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Million Dollar Spaghetti

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A creamy, cheesy, and comforting spaghetti casserole that’s quick to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd. This easy recipe combines ground beef, a rich cheese sauce, and a baked golden crust for a delicious comfort food classic.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti, cooked al dente
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups (480 ml) tomato sauce
  • 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (110 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 tbsp (28 g) butter
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside. Save ½ cup pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
  2. Heat 2 tbsp (28 g) butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb (450 g) ground beef and cook, breaking apart, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
  3. Add 1 finely chopped medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet with the beef. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Season with 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper.
  4. Pour 2 cups (480 ml) tomato sauce into the skillet. Stir and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  5. In a bowl, whisk together 4 oz (113 g) softened cream cheese, 1 cup (240 ml) milk, 1 cup (110 g) shredded cheddar cheese, and ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy.
  6. Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with meat sauce. Pour in cheese mixture and gently toss to coat noodles evenly.
  7. Transfer spaghetti mixture to a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Sprinkle an extra ¼ cup (25 g) cheddar and 2 tbsp (14 g) Parmesan on top.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
  9. Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use softened cream cheese to avoid lumps in the sauce. Save some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed. Let casserole rest after baking to thicken the sauce. For variations, substitute ground beef with turkey, chicken, lentils, or mushrooms; swap cheddar for mozzarella or other cheeses; use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: Million Dollar Spaghetti, creamy spaghetti, cheesy pasta casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, crowd-pleaser, baked spaghetti

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/million-dollar-spaghetti-recipe-easy-crowd-pleaser-for-comfort-food-fans/