Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Ingredients:
1 lb spaghetti
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1/2 cup water
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the Spaghetti:
Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Add the marinara sauce and 1/2 cup of water to the skillet with the meat. Stir well and let simmer for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Stir until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Dish:
Toss the cooked spaghetti with the cream cheese mixture until the pasta is evenly coated.
Spread half of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer the cream cheese-coated spaghetti over the sauce, then top with the remaining meat sauce.
Add the Cheese Topping:
Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve:
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve warm.
