Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese

Step 1

Melt butter in a pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion. Cook until soft and fragrant.

Step 2

Set heat to high. Add beef and cook until brown. Make sure to break up the beef as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper. Pour pasta sauce, beef broth, sugar, Italian seasoning, and bell pepper.

Step 3

Bring to a simmer. Lower heat and cover with a lid. Simmer for 30 minutes. If liquid evaporates too quickly, add water. We want it saucy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4

Pre-heat oven to 190c/350f.

Step 5

Cook pasta in lightly salted boiling water as per package directions, minus 2 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup pasta water then drain.

Step 6

Heat milk in a large pot. Add cream cheese, whisk and cook until smooth. Add in cheddar cheese and stir until smooth. Add pasta and 1/3 of the meat sauce. Stir until spaghetti is thoroughly coated. If it's too thick, just add pasta water 1/4 cup at a time to loosen the texture.

Step 7

Assemble in a baking dish: one layer if using two shallow baking dishes. Spread meat sauce evenly on top then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. If using one deep baking dish, assemble in two layers. Spread meat sauce in between and on top. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese.

Step 8

Loosely cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Bake for another 10 minutes uncovered until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve and enjoy!