Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

            This dish has restaurants screaming for the recipe. It is so good, there is never enough. This is a great meal to serve a crowd. I saw a version of this on a social media site. I can never make a recipe the way it is read. I am the type that needs to make it unique. I need to make it mine. Oh, I will share the recipe with those who ask.

This was seriously the best meal I have made and eaten in a very long time. Not to say I am a bad cook, I love to cook. This was just one of those meals that made everything else taste dull.

            This spaghetti is so easy and simple, there is a good chance that you have everything you need in your pantry and refrigerator. You could actually make this the day before and then you just have to bake it when you are ready.

Baked spaghetti is a wonderful taste to begin with, but when you add cream cheese to it, it brings it to a whole new level.

Frequently Asked Questions:

            Can I make this ahead?

You can have this dish put together and ready to bake. You can store it in the refrigerator for two days. You need to cover it tightly with aluminum foil or placed inside of an airtight container.

            Can I freeze this spaghetti?

This can be frozen in an airtight container, for up to one month.

            Can I add vegetables?

If, like me, you like to sneak some vegetables in, go ahead. I usually pulse some broccoli and carrots. My very picky eaters do not realize that those vegetables are inside the meatballs.

            Can I use whole grain pasta?

Yes! That is a great idea. You can also use gluten free if you choose.

What do you need to make Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

            1 pound lean ground beef

            16 ounces spaghetti pasta

            28 ounces pasta sauce

            8 ounces cream cheese

            1 pinch garlic salt

            1 clove of garlic, minced

            1 tsp Italian seasoning

            ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

            ½ cup mozzarella cheese shredded

How to make Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

FIRST STEP:

Preheat the oven to 350*

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and boil the noodles according to package directions.

a)

b)

SECOND STEP:

In a skillet, brown the ground beef.

Drain all the fat from the meat

THIRD STEP:

Add the spaghetti sauce and stir to combine.

a)

b)

Drain the spaghetti and place it in a large bowl

FOURTH STEP:

Add cream cheese, garlic salt, minced garlic, Italian seasoning

a)

b)

c)

Stir until the spaghetti is coated and the cream cheese is melted

FIFTH STEP:

Spread a small portion of the meat sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish

Place the spaghetti noodles on the top of that sauce

SIXTH STEP:

Spoon the remainder of the meat sauce over the top

Sprinkle the grated parmesan on top of the meat sauce

SEVENTH STEP:

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella on top

Bake in a preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly on the top.

Sprinkle more Parmesan on the top and serve.

Enjoy!