Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta and beef. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the spaghetti 1 minute shy of al dente; drain. Meanwhile, brown the beef with the garlic, 6-7 minutes; stir in the marinara and Italian seasoning and simmer 5 minutes.
- Mix the creamy layer. Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, then stir in the ricotta, sour cream, and parmesan until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
- Layer it rich. Spread half the spaghetti in a greased 9x13-inch dish. Dollop and spread the entire cream-cheese mixture over it, then the remaining spaghetti. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the top and sprinkle with 2 cups mozzarella.
- Bake until golden. Bake 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling. Rest 10 minutes so the layers set, then slice and serve.
🍝 Layer logic
Softened (not melted) cream cheese beats smooth; cold cream cheese stays lumpy. The 10-minute rest is crucial — slice too soon and the layers slide. Cottage cheese swaps 1:1 for ricotta if that's what you have.
Save for later
Love this recipe?
Save it to your "Easy Dinner Recipes" board so this viral cream-cheese layers is always one click away.
📌 Pin it for later❓ Common questions
Can I make it ahead?
Yes — assemble up to 24 hours ahead, refrigerate, and add 10 minutes to the bake time.
Can I freeze it?
Yes — assemble, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
What can I use instead of ricotta?
Cottage cheese is the classic swap and melts beautifully into the creamy layer.