Creamy Baked Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese
room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
minced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- to tasteSalt and pepper
Directions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti for 1 minute less than the package directions state. Drain the water from the pasta.
- 3
While the spaghetti is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the beef, crumbling it as it cooks. Drain the fat and add the marinara sauce to the meat. Simmer over low heat until the spaghetti is ready.
- 4
In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and garlic until smooth, creamy, and well combined. Salt and pepper to taste.
- 5
Place half of the cooked spaghetti in the bottom of the baking dish. Dollop half of the cream cheese mixture over the spaghetti and spread as evenly as possible. Spread with half of the meat mixture. Repeat the layers once and top with cheddar cheese.
- 6
Bake for 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let set for 5 minutes before serving.
Creamy Baked Spaghetti
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About this Recipe
Craving the ultimate comfort food that’s easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for company? This Creamy Baked Spaghetti delivers hearty satisfaction in just 40 minutes total, becoming an instant family favorite. It's the perfect answer when you need a comforting, delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
What makes this baked spaghetti truly stand out is its decadent creaminess. Unlike drier baked pasta dishes, this recipe combines room temperature cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese to create an incredibly rich and velvety sauce that enrobes every strand of spaghetti. This luxurious base beautifully complements the savory ground beef and vibrant marinara, elevating a classic dish into something truly extraordinary.
Prepare for a dish that is wonderfully hearty, deeply flavorful, and incredibly comforting. You'll find tender spaghetti baked in a robust meat sauce, all bound together by a luscious, tangy cream and cheese mixture. The top layer, golden and bubbly with melted cheddar, adds another irresistible dimension of cheesy goodness. It’s a casserole that promises a generous, satisfying portion that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or ensuring delicious leftovers.
Feeling adventurous? While lean ground beef provides a classic base, feel free to swap it for ground Italian sausage for an extra kick, or use ground turkey for a lighter option. You can also add sautéed vegetables like diced onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the meat sauce for added flavor and texture. For an even cheesier top, consider adding a sprinkle of Parmesan alongside the cheddar.
This Creamy Baked Spaghetti is an ideal dish for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to serve a crowd-pleasing, fuss-free meal. Serve it alongside a simple green salad and some crusty bread to complete a wonderfully comforting spread.