Description
A delicious and comforting cheesy pasta bake made with ground beef, vegetables, and topped with melted cheeses.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 oz spaghetti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef (turkey, or chicken)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup diced onions (I used red onions. Use what you like.)
- 1/2 cup diced green peppers
- 1/2 cup diced red peppers
- 4 garlic cloves (Minced)
- 4 oz cream cheese (Softened)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan Reggiano Cheese
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
- 3 fresh basil leaves (chiffonade, sliced into strips)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti in accordance with the instructions on the package. Prep your vegetables while the spaghetti cooks.
- Place a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven on medium-high heat. (I use the same one I used to cook the pasta).
- Add the ground beef. Break down the beef with a meat chopper. Drain any excess fat from the beef.
- Season the meat with 1 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes until fully cooked through. Add in the onions, green peppers, red peppers, and garlic. Saute until the onions and garlic are fragrant.
- Add in the crushed tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, bay leaf, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir.
- Taste repeatedly and adjust spices as necessary to suit your taste. The taste of the sauce is key to the overall taste of the dish.
- Add in the cream cheese and grated Parmesan. Stir until melted and combined.
- Fold in the cooked spaghetti and stir.
- Adjust the heat to medium-low and place the lid on the pot. Simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes. The sauce and pasta should meld together.
- Preheat the oven to Broil.
- Open the pot and remove the bay leaf.
- Sprinkle the cheddar cheese and mozzarella over the spaghetti.
- Broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and browned.
- Cool before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to use any ground meat or vegetables you like.
- Adjust the quantity of spices based on your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg