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Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

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Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and creamy casserole that layers tender spaghetti noodles with a savory ground beef marinara sauce and a luscious blend of cream cheese, ricotta, and mozzarella. Baked to golden perfection, this comforting dish is perfect for family dinners and serves 12 generously.

Ingredients

Meat and Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup finely diced onions
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
  • 3 cups marinara sauce, divided

Pasta

  • 1 pound spaghetti noodles
  • Kosher salt, to taste (for pasta water)

Cheese Mixture

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Topping

  • 2 cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish lightly and set it aside for assembly.
  2. Sauté Aromatics and Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and sauté for about 3 minutes until translucent. Then add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Add ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks, and sauté until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Mix Beef with Sauce: Drain any excess fat from the beef mixture. Return the beef to the pan, season with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and stir in 2 cups of marinara sauce. Mix well and set aside.
  4. Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti noodles and cook for 3 minutes less than the package's al dente time to ensure the noodles stay firm during baking. Drain and return the noodles to the pot. Stir in 1 cup marinara sauce until well combined, then set aside.
  5. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, garlic powder, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly until smooth and evenly blended.
  6. Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the spaghetti noodles evenly in the prepared baking dish. Layer the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles. Add the remaining spaghetti noodles on top in a single layer. Then, evenly spread the beef and marinara sauce mixture over the top. Finally, sprinkle the freshly grated mozzarella cheese generously over everything.
  7. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly. For a deeper golden crust, broil for 2-3 minutes, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
  8. Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and serve immediately while hot and melty.

Notes

  • For best flavor, soften the cream cheese to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps.
  • You can substitute marinara sauce with your favorite pasta sauce or homemade sauce.
  • To reduce fat, use lean ground turkey instead of ground beef or low-fat cheeses.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • To make the top extra crispy, add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese along with the mozzarella before baking.

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