Description
Million dollar spaghetti brings comfort and indulgence to dinner tables with its rich layers of pasta, meat sauce, and creamy cheese. Hearty and satisfying, this casserole delivers classic flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature, preparing a welcoming environment for the upcoming culinary creation.
- Immerse spaghetti strands in boiling water, transforming them into perfectly tender noodles. Carefully drain and reserve.
- Melt rich butter in a spacious skillet, introducing finely chopped onions and aromatic garlic. Sauté until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into crumbly pieces. Cook thoroughly until the meat achieves a deep, appetizing brown color. Remove any excess liquefied fat.
- Pour marinara sauce into the meat mixture, seasoning with salt and pepper. Allow the sauce to gently simmer, melding flavors for several minutes.
- Craft a luxurious cheese blend by combining cream cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta, and half the mozzarella. Whisk until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Prepare a generously greased baking dish, laying down an initial layer of cooked spaghetti. Spread the decadent cheese mixture evenly across the pasta foundation.
- Construct a second pasta layer, then lavishly cover with the robust meat sauce.
- Crown the dish with remaining mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, creating an enticing golden topping.
- Transfer the assembled masterpiece to the preheated oven. Bake uncovered until the surface bubbles with excitement and transforms into a gorgeous golden hue.
- Before serving, garnish with fresh parsley, adding a vibrant final touch to this comforting dish.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese to ensure smooth blending without lumps when mixing cheeses.
- Drain meat thoroughly to prevent excess grease from making the dish soggy and heavy.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternative.
- Enhance flavor by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano into the cheese mixture for extra depth and complexity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg