Million Dollar Spaghetti

This Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe is the epitome of comfort food. It's a rich and decadent pasta dish loaded with layers of ooey-gooey cheese, ground beef, and marinara sauce. The name might imply that it costs a fortune to make, but don't worry – it won't break the bank! With simple ingredients and easy prep, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
• 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 12 ounces spaghetti, cooked and drained

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onions are translucent.
3. Stir in the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, chopped basil, chopped parsley, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until well combined.
5. Spread half of the cooked spaghetti into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
6. Top the spaghetti with dollops of the cream cheese mixture, spreading it out evenly.
7. Pour half of the meat sauce over the cream cheese layer, spreading it out evenly.
8. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, cream cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
9. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole.
10. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
12. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot and enjoy!

Interesting Facts