Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Ingredients:
12 ounces of spaghetti
1 pound lean ground beef
1 jar (28 ounces) spaghetti sauce
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
A pinch of garlic salt
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Instructions:
Oven Preparation: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
Spaghetti Cooking: Boil a pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti until al dente, typically about 10-12 minutes. Drain and keep aside.
Meat Sauce Creation: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it’s nicely browned and crumbly, which takes about 5-7 minutes. Drain the excess fat and add the spaghetti sauce, simmering for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
Combining Pasta and Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, mix the cooked spaghetti with softened cream cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of garlic salt until the spaghetti is thoroughly coated.
Layering: In your prepared baking dish, spread a small amount of meat sauce at the bottom. Layer over the cream cheese-coated spaghetti, then top with the rest of the meat sauce.
Final Touches: Sprinkle both Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses over the top. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese turns bubbly and golden.
Ready to Serve: Allow the dish to cool slightly before serving. It pairs wonderfully with garlic bread and a crisp salad.
Prep Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 50 mins | Servings: 6-8