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Million Dollar Spaghetti

A rich and comforting baked spaghetti casserole layered with a savory meat sauce and a creamy, cheesy ricotta blend.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

Meat Sauce
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 14.5 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Cheese Filling
  • 8 ounces spaghetti broken into thirds
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large pot
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Medium mixing bowl

Method
 

Cooking Process
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente; drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crumbly.
  3. Add onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté until softened.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
  5. In a bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, and beaten egg until smooth.
  6. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  7. Layer half the spaghetti, half the ricotta mixture, and half the mozzarella over the sauce.
  8. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, ricotta, and mozzarella, then top with the remaining meat sauce.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Rest for 10 minutes before serving, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Can be frozen unbaked for up to 3 months.