MILLION DOLLAR SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE
Meet your new go-to pasta bake for a crowd: Million Dollar Spaghetti! Creamy, cheesy and full of great Italian flavor, this easy casserole dinner is a sure winner!
Author: Yellowblissroad/Photo credit to yellowblissroad.com
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- ½ cup finely diced onions
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
- 3 cups marinara sauce, divided
- 1 pound spaghetti
- Kosher salt, to taste (for the pasta water)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9" x 13" pan and set aside.
- Spray a large saute pan with cooking spray and heat over medium high heat.
- Add onion and saute for 3 minutes.
- Add garlic and saute 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and saute breaking up until browned.
- Drain beef and return to pan. Season with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and mix well with 2 cups marinara sauce and set aside.
- While the beef cooks, boil spaghetti in well salted water for 3 minutes less than the al dente time listed on the package.
- Drain and return to the pot and mix well to combine with 1 cup marinara sauce. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine cream cheese, ricotta cheese, garlic powder and remaining teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Mix well.
- Place half the spaghetti in an even layer in the 9" x 13" pan.
- Evenly spread the cheese mixture over the top of the spaghetti.
- Place the remaining spaghetti in a single layer over the top of the cheese.
- Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly over the top of the spaghetti.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. If you want it browner, broil for 2-3 minutes, but keep a close eye on it so the cheese doesn't burn. Serve immediately.