This version of baked spaghetti is sure to tempt your taste buds. Filled with ground beef, spaghetti and a creamy blue cheese sauce, it’s definitely not your normal baked spaghetti!
I kind of feel like a scrooge. Here we are, just days before Thanksgiving, and I’m posting about spaghetti??
I’m not a scrooge. I promise. In fact, I think that Thanksgiving is probably my most favorite holiday. But for some reason, I just didn’t go crazy with the Thanksgiving recipes this year. And really, even though Thanksgiving dinner is probably the most important dinner of the year, there are still 364 other nights that we need dinner. And what we need when times are crazy and all we are thinking about is turkey and mashed potatoes, are easy dinner ideas. So I’m totally helping you out here!!
This is one of those unexpected winners. I’m normally a total planner, and I have to have my menu plan or everything falls apart. Well, I found myself without a plan one night. As I was searching through the pantry, trying to see what I could come up with for dinner without running to the grocery store, the side of a box of pasta caught my eye. Baked spaghetti. With beef and blue cheese.
Yep – you could say I was intrigued. And as luck would have it, I actually had everything on hand, including the blue cheese. Because I love cheese. And I’m a cheese hoarder.
We devoured this. I was afraid that the blue cheese wouldn’t be a hit with the kids, but the fact that it was baked spaghetti distracted them enough, I think. 🙂 I actually didn’t even have plans to photograph this and blog it, but I had to rush and take pics just as the sun was leaving because I loved it so much.
We don’t have baked spaghetti very often, but since making this version, I’ve become a bit obsessed. This definitely won’t be the last baked spaghetti recipe that we have!!
Beef and Blue Cheese Baked Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken or beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz blue cheese crumbled
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain and reserve.
- Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove the beef to a bowl and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in the same skillet. Add the onion and cook until it starts to soften, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle in the garlic powder. Add the flour and cook for another 2 minutes. Slowly stir in the broth, and bring to a boil. Add the cream and the blue cheese, return to a boil, then let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Combine the blue cheese sauce, cooked beef and cooked spaghetti noodles. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake until it is hot and bubbly, 15-20 minutes. Garnish with the chives and serve hot.
Recipe Notes:
More Weeknight Spaghetti Favs:
Yvonne Mancini says
I added a bunch of roughly chopped fresh spinach to the mix before I baked it . Juice of one lemon to the sauce and several good grinds of nutmeg. What a great recipe, rave reviews from my husband!!
Kenneth Cook says
I have made this several times, and here are my notes:
It works just as well with ground turkey.
Adding some sautéed chopped bell peppers is good for more color (and taste, nutrition, etc.)
Finally, for a REAL treat, try using a smoked blue cheese; it’s to die for!
Missy H. says
I noticed this recipe on a box of pasta in y pantry too and it has since become a family favorite!
Donna @ The Slow Roasted Italian says
I love this. Pantry cooking is one of my favorite ways to cook. Rather than plan it out, I work with what I have on hand and I come up with some incredible dishes. This is such a creative way to make baked spaghetti. I am head over heals in love with blue cheese and this is going on my list.
So funny I am a total cheese hoarder. I never put it that way, but it definitely fits. LOL
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
I love this tasty baked spaghetti dish! So flavorful, I’m sure!!!
Joanne says
You’re not a scrooge! You just realize that we still need to eat dinner even when it’s Thanksgiving week! Love that blue cheese sauce.
Liz says
Thank you for the nice pasta recipes.
Chels R. says
Oh my gosh-love this! My daughters are going to be thrilled when this goes on the menu because they LOVE blue cheese and Christian loves spaghetti-win/win!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
It is so nice to see this non-thanksgiving post. Not that I’m opposed to them, but it is just refreshing against the sea of them!
Karishma says
Yum, this sounds delicious! Baked spaghetti is so good. I am very intrigued by the blue cheese!
Chris @ Celebrations At Home says
I love blue cheese. This sounds fantastic!
Linda | Brunch with Joy says
Holy yum! I might have this baked spaghetti and let myself get a break from Thanksgiving meals. Sounds sooo good.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
I love finding different spaghetti options since my daughter is allergic to tomatoes. I’ll have to give this one a try, she loves blue cheese.