Creamy Baked Spaghetti With Cream Cheese
Spaghetti is a classic pasta dish that is loved by many. It can be made in a variety of ways, but this recipe for creamy baked spaghetti with cream cheese takes it to a whole new level. This dish is perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion, and it's sure to impress your guests. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to make this delicious dish and provide you with some tips and tricks to make it even better.
Ingredients
To make this dish, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound of spaghetti
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 can of tomato sauce
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 package of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Now that you have all your ingredients, it's time to start cooking. Here are the steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions.
- While the spaghetti is cooking, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is soft and the beef is no longer pink.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Drain the spaghetti and add it to the mixing bowl with the cream cheese mixture. Mix until the spaghetti is well coated.
- Spread half of the spaghetti mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce. Repeat the layers.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the second layer of meat sauce.
- Bake the dish for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to make this dish even better:
- Use a good quality ground beef for the best flavor.
- If you don't have Italian seasoning, you can use a combination of dried basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing it with the parmesan cheese.
- If you want a spicier dish, you can add some red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- You can make this dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
Conclusion
Creamy baked spaghetti with cream cheese is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for any occasion. This recipe is easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste. Whether you're feeding your family or entertaining guests, this dish is sure to be a hit. So why not give it a try and see for yourself how delicious it can be?