Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Ingredients:
12 oz spaghetti
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (24 oz) marinara or spaghetti sauce
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the Spaghetti:
Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Beef:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.
Prepare the Sauce:
Stir the marinara or spaghetti sauce into the cooked beef mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
Make the Cream Cheese Mixture:
In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and well combined.
Combine and Layer:
Toss the cooked spaghetti with the cream cheese mixture until the noodles are well coated.
Spread half of the spaghetti mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Pour half of the meat sauce over the spaghetti.
Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti and meat sauce.
Top with Cheese:
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Bake:
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve:
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Enjoy this creamy, cheesy, and comforting Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti as a delicious and hearty meal for any night of the week!