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Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole: The Ultimate Family Comfort

Enjoy this Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole, a creamy, cheesy, and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Base
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Can substitute with vegetable or canola oil.
  • 1 medium Onion (finely diced) Red or yellow onion can be used.
  • 3 cloves Garlic (minced) Feel free to adjust according to taste.
  • 1 pound Lean Ground Beef Ground turkey or chicken are suitable alternatives.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper Adjust to taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning Can use homemade blend.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes Omit or reduce for less spice.
  • 2 cups Marinara Sauce Store-bought or homemade.
  • 8 ounces Spaghetti Noodles Any pasta shape may work as a substitute.
For the Cheesy Layer
  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese Can use mascarpone or vegan cream cheese.
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese Cottage cheese can be used as a substitute.
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder Omit if preferred.
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Minced Onion Can use fresh onion instead.
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Parsley Can swap for fresh parsley.
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (freshly shredded) Provolone can be used as an alternative.

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • casserole dish

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté for about 2 minutes until onion is translucent.
  3. Add ground beef to the skillet, cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat.
  4. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions but reduce the cooking time by 3 minutes. Drain and mix with remaining marinara sauce.
  6. In a separate bowl, combine cream cheese, ricotta, dried minced onion, garlic powder, dried parsley, and remaining Italian seasoning. Mix until smooth.
  7. Spray casserole dish with cooking spray. Layer half of the spaghetti mixture, spread cheese mixture, then top with remaining spaghetti.
  8. Spoon meat sauce over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
  9. Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 28gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 750mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For best results, follow the expert tips regarding cooking times and storing leftovers.

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