Southern Baked Spaghetti Mac And Cheese
If you're looking for a hearty and delicious meal that combines the best of Southern and Italian cuisine, look no further than Southern Baked Spaghetti Mac And Cheese. This dish is the perfect fusion of creamy mac and cheese and savory spaghetti, baked to perfection with a crispy golden crust on top.
Ingredients
Before we get started on the recipe, let's take a look at the ingredients you'll need:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Now that you have all the ingredients, let's get cooking!
Directions
Here are the step-by-step instructions to make Southern Baked Spaghetti Mac And Cheese:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the beef mixture. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the beef mixture for 10-15 minutes until it's thick and bubbly.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, eggs, milk, and sour cream.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the cheese mixture and stir to combine.
- Pour the beef mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Top the beef mixture with the spaghetti mixture, spreading it out evenly.
- Mix together the breadcrumbs and melted butter, then sprinkle the mixture over the top of the spaghetti.
- Bake the dish for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
And that's it! Your Southern Baked Spaghetti Mac And Cheese is now ready to enjoy.
Tips and Tricks
If you want to take your Southern Baked Spaghetti Mac And Cheese to the next level, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind:
- Try using a blend of different cheeses for extra flavor. You can use any combination of cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, or even Gouda or Fontina.
- If you like a little spice, add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- For a vegetarian version of this dish, simply omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- If you're short on time, you can use a store-bought spaghetti sauce instead of making your own.
Conclusion
Southern Baked Spaghetti Mac And Cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're serving it for a family dinner or bringing it to a potluck, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So go ahead and give it a try – you won't be disappointed!