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Million Dollar Spaghetti

This indulgent baked spaghetti casserole features layers of tender pasta, a rich meat sauce, a creamy, savory cheese filling, and plenty of gooey mozzarella, making it a crowd-pleasing family favorite.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

Meat Sauce
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pasta & Cheese Layer
  • 16 ounces spaghetti
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente; drain and set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Meat Sauce
  1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until browned; drain excess fat.
  2. Stir in diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Mix in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it cook for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, to allow flavors to meld.
Cheese Mixture
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, and milk until smooth.
Assembly & Baking
  1. Spread half of the cooked spaghetti in the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Evenly spread the entire ricotta cheese mixture over the spaghetti layer.
  3. Top with the remaining spaghetti, then pour the meat sauce over it, spreading evenly.
  4. Sprinkle 1.5 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce.
  5. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove from oven, sprinkle with the remaining 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese, and bake for another 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For an extra rich flavor, try browning the ground beef with some pancetta. You can also add finely diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat sauce for added vegetables. This dish reheats well and is perfect for meal prepping.