Million Dollar Spaghetti
User Reviews
4.8
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
50 mins
-
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
-
Servings
8
-
Calories
742 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
American
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Description
This recipe layers cooked spaghetti with browned Italian sausage, onion, garlic, and marinara sauce. Pasta is boiled just shy of fully tender, so it finishes cooking while baked. The sausage mixture is combined with the pasta and sauce, then half is spread in a baking dish. A rich cheese mixture of cream cheese, ricotta, Parmesan, garlic powder, and oregano is spread over the pasta, adding creaminess and flavor depth. The remaining pasta mixture is layered on top, and the casserole is baked until bubbly and golden.
Flavor notes include the savory, meaty sausage and the creamy, slightly tangy cheese layer which contrasts with the tangy tomato sauce. Red pepper flakes offer optional heat. Texture varies from tender pasta to the smooth cheese filling. Baking melds these components.
Swapping cheeses or using pre-packaged sausage meat offers flexibility. The recipe yields a filling, homestyle entrée suitable for family meals or potlucks, served with simple sides or salad.
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti uncooked
- 1 pound Italian sausage see note
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2 (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Cheese layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened, 1 block, Philadelphia brand
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano dried
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
- In a medium bowl, add the cheese layer ingredients and stir them together until you've got a nice, smooth mixture. Set aside.
- Boil a large, salted pot of water for the pasta and cook it 2 minutes less than package directions suggest. Once it's done, drain it and add it back to the same pot it was cooked in.
- Meanwhile, add the sausage meat to a skillet, along with the onion. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking the meat up as you go along, for about 10 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
- To the skillet, stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for about a minute. Spoon out excess fat from the pan.
- Add the skillet mixture to the pot that has the pasta in it, and then pour in the marinara sauce. Toss until everything is coated (this is easiest to do with tongs or two large spoons).
- Add half the pasta/sauce mixture to a 9x13 baking dish, then spread it in an even layer.
- Spread the cheese layer evenly over the pasta/sauce layer. This step can get a little messy. It doesn't have to be done perfectly.
- Add the remaining pasta/sauce mixture and spread it out evenly, then top the casserole with the mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and broil for a few minutes (watch it carefully) until the cheese is bubbly and browned.
- Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes, then use a spatula to cut it into individual portions. Season with salt & pepper if needed. Note: Especially when it's still hot, you won't get nice, even squares with a perfectly even cheese layer. It'll mix together a bit, but I went for plenty of sauce (especially so leftovers aren't dry).
Notes
- You can use either ground sausage meat or remove sausage from casings for the pork component.
- To soften cream cheese quickly, microwave it for 20-30 seconds before mixing.
- The cheese layer can be varied; other similar cheeses may be substituted.
- This recipe is featured in the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials cookbook, page 46.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 742 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 742kcal | 37% |
| Carbohydrates | 58g | 19% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 42g | 65% |
| Saturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Cholesterol | 119mg | 40% |
| Sodium | 1799mg | 75% |
| Potassium | 949mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 1639IU | 33% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 393mg | 39% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
You'll Also Love
