Creamy Baked Spaghetti Casserole with Layers of Cheese & Beef
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 jar (24 oz) spaghetti sauce
8 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup sour cream
½ lb cottage cheese (about 1 cup)
½ cup butter (1 stick), melted
1 pkg (16 oz) spaghetti
1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese
Directions:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly greasing a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Boil the spaghetti noodles in a large pot of salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain off any fat, then stir in the spaghetti sauce. Allow it to simmer gently as you prepare the cheese layer.
In a mixing bowl, blend together the cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and melted butter until smooth and well combined.
To assemble the casserole, place half of the cooked spaghetti in the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon over half of the creamy cheese mixture, spreading it evenly, followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
Finish by scattering the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is melted and bubbly with golden edges.
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 6-8 | Calories: 450 per serving