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Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

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4.3 from 11 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a hearty and comforting baked pasta dish layered with savory meat sauce, creamy cheese blends, and melted mozzarella. This classic casserole combines spaghetti with rich ground beef and Italian seasoning, then topped with a luscious mixture of ricotta, cream cheese, and mozzarella cheese, baked to golden perfection for a satisfying family meal.

Ingredients

Pasta and Sauce

  • 16 oz. dried spaghetti
  • 2 x 24 oz. jars pasta sauce (divided)

Meat Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion (peeled and diced)
  • 4 garlic cloves (peeled and finely diced or minced)
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 3 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Cheese Mixture

  • 8 oz. ricotta cheese
  • 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
  • 3 cups mozzarella cheese (divided)

Garnish

  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and cook spaghetti: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Cook the dried spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and then mix the cooked spaghetti with one jar of pasta sauce. Set this mixture aside for layering later.
  2. Prepare meat sauce base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook while stirring until softened and translucent. Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  3. Cook ground beef: Add ground beef to the onion and garlic mixture. Stir frequently, breaking up the meat with the back of a spoon, cooking until the beef is no longer pink. Stir in Italian seasoning and the remaining jar of pasta sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer to meld flavors, then remove from heat.
  4. Make cheese mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, and 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese. Mix well until smooth and evenly blended. Set aside for layering.
  5. Assemble casserole: Spread 1/2 cup of the meat sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Layer half of the spaghetti mixture over the sauce. Spoon the cheese mixture on top of the spaghetti and gently spread it evenly.
  6. Layer remaining ingredients: Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the cheese layer, then top with the rest of the spaghetti. Spread the remaining meat sauce on top completely. Sprinkle the final 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole.
  7. Bake the casserole: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil carefully and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown on top.
  8. Rest and serve: Remove casserole from oven and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy a delicious, cheesy, flavorful spaghetti casserole.

Notes

  • For a creamier texture, ensure cream cheese is softened before mixing.
  • Use freshly grated mozzarella for better melting and flavor.
  • Leftover casserole can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
  • Substitute ground turkey or chicken to reduce fat content if preferred.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://sarabaking.com/million-dollar-spaghetti-casserole-recipe/