Go Back
–+ servings
Ultra close-up macro food photography of a slice of million dollar baked spaghetti casserole with gooey melted cheese pull

Ultra-Cheesy Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Tender spaghetti tossed in a savory garlic-herb marinara meat sauce, layered with a velvety cream cheese and ricotta filling, and blanketed in bubbly golden melted mozzarella. Tastes like lasagna with half the work!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8 minutes (firm al dente). Drain and toss with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with diced onion and garlic for 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  1. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, 1/4 cup parmesan, garlic powder, and fresh basil until silky and smooth.
  2. Toss cooked spaghetti with half of the warm meat sauce. Spread half of the saucy spaghetti in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  3. Spread the entire cream cheese and ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
  4. Top with the remaining saucy spaghetti, then spoon the remaining meat sauce evenly over top.
  5. Cover with shredded mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup parmesan.
  6. Cover loosely with tented foil. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15 minutes longer until cheese is melted and bubbling with golden brown spots. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 34gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 540mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 820IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 360mgIron: 3.8mg

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!