Description
Try this easy Cream Cheese Spaghetti recipe, combining creamy cheese, spaghetti, and ground beef for a delicious, family-friendly baked pasta dish everyone will love!
Ingredients
- Spaghetti (12 oz): The foundation of the dish. Al dente spaghetti provides a perfect base that soaks up the rich sauces.
- Lean Ground Beef (1 lb): Adds protein and a savory depth of flavor that perfectly complements the cream cheese and sauce.
- Spaghetti Sauce (28 oz): This ingredient ties the whole dish together, adding moisture, flavor, and acidity to balance the richness of the cream cheese.
- Cream Cheese (8 oz): The star of this recipe, cream cheese offers a creamy richness that elevates the dish to a new level of indulgence.
- Garlic (1 clove, minced): Garlic brings an aromatic depth, enhancing the overall taste experience.
- Italian Seasoning & Garlic Salt: These seasonings bring a classic flavor profile that complements the other ingredients.
- Parmesan Cheese (½ cup): A sprinkling of Parmesan adds a salty, nutty finish that harmonizes beautifully with the other cheeses.
- Mozzarella Cheese (½ cup): Topping with mozzarella results in a gooey, cheesy layer that melts beautifully during baking.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook your spaghetti in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown the beef in a skillet over medium heat. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks until no longer pink. Drain excess fat, then stir in the spaghetti sauce. Let it simmer on low heat for about 5-10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked spaghetti with softened cream cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt. Ensure the cream cheese melts slightly and coats the pasta evenly, creating a creamy mixture.
- Layer the dish: Start with a layer of meat sauce at the bottom of the greased baking dish. Next, add the creamy spaghetti mixture over the top, followed by the remaining meat sauce. Top off the dish with any extra sauce.
- Sprinkle the cheeses (Parmesan and mozzarella) generously over the top. This will form a beautiful golden crust when baked.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.