1. Preheat and Prepare Pasta:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- Cook Onion and Garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant.
- Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
- Add Marinara: Stir in the marinara sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Simmer for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture:
- In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, and parsley (if using). Mix until smooth and well blended.
4. Assemble the Dish:
- Layer Spaghetti: Spread half of the cooked spaghetti into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add Cream Cheese Layer: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the spaghetti.
- Add Remaining Spaghetti: Layer the remaining spaghetti over the cream cheese mixture.
- Top with Meat Sauce: Pour the meat sauce evenly over the top, making sure to cover all the pasta.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and additional Parmesan cheese over the meat sauce.
5. Bake:
- Cover and Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
6. Serve:
- Let the baked spaghetti stand for a few minutes after removing it from the oven to set. Then, slice and serve warm.
Tips for Success:
- Pasta Prep: To prevent the spaghetti from sticking together after draining, toss it with a little olive oil.
- Variations: Feel free to add vegetables to the meat sauce, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach, for added flavor and nutrition.
- Make Ahead: This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven cold.
Creamy Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese is a rich and flavorful dish that combines the comfort of pasta with the decadence of a creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection, perfect for those nights when you crave something a little more special than the average pasta dinner.