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million dollar spaghetti in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon
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Million Dollar Spaghetti (Cheesy and Baked)

This Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe is made with layers of noodles, savory meat sauce, and creamy cheese that comes together in a decadent baked dish that's sure to impress. You'll love my homemade marinara sauce seasoned with oregano and basil, and from there the dish is topped with rich Parmesan and gooey mozzarella and broiled until bubbly, gooey, and golden brown.
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword baked spaghetti, baked spaghetti with cheese, million dollar spaghetti, million dollar spaghetti with cheese
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 5 servings
Calories 637kcal
Author Brandi Crawford

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 10 oz spaghetti pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef turkey, or chicken
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup diced onions I used red onions. Use what you like.
  • 1/2 cup diced green peppers
  • 1/2 cup diced red peppers
  • 4 garlic cloves Minced
  • 4 oz cream cheese Softened.
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan Reggiano Cheese
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Homemade Marinara Sauce (Feel free to use jarred, store-bought sauce if you wish).

Instructions

  • Cook the spaghetti in accordance with the instructions on the package. Prep your vegetables while the spaghetti cooks.
    10 oz spaghetti pasta
  • Place a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven on medium-high heat. (I use the same one I used to cook the pasta).
  • Add the ground beef. Break down the beef with a meat chopper. Drain any excess fat from the beef.
    1 pound ground beef
  • Season the meat with 1 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
    1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper to taste
  • Cook for 5-6 minutes until fully cooked through. Add in the onions, green peppers, red peppers, and garlic. Saute until the onions and garlic are fragrant.
    1/2 cup diced onions, 1/2 cup diced green peppers, 1/2 cup diced red peppers, 4 garlic cloves
  • Add in the crushed tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, bay leaf, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir.
    28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano, 3 fresh basil leaves, 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper to taste, 1 bay leaf
  • Taste repeatedly and adjust spices as necessary to suit your taste. The taste of the sauce is key to the overall taste of the dish.
  • Add in the cream cheese and grated Parmesan. Stir until melted and combined.
    4 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan Reggiano Cheese
  • Fold in the cooked spaghetti and stir.
  • Adjust the heat to medium-low and place the lid on the pot. Simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes. The sauce and pasta should meld together.
  • Preheat the oven to Broil.
  • Open the pot and remove the bay leaf.
  • Sprinkle the cheddar cheese and mozzarella over the spaghetti.
    1 cup grated mozzarella cheese, 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • Broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and browned.
  • Cool before serving.

Notes

After cooking the spaghetti and marinara, if the spaghetti is too thick you can thin it out by adding water.
As always, feel free to use a store-bought sauce if that's your preference and you want to save some time.
Feel free to use any type of cheese you like.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 637kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 29g