Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese is a comforting classic that is loved by many around the world. This popular dish is perfect to serve at family gatherings, potluck dinners or just as a warm and filling meal for those cozy evenings at home. The combination of tender spaghetti pasta, rich cream cheese, savory tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese creates a delightful symphony of flavors that is sure to please anyone who tries it. In this article, we’ll explore the ingredients and step-by-step process of making this delicious dish, while also delving into its history and the culture surrounding it.
Ingredients for Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese
To prepare this comforting classic, you will need the following ingredients:
- Spaghetti: 12 oz of spaghetti or your preferred pasta
- Cream cheese: 8 oz of cream cheese, softened
- Sour cream: 1 cup of sour cream
- Cottage cheese: 1 cup of cottage cheese
- Ground beef: 1 lb of ground beef or your preferred protein
- Onion: 1 medium-sized onion, chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Tomato sauce: 24 oz of tomato sauce or your preferred pasta sauce
- Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper: to taste
- Shredded cheese: 2 cups of shredded cheese (such as mozzarella or cheddar)
Step-by-Step Recipe
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of making our baked spaghetti with cream cheese.
1. Preheat the oven and prepare the pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Follow the package instructions to cook the spaghetti in a pot of boiling water until it’s al dente. Once it’s cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Prepare the cream cheese mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Mix well until smooth and set this mixture aside.
3. Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it is browned. Add in the chopped onion and garlic, and continue to cook for 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened. Next, add the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes.
4. Layer the baked spaghetti: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, start by layering half of the cooked spaghetti at the bottom. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the spaghetti, followed by the remaining half of the pasta. Pour the beef and tomato sauce over the top layer of spaghetti, ensuring that it’s fully covered. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly on top.
5. Bake and serve: Bake the spaghetti in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove it from the oven, and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
History and Curiosities
Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese is believed to have its origins in the 1950s or 1960s, during a period when casseroles and one-dish meals were becoming increasingly popular in American home cooking. The dish became a favorite among busy families as it combined the convenience of a casserole with the comforting flavors of traditional pasta dishes.
As spaghetti was already a beloved staple in American households, primarily due to the influence of Italian-American immigrants, this baked twist gained widespread appeal. However, Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese is not an Italian dish but rather an American creation that highlights the blending of culinary traditions.
This dish has many variations, and some cooks will add different ingredients or substitute different types of pasta to suit their specific tastes. For instance, one may use ground turkey or sausage instead of ground beef. Others may choose to add vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms to make the dish heartier and more nutritious. Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese is a versatile recipe that showcases the delightful fusion of culinary cultures and continues to bring comfort to dinner tables around the world.
