Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti (Print-Friendly Version)
Creamy cheeses, beef, and marinara create a rich, layered baked spaghetti for a comforting meal everyone loves.
# What You’ll Need to Make This:
→ Main Components
01 -
450 g ground beef
02 -
1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
04 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 -
1 teaspoon paprika
06 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
07 -
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
08 -
1 tablespoon minced garlic
09 -
2 jars (680 g each) marinara sauce
10 -
450 g dry spaghetti
11 -
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Cheese Mixture
12 -
225 g ricotta cheese
13 -
225 g cottage cheese
14 -
115 g cream cheese, softened
15 -
60 g grated Parmesan cheese
16 -
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
→ Assembly and Topping
17 -
200 g shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
# How to Prepare:
01 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
02 -
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown ground beef together with chopped onion, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
03 -
Season the beef and onion mixture with salt, black pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 minutes. Drain excess fat. Add minced garlic and 680 g of marinara sauce. Stir to combine and simmer on low heat while preparing cheese mixture.
04 -
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, and dried parsley flakes until smooth.
05 -
Once spaghetti is drained, toss with the second jar (680 g) of marinara sauce until evenly coated.
06 -
Preheat oven to 190°C. Grease a deep 33x23 cm baking dish and dot the bottom with butter. Spread half of the sauced spaghetti into the dish.
07 -
Evenly distribute all of the cheese mixture over the spaghetti layer. Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese (100 g).
08 -
Add remaining spaghetti in an even layer. Spoon the meat and sauce mixture over the top.
09 -
Finish with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese (100 g) evenly over the surface.
10 -
Bake uncovered at 190°C for 35 to 40 minutes until heated through and the cheese is golden and bubbling.
11 -
Allow to stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
Allow casserole to rest after baking for best slicing results.