The Ultimate Layered Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti Casserole

The Ultimate Layered Million Dollar Baked Spaghe

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Preparation time:25 Mins

Cooking time:01 Hrs

Servings:8 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil (Extra Virgin recommended)
• 1.5 lb Ground Beef (85/15)
• 1 large Yellow Onion (Finely diced)
• 4 cloves Garlic (Minced)
• 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
• 28 oz can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1 tsp Dried Basil
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1/2 cup Beef Broth or Red Wine
• Salt and Black Pepper to taste
• 16 oz box Spaghetti
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (To toss cooked pasta)
• Salt (For pasta water, approx. 1 Tbsp)
• 15 oz tub Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese (Full-fat)
• 4 oz Cream Cheese (Full-fat, softened)
• 1 Large Egg (Lightly beaten)
• 1/2 cup Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Tbsp Dried Parsley
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 2 cups Low-Moisture Mozzarella (Grated, divided)

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease the 9x13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, softened cream cheese, beaten egg, Parmesan, parsley, garlic powder, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until completely smooth and homogeneous. Set aside.
• Heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned. Drain off all excess fat. Reduce the heat to medium, add the diced onion and cook for 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste; cook for 1 minute.
• Deglaze the pan with the beef broth or red wine, scraping up any browned bits. Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and bay leaf. Season generously. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover partially, and cook for 20 minutes to deepen the flavour. Remove the bay leaf.
• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook only until al dente (1-2 minutes less than package directions). Drain the pasta immediately and toss with 1 Tbsp of olive oil to prevent sticking.
• Pour half of the prepared meat sauce into the bottom of the greased baking dish and spread evenly. Add the cooked spaghetti to the bowl with the ricotta mixture, plus 1/4 cup of the reserved meat sauce, and gently fold until the noodles are thoroughly coated in the creamy mix.
• Carefully pour the coated spaghetti mixture over the sauce base in the baking dish. Spread it out, then sprinkle 1/2 cup of the grated mozzarella directly over the spaghetti layer. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top, and sprinkle the remaining 1.5 cups of mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
• Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminium foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	800 kcal
Protein	47 g
Fat	40 g
Carbs	75 g
Fiber	6 g
Sodium	900 mg

Recipe Info

Category	Main Course
Cuisine	Italian-American

Hungry for Gold: Your Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole

Seriously, who needs a fancy holiday when you can have this? If you are craving true, ultimate comfort food casserole , stop scrolling right now.

I am so excited to finally share my definitive Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe with you! It’s the pasta dish that genuinely changed my life.

Why This Baked Spaghetti Recipe is an Investment

This isn't just basic baked spaghetti; it’s a true showstopper. It takes the familiar concept of a baked pasta dish and layers it up with ridiculous richness.

We’re building a glorious marriage of hearty meat sauce and a luscious ricotta and cream cheese pasta bake .

You might think mastering the Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti Casserole is difficult. Honestly, it looks complicated, but it’s just a medium difficulty recipe.

We have three components—the sauce, the cheese, and the noodles—and they are all simple to manage.

Give yourself about 95 minutes total, and you will have pure gold. This yields eight huge, satisfying servings. It truly is the perfect dinner recipe for a crowd or meal prep for the week.

Lessons Learned: The Power of Layers

I remember the first time I tried to slice this immediately after pulling it out of the oven. Disaster! It ran all over the plate like soup.

I learned the hard way that structure matters.

We want beautiful stacks, not slop, you know? That mandatory rest time is crucial for setting up the perfect layered baked spaghetti .

It makes all the difference when it comes to serving.

The Benefit of Cheesy Spaghetti Perfection

While I won't pretend this is diet food, it is absolutely protein-packed thanks to the beef and all that glorious, whole-fat dairy.

It’s pure fuel for the soul, truthfully. The real benefit? It freezes like a dream, making epic leftovers.

This recipe answers the question, " How to make million dollar spaghetti " that tastes richer than anything you’ve had from a takeaway.

It is the definition of cheesy spaghetti perfection. The combination of textures—firm noodles, velvety cream, and the crispy cheese crust—is unmatched.

This is what makes this specific Baked Spaghetti Recipe stand out from the rest.

Are you ready to dive in and learn how to make this rich, flavour bomb? Let’s get straight to the essentials we need.

How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Essential Shopping List

You want to make the best baked pasta ever? Listen up. This isn't just any Baked Spaghetti Recipe . This is the famous Million Dollar Spaghetti .

To get that amazing, rich flavor, we need to treat the ingredients like gold. Don't skimp here! This recipe is the definition of an ultimate comfort food casserole and a perfect Dinner recipe for a crowd .

Getting Started: Your Ingredients Checklist

Honestly, the biggest challenge I had when I first tried this was using rubbish cheese. You need the good stuff! This isn't the time for low-fat nonsense.

We are aiming for a luxurious, smooth Ricotta and cream cheese pasta bake .

The Hearty Foundation

For the meat sauce, we need muscle.

• Ground Beef: 1.5 lb (680 g). I prefer 85/15 beef for flavor, but drain that fat well.
• Spaghetti: A full 16 oz (450 g) box. Cook it al dente —seriously, please!
• Crushed Tomatoes: 28 oz (794 g) can. Get a brand you trust. It makes a huge difference.

The Cheesy Secret Middle Layer

This is what makes it Million Dollar Spaghetti , folks. This creamy layer elevates it from basic pasta to glorious Cheesy Spaghetti .

• Ricotta Cheese: 15 oz (425 g) tub. Must be full-fat.
• Cream Cheese: 4 oz (115 g). Make sure it’s softened, or mixing will be a nightmare.
• Mozzarella: 2 cups (225 g), grated. Use low-moisture mozzarella so it melts properly, not watery.

Flavor Boosters and Substitutions

We need that sauce to taste deep and slow-cooked, even though it's quick. That’s where the aromatics come in. Garlic, oregano, and basil are non-negotiable.

Here’s my hack for incredible depth: use 1/2 cup (120 ml) of beef broth or even a dry red wine instead of water in the sauce.

It deglazes the pan beautifully. If you want a punchier Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti , swap half the beef for spicy Italian sausage.

That subtle fennel twist? Chef’s kiss.

Equipment Essentials for Layered Baked Spaghetti

You don't need fancy tools. If you can boil water and brown meat, you’re halfway there.

The absolute superstar is your baking dish. You need a 9x13 inch (33x23 cm) dish. If you try to cram this into anything smaller, it will overflow in the oven.

Trust me, cleaning melted cheese from the bottom of the oven is a painful job.

You will also need a big ol’ stockpot for the spaghetti and a large skillet or Dutch oven for the sauce.

That's pretty much it! A box grater is handy for grating fresh Parmesan, which adds zing to the Baked Spaghetti Casserole .

Don't forget your rubber spatula for scraping every last bit of that creamy filling onto the noodles. That's the key to the perfect Layered baked spaghetti .

"You know what I realized? Brits eat more pasta per capita than we often admit! We love our comfort carbs, and trust me, nothing delivers comfort quite like this Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti .

It’s the kind of dish you need after a proper rubbish day."

Getting Our Ducks in a Row: Prep Steps for the Ultimate Casserole

This recipe is genuinely easy. But honestly, rushing the prep leads to dinner drama. We don't need drama; we need delicious Cheesy Spaghetti perfection.

First up, oven time: Get your oven humming at 375° F ( 190° C) . Then, lightly grease that big 9x13 dish. No sticking allowed!

Next, tackle the lovely, creamy guts. That is the Ricotta and cream cheese pasta bake filling. Pull out the ricotta, softened cream cheese, and Parmesan.

Get them into a bowl immediately. That cream cheese must be soft! Mix it until it’s completely silky smooth. Having this set aside saves you serious time later when the spaghetti is hot.

Time-saving tip: Chop the onion and garlic first. Have them ready by the hob. My mum always said, "Prep is half the battle." It's true!

Assembly Line: How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti

You are building a Layered baked spaghetti masterpiece here.

