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Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

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4 from 13 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Description

Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and comforting baked pasta casserole featuring Italian sausage, a blend of creamy cheeses, and marinara sauce. This hearty dish layers tender spaghetti tossed in flavorful sauce with a luscious cheese mixture, then baked to bubbly, golden perfection. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, it delivers warm, cheesy satisfaction every time.

Ingredients

Pasta and Meat

  • 1 pound uncooked spaghetti
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Sauces and Cheese Mixture

  • 2 (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce
  • 8 ounces cream cheese (1 block, softened)
  • 8 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Toppings and Seasoning

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and move the oven rack to the top third position to ensure even baking and browning of the casserole topping.
  2. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and uniform. Set aside.
  3. Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti for 2 minutes less than the package directions indicate. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot it was cooked in.
  4. Cook Sausage and Onion: While the pasta cooks, add the Italian sausage and chopped onion to a skillet over medium-high heat. Break the sausage into small pieces as it cooks, and continue cooking until the meat is browned and fully cooked through, approximately 10 minutes.
  5. Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes into the skillet. Cook together for about 1 minute until fragrant. Spoon out any excess fat from the pan to avoid greasiness.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked sausage mixture into the pot with the pasta, then pour in the marinara sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly using tongs or two large spoons to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
  7. Layer Pasta in Baking Dish: Spoon half of the pasta and sauce mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it evenly to form the first layer.
  8. Add Cheese Layer: Carefully spread the prepared cheese mixture over the pasta layer. It does not need to be perfect and may be slightly messy.
  9. Add Remaining Pasta and Top with Mozzarella: Add the remaining pasta and sauce mixture on top of the cheese, spreading it evenly. Then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese uniformly over the top.
  10. Bake and Broil: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and broil for a few minutes, watching carefully until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  11. Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 to 10 minutes to set. Cut into portions with a spatula, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve warm. Note that the layers may be slightly mixed when hot, but this helps keep leftovers moist.

Notes

  • Use Italian sausage for the best authentic flavor; mild or spicy works depending on preference.
  • Cooking pasta slightly under al dente is important as it will continue cooking in the oven without becoming mushy.
  • Be cautious when broiling so the cheese does not burn; watch closely during this step.
  • This recipe is best served fresh but makes excellent leftovers that reheat well.
  • For a less spicy version, omit the red pepper flakes.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://saraflavors.com/million-dollar-spaghetti-recipe/