Description
A rich and creamy Italian spaghetti dish featuring ground beef in a savory tomato-based sauce. This comforting meal is perfect for a family dinner, offering both creamy texture and hearty flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Spaghetti:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz spaghetti
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- For the Creamy Sauce:
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- For the Spaghetti:
- In a large pot of salted water, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the spaghetti cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the ground beef and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce over low heat for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- In a separate small saucepan, combine the cream cheese, heavy cream, and milk. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the cream cheese is fully melted and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Once the creamy sauce is smooth, stir in the mozzarella cheese until melted and incorporated. Pour the creamy sauce into the skillet with the meat sauce and mix together well.
- Gently fold in the cooked spaghetti, tossing to coat the pasta with the creamy beef sauce. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until well combined.
- Serve the spaghetti hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- If you want a richer flavor, you can use half-and-half instead of regular milk in the creamy sauce.
- For a more savory kick, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the meat sauce.
- This dish can easily be made ahead. Store the creamy spaghetti in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or milk to restore its creamy texture.
- To make it lighter, substitute the heavy cream and cream cheese with Greek yogurt or a low-fat cream alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg