Description
Baked Million Dollar Spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy, and hearty casserole that combines tender spaghetti with a rich meat sauce, cream cheese, and generous layers of mozzarella. This comforting dish is a delightful cross between baked ziti and lasagna, perfect for family dinners or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti, cooked two minutes shy of package directions and drained
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 6 cups Quick and Easy Marinara Sauce, divided
Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature while you prepare the layers.
- Cook the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over high heat, combine ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and onions are softened. Drain excess liquid from the pan, then stir in 1 cup of marinara sauce to infuse the meat mixture with rich flavor. Turn off the heat.
- Toss Pasta with Marinara: In a large bowl, mix the cooked spaghetti with the remaining 5 cups of marinara sauce, ensuring every strand is well coated.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with 2 cups of shredded mozzarella until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread half of the pasta-sauce mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer the cream cheese and mozzarella mixture on top, then add the remaining pasta and sauce mixture over that. Spoon the meat sauce mixture evenly across the top and finish by sprinkling the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to melt.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before garnishing with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness.
Notes
- Cooking spaghetti two minutes less than package directions ensures it doesn’t become mushy during baking.
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meat option.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat nicely.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
