Description
Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti is a comforting, creamy baked pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce, layered with a savory meat sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a hearty family dinner or a crowd-pleasing casserole.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Pasta Layer
- 1 lb Regular Spaghetti
- 4 tbsp Salted Butter
- 6-7 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- 3 oz Fresh Shaved Parmesan Cheese
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 lb Ground Beef (Italian Sausage, chicken or turkey will also work)
- 1 cup Yellow Onion, Diced
- 1 cup Green Bell Pepper, Diced
- 24 oz Jar of Spaghetti Sauce
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Sugar
- Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
For the Topping
- 8 oz Freshly Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- Fresh or Dried Chopped Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti in salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Make Cream Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and all pasta seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in shaved Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Combine the cooked spaghetti with the Alfredo cream sauce in a 9×13 inch baking dish, mixing well to coat.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In another skillet, brown the ground beef along with diced onion and green bell pepper. Once cooked, drain excess grease. Add the spaghetti sauce, water, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine and heat through.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the meat sauce evenly over the pasta in the baking dish without stirring it together.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the meat sauce layer.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped fresh or dried parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- Make ahead by assembling the dish a day before baking and refrigerating.
- Freeze the unbaked assembled casserole tightly wrapped for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat in microwave or oven until warmed through.
- You can substitute ground Italian sausage, chicken, or turkey for ground beef.
- Add red pepper flakes to taste for a spicy kick or omit if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
