Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a rich, comforting dish that combines spaghetti, a creamy cheese mixture, and a hearty meat sauce, all baked to golden perfection. Here’s how you can make it:

Ingredients:

• For the Spaghetti and Cheese Mixture:
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 16 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• For the Meat Sauce:
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (or use more ground beef if preferred)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce or homemade tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• For Topping:
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the Spaghetti:
   • Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, and melted butter. Mix until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
   • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion until the meat is browned and the onion is soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
   • Drain excess fat from the skillet.
   • Add the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning to the meat mixture. Stir well to combine. Let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Assemble the Casserole:
   • In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
   • Place half of the cooked spaghetti over the sauce.
   • Spread the entire cheese mixture over the spaghetti layer.
   • Add the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese mixture.
   • Pour the rest of the meat sauce over the top layer of spaghetti.
6. Bake the Casserole:
   • Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese over the top.
   • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
   • After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve:
   • Let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Enjoy this hearty and creamy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole!