Cheesy Beefy Baked Spaghetti

THIS AMAZING BAKED SPAGHETTI IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CASSEROLES EVER!

TONS MELTED CHEESE AND SEASONED BEEF, IT IS THE PERFECT DISH FOR POTLUCKS, FAMILY GATHERINGS, OR A WEEK-NIGHT DINNER EVERYONE WILL LOVE!

EVERYONE IS SURE TO LOVE IT!!! MY FAMILY LOVES IT TOO. IT CERTAINLY ISN’T HEALTH FOOD BUT IT TAKES THE CROWN FOR COMFORT FOOD! 

YOU CAN USE WHATEVER BLEND OF CHEESES YOU LIKE BEST, ROMANO AND PARMESAN I ALWAYS LOVE TO ADD ONE OR THE OTHER, OR EVEN BOTH! 

INGREDIENTS  

• 1 box, 16 oz spaghetti noodles
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 jar, 24 oz meatless pasta sauce
• 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 cups small curd cottage cheese, divided OR Ricotta

INSTRUCTIONS

• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente
• While pasta is cooking, prepare sauce
• In a large skillet, brown ground beef until just about done
• Add onion and cook until no pink remains in beef and onions are soft
• Add garlic, pepper, onion powder, parsley and basil and stir together
• Stir in pasta sauce
• Bring to simmer and cook 5-6 minutes or until flavors have combined well
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• Coat 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray
• Remove pasta from stove and drain well, transfer to large bowl
• Add eggs, salt and butter to pasta and toss to combine
• Place half of the pasta mixture in the baking dish
• Add half of the meat sauce, then half of the cottage cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese
• Repeat layers
• Cover and bake for 30 minutes, uncover and continue baking for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly
• Let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving
• Serve with fresh herbs if desired
• ENJOY!