Description
Crowd-pleasing spaghetti combines creamy cream cheese with tangy tomato sauce for a viral sensation. Rich flavors and simple ingredients make this quick dinner an instant family favorite you’ll want to add to your weekly rotation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef or sausage
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Cheese:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Other Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 onion
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Boil the spaghetti in salted water until al dente, following package timing, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, sauté minced garlic and diced onions until translucent and fragrant.
- Add ground beef or sausage to the skillet, breaking into crumbles and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Carefully drain excess fat from the meat using a colander or paper towels.
- Pour tomato sauce into the skillet, sprinkle Italian seasoning, and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- In a separate bowl, whisk cream cheese with a splash of reserved pasta water until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the cooked spaghetti, ensuring even coating.
- Transfer the spaghetti to a greased baking dish, creating an even layer.
- Spread the meat sauce over the spaghetti, then generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Finish with a dusting of Parmesan cheese across the top.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350F (175C) for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden with slight bubbling around edges.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of this comforting dish.
- Mix different cheese types like sharp cheddar or provolone for a more complex flavor profile.
- Swap ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian-friendly option that maintains the recipe’s rich texture.
- Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley on top after baking to brighten the dish and introduce a fresh element to the creamy, cheesy pasta.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg