A delicious and creamy spaghetti dish featuring ground beef, garlic butter, and a rich three-cheese marinara sauce.
Author:Lorenzo Bonucci
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking and Stovetop
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
450 g ground beef
30 g unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely diced
1 teaspoon (5 mL) Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) paprika
½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) salt
¼ teaspoon (1.25 mL) black pepper
¼ teaspoon (1.25 mL) red pepper flakes, optional
700 g marinara or tomato pasta sauce
120 mL heavy cream
60 g grated Parmesan cheese
100 g shredded mozzarella
60 g ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon (5 mL) Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) garlic powder
¼ teaspoon (1.25 mL) black pepper
340 g dry spaghetti
1 tablespoon (15 mL) olive oil
Salt, for the pasta water
100 g shredded mozzarella (for topping)
25 g grated Parmesan (for topping)
1 tablespoon (4 g) chopped fresh parsley
Extra red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve about 120 mL (½ cup) of pasta water, then drain.
Cook the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Add the garlic butter: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes, until fragrant and the onion begins to soften.
Season with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
Make the marinara sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and heavy cream. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
Add the Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta. Stir until the cheeses melt into the sauce and it becomes creamy and rich.
Combine with spaghetti: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet. Toss thoroughly until every strand is coated. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon (15 mL) at a time.
Make it extra cheesy: Transfer the spaghetti to a greased baking dish if desired. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.
Bake: Place under a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 8–12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Serve: Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve hot with extra Parmesan.
Notes
For a spicier dish, add more red pepper flakes.
Feel free to substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
This dish can be made ahead of time and baked just before serving.