Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°

Step 2

Cook spaghetti in salted, boiling water - don't overcook!

Step 3

Drain. Add 12 ounces (1/2 a jar) of marinara sauce to the spaghetti and set aside.

Step 4

Add onion and ground beef to pan.

Step 5

Saute until beef is cooked and onion is almost translucent.

Step 6

Add garlic, smoked paprika, and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning; cook for a minute or two more.

Step 7

Drain excess fat from pan.

Step 8

Add half the sauce to the meat mixture and stir well. Set aside.

Step 9

Heat the cream cheese in the microwave until soft.

Step 10

Mix 1/2 cup of the Mozzarella, sour cream, cottage cheese, and cream cheese with 1 teaspoon of the Italian seasoning.

Step 11

Blend until smooth and well mixed.

Step 12

Place 8 squares of butter in the bottom of the 13x9-inch pan.

Step 13

Cover with half the spaghetti.

Step 14

Spoon the cheese mixture over the spaghetti and gently smooth into a layer.

Step 15

Sprinkle with 1-1/2 cups of Mozzarella.

Step 16

Cover with the remaining spaghetti.

Step 17

Add the meat sauce in a smooth layer.

Step 18

Add the remaining sauce over the meat.

Step 19

Cover with the remaining cheese.

Step 20

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Step 21

Check and if the cheese is getting too brown cover with aluminum foil and bake 10-15 more minutes - or until the center registers 165° on an insta-read thermometer.

Step 22

Remove from the oven and let stand 5-10 minutes.