ahead Spaghetti Western Casserole Recipe | Kudos Kitchen by Renee

The inspiration for this recipe came to me because it was a play on the phrase “Spaghetti Western,” and I thought it would be fun.

Once I had the idea in my head, the ingredient list for this Spaghetti Western Chili Casserole followed quickly.

Jump to Recipe

**Please Note – The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making this easy dinner recipe is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the “jump to recipe” button above to be taken directly to the recipe.

The ingredient list:

ground beef
onion
spaghetti
cream cheese
red beans
pinto beans
salsa
chili powder
smoked paprika
smoked cumin
ground coriander
salt and pepper
cheddar cheese, shredded

A vertical closeup image of spaghetti chili with beans on a blue plate with a casserole dish in the background.

Call me crazy, but I get super excited to share recipes with you guys. Especially when they’re a little unusual, a little fun, and a whole lot of tasty!

This super simple dinner recipe is sure to please the entire family.

The heat level on this dish is mild, but feel free to kick up the spice by adding more chili powder, and maybe a pinch or two of chili flakes if you prefer something with a little more heat!

How to make a spaghetti western chili:

In a large skillet over medium/high heat, brown the ground beef with the onions and seasonings.
To the browned beef mixture add the beans, that have been drained and rinsed, and the salsa.

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package directions and reserve 3/4 cup of the spaghetti cooking liquid before draining.
Add one block of cream cheese to the drained spaghetti along with the reserved cooking liquid.
Stir well to melt the cream cheese and completely combine the cream cheese and pasta.

Add the cream cheese spaghetti into a 3-quart casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
Top the spaghetti with the ground beef and beans mixture.
Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20 minutes.
OR cool, cover, and refrigerate (or freeze) until ready to bake.
Top with shredded cheese after 20 minutes in the oven and return to the oven to melt the cheese for an additional 5 minutes.

How to reheat spaghetti western chili:

If refrigerating the Spaghetti Western Chili Casserole before baking, allow the casserole to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking (without the shredded cheese).

If freezing, you can bake the casserole from frozen, covered, for 60-90 minutes. Add the shredded cheese after baking and return to the oven, uncovered, to melt the cheese.

A horizontal photo of spaghetti western chili on a blue plate with a fork.

For more casserole recipe, please click on the following titles for:

Low-Carb Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole

Texas Tater Hash Casserole

Spinach & Butternut Squash Noodle Casserole

A vertical title text collage image of spaghetti western chili with tongs.

Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today’s quick and tasty dinner recipe.

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Make Ahead Spaghetti Western Chili Casserole

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

30 mins

Cream cheese is mixed with spaghetti for a creamy casserole base and then topped with a smoky ground beef chili before baking.

Course: Main Course Casserole

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy dinner recipe, easy family casserole, easy family dinner, spaghetti western chili

Servings: 10

Calories: 317 kcal

Renee – Kudos Kitchen: Renée

Ingredients

16 ounces dry spaghetti cooked 2 minutes short of the package directions
1 block 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
3/4 cup pasta cooking water reserved before draining the pasta
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons smoked cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 can red beans rinsed and drained
1 can pinto beans rinsed and drained
1 jar 6 ounces prepared salsa
½ cup water
1 cup shredded cheese

Instructions

In a large pot, cook the pasta 2 minutes short of the package directions. Reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking water and drain the pasta.
Place the hot pasta back into the hot pot and add the cream cheese and the reserved cooking water. Stir well until the cream cheese is completely melted and the spaghetti is well coated. Add the cream pasta in an even layer in a 3-quart casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown the ground beef and onion over medium/high heat. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper.
Cook and stir an additional 2-3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium/low.
Add the drained beans and salsa to the ground beef mixture and stir well to combine.
Top the creamy spaghetti with the ground beef chili mixture in the 3-quart casserole dish.
If baking immediately, bake for 20 minutes in a 350-degree oven.
Top with cheese and return to the oven until the cheese is melted.
If refrigerating, allow the casserole to cool slightly before covering and refrigerating. When ready to bake, allow the casserole to sit for 30 minutes at room temperature. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Top with cheese and return to the oven until the cheese is melted.
If freezing, allow the casserole to cool completely, cover well and freeze for up to 2 months.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees, cover the casserole and cook for 60-90 minutes or until cooked heated through. Uncover, top with cheese and return to the oven until the cheese is melted.

Recipe Notes

Tools and equipment:

large pasta pot
large skillet
strainer
wooden spoon
can opener
measuring spoons
measuring cup
chef’s knife and cutting board
3-quart casserole dish
cooking spray

Nutrition Facts

Make Ahead Spaghetti Western Chili Casserole

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 317 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 41mg14%

Sodium 743mg32%

Potassium 366mg10%

Carbohydrates 38g13%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 21g42%

Vitamin A 527IU11%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 161mg16%

Iron 2mg11%

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

I hope you’ve enjoyed this recipe for Spaghetti Western Chili Casserole as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing it to you.

Additional Casserole Recipes from some of my food blogger friends:

Should you have any questions about this recipe for Spaghetti Western Chili Casserole, or anything else you see on my site, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly or leave me a comment in the comment section below. It is always my pleasure to get back to you with a reply just as soon as I possibly can.

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Kudos Kitchen by Renée ~ Where food, art, and fun collide each and every day!

Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!