Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti

Last week we had dinner over at some of our good friends’ house. Since I had all the ingredients already, we decided to cook Baked Spaghetti. I have to say that trying to cook a “skinny” recipe is almost impossible at Anna Frances house. She tells me to do what my heart really wants, but what my thighs don't. I swear I kept hearing “Karrie, add more cheese!”. I mean I am a girl that loves her some cheese, but I think Anna Frances might beat me in this love affair. If Anna Frances ever says she is making her Grandmother’s Mac and Cheese, excuse yourself from the kitchen while she makes it and adds the twelve pounds of cheese to it…BUT I tell you what, it is so dang delicious! Maybe, I will get her to share her recipe with everyone!

Anyways, this recipe was awesome! Eric and Hunter suggested adding Panko break crumbs to it, but I didn’t think it was necessary. It is a good idea though, and I might try it next time. I didn’t change much besides healthier ingredients. I used whole wheat noodles, 93% lean beef, 1/3 less fat cream cheese, onion powder, garlic powder and reduce fat mozzarella. You can also use whatever kind of marinara sauce you want since there isn’t a specific kind it calls for. Anna Frances made a salad and Sister Schubert Rolls to serve with the Baked Spaghetti. 

Ingredients

1 lb. whole wheat noodles, cooked two minutes shy of directions and drained

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 tbsp onion powder or 1 medium onion, chopped

¼ tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves of garlic, chopped

½ teaspoon Kosher salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

6 cups Marinara Sauce

8 ounces 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened

3 cups Reduced Fat shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

• In a large skillet, add the beef, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper into the pan and cook on high. Once browned, turn off the heat, drain the liquid left in the pan, and mix in one cup of the marinara sauce.

• Add the cooked spaghetti to the remaining 5 cups of the marinara sauce and toss to combine.

• Mix the cream cheese and 2 cups of mozzarella cheese in a bowl.

• Add half the pasta/sauce to the bottom of a 9x13 pan.

• Add the cream cheese mixture and top with the remaining pasta/sauce mixture.

• Add the meat sauce mixture on top of the pasta and top with remaining cup of mozzarella cheese.

• Cover and bake for 30 minutes.

• Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Happy Eating! 

Original Recipe- http://dinnerthendessert.com/baked-million-dollar-spaghetti/