Million Dollar Spaghetti Bake

Craving a meal that feels both indulgent and comforting? This cheesy baked spaghetti has everything you love in a pasta dish but with a rich, layered twist.

Imagine tender spaghetti baked to perfection, surrounded by a creamy cheese blend, savory meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese on top.

It’s the ultimate dinner that everyone at your table will rave about, and it’s as satisfying as it sounds.

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes

Photo byGLP

Ingredients:

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 5 cups of your favorite marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), sliced thin and divided
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
• 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti one minute less than package instructions. Drain, then mix in one cup of the marinara sauce and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it’s no longer pink. Add the onions and garlic, cooking until softened. Mix in one teaspoon of the Italian seasoning, followed by the rest of the marinara sauce. Remove from heat.
4. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of mozzarella with cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, parmesan, and the remaining Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Line the bottom of your baking dish with half of the butter slices. Layer half of the spaghetti on top of the butter, followed by the cheese mixture. Place the remaining spaghetti over the cheese layer, top with the remaining butter slices, and pour the meat sauce over everything.
6. Finish by sprinkling the rest of the mozzarella on top. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!

Substitutions and Tips:

• Try ground turkey or Italian sausage in place of ground beef for a lighter or more flavorful variation.
• If you want to make this vegetarian, simply omit the meat and add in some sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers.
• Don’t have ricotta on hand? Cottage cheese works well as a substitute, adding a similar creamy texture.

Storage Directions:
Leftovers? No problem! Keep this dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the oven or microwave until the cheese is bubbly again. For longer storage, freeze individual portions for a quick meal later—just thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat when ready.

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