Description
Hearty Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole brings comfort and indulgence to classic pasta dishes. Rich layers of creamy cheese, savory meat sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound spaghetti, cooked al dente
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
Cheese Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Supplementary Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Cook spaghetti in a large pot until perfectly al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté chopped onions and minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until translucent and fragrant.
- Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet, cooking thoroughly and breaking into small crumbles. Drain excess fat.
- Pour marinara sauce and diced tomatoes into the meat mixture, allowing to simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Create the first layer in the casserole dish by spreading half the cooked spaghetti evenly across the bottom.
- Distribute half the meat sauce over the spaghetti layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Carefully spread ricotta cheese across the meat sauce, then sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Repeat layering process with remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, and cheese blend.
- Generously top the casserole with breadcrumbs and an additional layer of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden and cheese becomes bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content without sacrificing flavor.
- Enhance protein by substituting half the meat with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Toast breadcrumbs beforehand for extra crispiness and deeper golden color on the casserole surface.
- Allow casserole to cool slightly before serving to help layers set and make cutting cleaner and more precise.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 645 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg