Ingredients
For the pasta:
- 450 g (1 lb) spaghetti
- Salt (for boiling water)
For the meat sauce:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 450 g (1 lb) ground beef (or half beef, half sausage)
- 1 jar (650–700 g) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
For the creamy layer:
- 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- ½ cup sour cream
For the topping:
- 2–3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter, sliced into thin pats
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the spaghetti
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook spaghetti until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
2. Make the meat sauce
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Sauté onion until soft (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add ground beef, cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
3. Prepare the creamy mixture
- In a bowl, mix:
- Cream cheese
- Ricotta (or cottage cheese)
- Sour cream
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
4. Assemble the casserole
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Lightly grease a baking dish.
Layer in this order:
- Half of the spaghetti
- Creamy cheese mixture (spread evenly)
- Remaining spaghetti
- Meat sauce
- Mozzarella + Parmesan on top
- Dot with butter slices
5. Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
6. Rest & serve
- Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with parsley if desired.
🔥 Tips for Success
- Add red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Swap ground beef for turkey for a lighter version.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting.
- Make ahead: assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Garlic bread
- Fresh green salad
- Roasted vegetables