Description
Million dollar spaghetti combines hearty pasta with rich layers of cheese and meat sauce. Comfort classic delivers creamy, cheesy goodness that satisfies deep hunger and delights home cooks seeking simple, delicious meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 pound (454 grams) spaghetti
Meat and Sauce:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt for pasta water
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook spaghetti until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain noodles and gently coat with olive oil to prevent clumping, then set aside.
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until no pink remains. Eliminate excess grease. Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
- Introduce marinara sauce and traditional Italian herbs into the meat mixture. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Allow sauce to simmer and develop flavors for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Create a luxurious cheese blend by thoroughly mixing ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley until smooth and uniform.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a baking dish and layer half the cooked spaghetti across the bottom. Spread the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
- Cover the cheese layer with remaining spaghetti, then generously top with prepared meat sauce. Sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the entire surface.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly crust. The edges should appear slightly crispy and enticing.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving hot and inviting.
Notes
- Prevent pasta clumping by stirring occasionally while cooking and using olive oil after draining to keep noodles separated.
- Drain ground meat thoroughly to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more concentrated sauce flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for richer taste compared to pre-packaged versions, which can taste less vibrant.
- Customize protein by substituting ground beef with turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 505
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 105 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg