Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and comforting baked spaghetti casserole that combines savory ground beef and Italian sausage with a creamy cheese mixture and marinara sauce. This indulgent family-friendly recipe offers layers of al dente pasta, flavorful meat sauce, and melted cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection. A perfect dish for busy weeknights or special gatherings, it can be assembled ahead and easily reheated.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the spaghetti until just al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside, so it doesn’t overcook later in the oven.
- Make Meat Sauce: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until browned. Drain any excess fat to keep the sauce from being greasy. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Pour in the marinara sauce and reduce heat to let it simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, sour cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy for an evenly flavorful layer.
- Assemble Layers: Spread half of the cooked spaghetti evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer all of the cheese mixture over the spaghetti and spread it evenly. Add the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese layer. Pour the simmered meat sauce over the top and spread to distribute evenly.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the assembled layers. Dot the surface with small pieces of unsalted butter to enhance richness and help achieve a golden crust.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the baked spaghetti to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. If baking directly from chilled, add 10 extra minutes to the bake time.
- For a vegetable boost, try mixing chopped spinach into the cheese mixture.
- Million Dollar Spaghetti freezes well and makes excellent leftovers for future meals.
