Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Ingredients:
12 oz spaghetti
1 lb ground beef
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Directions:
Cook Spaghetti:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Drain any excess fat, then stir in the marinara sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Make the Creamy Cheese Mixture:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese (1 cup), and Parmesan cheese. Add garlic powder and onion powder, and mix until smooth.
Assemble the Dish:
In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom. Add the cooked spaghetti on top of the sauce and toss gently to coat the pasta with some of the sauce.
Spread the creamy cheese mixture over the spaghetti, using a spatula to smooth it out evenly.
Pour the remaining meat sauce over the cream cheese layer.
Top with Cheese and Bake:
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the sauce.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Garnish and Serve:
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes
Kcal: 450 per serving (approx.) | Servings: 6-8