Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and comforting baked pasta dish featuring layers of creamy cheese, savory ground beef, and tangy marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella. This easy-to-make casserole combines tender spaghetti with a flavorful meat sauce and a luscious cheese blend, baked to golden perfection for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
- 3 cups marinara sauce, divided
- 1 pound spaghetti
- Kosher salt, to taste (for pasta water)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat and brown meat: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the finely diced onion and minced garlic until the meat is cooked through and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease. Season the meat mixture with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and stir in 2 cups of marinara sauce. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook it until it is slightly undercooked—about 3 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente. Drain the pasta well and toss it with 1 cup of marinara sauce to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Make cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, garlic powder, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Layer ingredients: In the prepared baking dish, spread half of the sauced spaghetti evenly across the bottom. Dollop and spread the cheese mixture over the spaghetti layer. Add the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese mixture, then pour the prepared meat sauce over it in an even layer. Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden. For a crispier top, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of the meat sauce.
- Make sure not to fully cook the spaghetti initially to avoid overcooking after baking.
- For extra flavor, add some red pepper flakes to the meat sauce if you like a bit of heat.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to adapt the recipe to dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
