Description
Million dollar spaghetti delivers comfort and indulgence in one delightful casserole. Creamy cheese layers, hearty meat sauce, and tender pasta create a memorable meal that will satisfy hungry families and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 16 ounces (453 grams) spaghetti
Cheeses and Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta or cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar marinara sauce (24 ounces / 680 grams)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter and sauté onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until meat is completely browned and no pink remains.
- Pour marinara sauce into the meat mixture, stirring to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- In a separate mixing bowl, blend ricotta or cream cheese with sour cream until smooth and creamy.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish and spread half of the cooked spaghetti across the bottom.
- Carefully distribute the cheese mixture evenly over the first layer of spaghetti.
- Layer the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese mixture.
- Pour the prepared meat sauce completely over the spaghetti layers.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese across the entire surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until cheese is melted and top is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
Notes
- Make sure to drain spaghetti thoroughly to prevent excess water from making the casserole soggy.
- Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley to the meat sauce for an extra flavor boost and vibrant color.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternative to reduce calories and fat content.
- Prepare the dish ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve, which makes it perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 445 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg