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Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

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A quick and easy cheesy comfort meal featuring layers of spaghetti, seasoned ground beef, and a blend of cheeses baked to golden perfection. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 8 ounces spaghetti, cooked al dente and drained
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese (small-curd preferred)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Optional toppings: fresh basil or parsley, chopped
  • Optional toppings: red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef for 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Add chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in marinara sauce, add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and grated Parmesan. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  7. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
  8. Add half of the cooked spaghetti evenly over the sauce.
  9. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta and spread gently.
  10. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar and 3/4 cup mozzarella over the ricotta layer.
  11. Repeat with remaining spaghetti, ricotta mixture, and cheeses.
  12. Pour remaining meat sauce over the top and finish with the last 1 cup cheddar and 3/4 cup mozzarella.
  13. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Cover loosely with foil if browning too fast.
  14. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  15. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta as it will bake further in the oven. Brown meat well and drain excess fat to avoid greasiness. Taste sauce before adding salt. Use fresh garlic and onion for better flavor. Rest casserole after baking to set and improve slicing. If sauce is watery, simmer longer to thicken. Can substitute ground beef with turkey, chicken, sausage, or plant-based alternatives. For gluten-free, use gluten-free spaghetti. For dairy-free, substitute ricotta with dairy-free cottage cheese alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti casserole, cheesy casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, baked pasta, ground beef casserole

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/million-dollar-spaghetti-casserole-recipe-easy-cheesy-comfort-meal/