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Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti Recipe

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4.1 from 7 reviews

Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti is a hearty and comforting casserole featuring layers of al dente spaghetti, savory ground beef and Italian sausage in rich spaghetti sauce, creamy ricotta and cream cheese mixture, and melty mozzarella cheese, baked to bubbly perfection and garnished with fresh parsley. Perfect for a family dinner or gathering, this dish combines classic Italian flavors with a comforting baked twist.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 16 ounces dried spaghetti

Meat and Sauce

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 45 ounces spaghetti sauce (1 large jar or 2 small jars)

Cheese Mixture

  • 8 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Topping

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the Spaghetti: Cook the dried spaghetti noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside.
  2. Prepare the Meat Sauce: While the spaghetti cooks, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat in a skillet. Cook until no longer pink, then drain excess fat. Stir the cooked meats together with the spaghetti sauce until well combined.
  3. Make the Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, and Italian seasoning. Mix until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
  4. Layer the Casserole: In a 9×13 inch casserole dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked spaghetti noodles evenly over the sauce. Layer half of the meat sauce over the noodles, followed by half of the ricotta cheese mixture, then half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layering with the remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella cheese.
  5. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the assembled casserole into the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the casserole is heated through completely.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Remove the baked spaghetti from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve warm.

Notes

  • For best results, use lean ground beef and Italian sausage to reduce excess grease.
  • You can prepare this casserole a day ahead, keep it refrigerated, and bake it just before serving.
  • Feel free to add extra vegetables such as sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers into the meat sauce for added nutrition and flavor.
  • Use part-skim mozzarella cheese to reduce fat content if desired.
  • Make sure to cook the spaghetti al dente as it will continue to soften while baking.

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