Meet your new favorite comfort food, the Royal Spaghetti Bake! This dish combines the classic flavors of spaghetti and marinara with a creamy, cheesy twist. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks, it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Spaghetti is the backbone of this dish, providing the classic pasta texture we all love. Ground beef adds a hearty, meaty flavor that pairs perfectly with the sauce. For an earthy note, we have sliced mushrooms, which also add a bit of texture. The marinara sauce brings everything together with its rich tomato base.
The cottage cheese and ricotta cheese create a creamy layer that melts beautifully. Mozzarella cheese offers that gooey, stretchy top layer, while Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, salty finish. Olive oil helps brown the mushrooms and beef, contributing to the overall flavor. A sprinkle of garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper seasons the dish just right.
This Royal Spaghetti Bake pairs beautifully with a simple green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette. Add some garlic bread on the side to soak up any extra sauce. A glass of red wine, like a Chianti, complements the rich flavors of the dish.
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. This ensures it’s ready for our bake when we need it. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain and set it aside. This step is crucial for timing everything right.
In a large skillet, heat up the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the sliced mushrooms and let them cook until they’re browned. This should take about 5 minutes. Once they’re ready, add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it’s browned, which should take about 6–8 minutes.
Next, stir in the marinara sauce along with the garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
In a large bowl, mix the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. This will form our creamy cheese layer, adding a rich dimension to the dish.
Now, grab a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread a small amount of the meat sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the cooked spaghetti over this sauce. Spread the cheese mixture over the spaghetti, then top it with the remaining spaghetti and the rest of the meat sauce. Finish it off by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving. This cooling time helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
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