1. Meat First: Brown your ground beef until no pink remains. Drain that fat! That is non-negotiable for a non-greasy bake. Then sauté the onion and garlic. Add the tomato paste and let it sizzle for 60 seconds.
2. Sauce Simmer: Add the crushed tomatoes and spices. Let the sauce bubble gently for 20 minutes . Take out the bay leaf before moving on.
3. Pasta Power: Boil the water like the North Sea! Add loads of salt. Cook the spaghetti until it's just al dente . This means 1– 2 minutes shy of the package instructions. Crucial: It finishes cooking in the oven, so keep it firm! Drain and toss with a tiny splash of olive oil to prevent clumping.
4. Mixing Time: Gently fold the hot spaghetti into the creamy ricotta mixture. Don't break the noodles! This is how you lock in that moisture and flavor.
5. Build the Beast: Spread half the meat sauce in the bottom of the dish. Layer the creamy, coated spaghetti mixture on top. Sprinkle half a cup of mozzarella. Top with the rest of the sauce and the remaining mozzarella. This is How to make million dollar spaghetti right!

The Insider Track: Pro Tips for Baked Spaghetti Recipe Success

You've done the hard work. Now let's guarantee a gorgeous sliceable casserole.

Don't Be Impatient! This is the biggest mistake I see when people make this Baked Spaghetti Casserole . Bake it, covered with foil, for 25 minutes .

Then uncover it and bake for another 15 minutes until the top is bubbling and golden brown.

Then, take it out. Walk away. Seriously. Let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes before serving.

That rest period is magic. It lets the cheese and sauce set up perfectly. The first time I made this Million Dollar Spaghetti , I sliced it right away and it turned into a sloppy mess.

Learn from my soggy past! Following this resting rule is the key to creating an Ultimate comfort food casserole that truly holds its own and works as a perfect Dinner recipe for a crowd .

Bob’s your uncle, enjoy!

Finishing Touches: Making Your Baked Spaghetti Casserole Shine

Oh my gosh, you did it! You built the legendary Million Dollar Spaghetti . Honestly, it's a masterpiece. But before you dive in, let’s talk about a few crucial notes to make this Ultimate comfort food casserole experience absolutely perfect.

More Than Just a Meal: Tips for Your Layered Masterpiece

Dinner Recipe for a Crowd: Plating it Up Right

Look, I know you want to dig in immediately. But remember that crucial step: the rest! The Million Dollar Spaghetti needs 10 minutes resting time after it leaves the oven.

I learned this the hard way—I rushed it once, and the whole Ricotta and cream cheese pasta bake just collapsed into a giant puddle.

Don't be me! Let it settle.

When serving this Dinner recipe for a crowd , use a sturdy spatula. The best way to balance this richness is with something zesty.

A simple side salad with a sharp lemon vinaigrette is Bob's your uncle. And grab a nice glass of Italian red wine.

Trust me, it cuts through the cheesy layers beautifully.

Keepin' the Cheesy Dream Alive (Storage Secrets)

The only thing better than fresh Cheesy Spaghetti is the leftovers. They are truly spectacular. Cover any remaining portion tightly and pop it in the fridge.

It keeps well for 3 to 4 days.

If you made a massive batch, freezing is totally doable! Let the casserole cool completely. Slice it into single servings, wrap them individually in foil, and then place them in a freezer bag.

To reheat, thaw overnight and bake (covered) at 300° F ( 150° C) until piping hot throughout. This keeps it from drying out.

Fancy Swaps and Diet Tweaks

Need a quick change-up? Easy peasy. If you want a vegetarian version of the Baked Spaghetti Recipe , substitute the beef with sautéed lentils and finely chopped mushrooms.

It gives the sauce the same hearty texture. For my gluten-intolerant friends, use your favorite gluten-free spaghetti. Just be extra careful to pull it out super al dente.

It gets softer as it bakes.

In the autumn, I sometimes stir a couple of spoonfuls of roasted pumpkin purée into the ricotta layer. It adds an earthy sweetness that is unexpected and brilliant.

Quick Kitchen Science (The Basics)

Yes, this is a decadent, ultimate comfort food. But it’s also packed with goodness! Because of all that lean beef and dairy, one big serving of this Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti Casserole delivers around 45 grams of protein.

That’s serious fuel! It is satisfying, warming, and just what you need after a long day. You're getting carbs for energy, protein for muscle, and, let’s be honest, pure happiness.

Enjoy every single layer of this phenomenal dish! You know How to make million dollar spaghetti now, and your weeknight dinner game will never be the same.