I have to be completely honest – I don’t like baked pastas. Pasta is my favorite food, but I usually find that baking it makes it dry and hard. I would always rather have pasta fresh….that is, UNTIL I made this recipe. This Spaghetti Casserole, also known as Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole, is a game changer. The sauce and the meat are so flavorful and the pasta does NOT come out dry! Trust me, your whole family is going to love this delicious comfort food dish.
Ingredients in Spaghetti Casserole
Spaghetti Noodles – even though this is called spaghetti casserole, you can use other noodle shapes if you have them on hand! Spaghetti Sauce – use your favorite brand or use a homemade recipe like our Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes Ground Beef – normally we use lean ground beef so the sauce isn’t too oily Italian Sausage – use mild or hot depending on your family’s preference Yellow Onion & Garlic – this dynamic flavor duo enhances the flavor of the meat sauce Cream Cheese, Ricotta & Sour Cream – these creamy elements are what make this spaghetti casserole shine! Egg – the egg acts as a binder to bring the cheese mixture together Italian Seasoning, Salt, and Pepper – add these spices into the cheese mixture to enhance the flavor Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese – this is the perfect combo for this recipe because mozzarella melts beautifully and parmesan brings that punch of flavor Optional: fresh basil or Italian parsley for garnish
Substitutions and Variations
Use ground turkey instead of beef. Omit the beef and pork and use breaded chicken instead for a Chicken Spaghetti Casserole. Omit all meat and add extra veggies like red and green bell pepper, mushrooms, and zucchini for a Veggie Pasta Bake. Use chicken instead of beef and pork and replace the spaghetti sauce with your favorite Alfredo sauce for a Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake. Use cottage cheese instead of ricotta if desired. Add marinara sauce or vodka sauce instead of spaghetti sauce. Use sharp cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella.
How to Make Spaghetti Casserole
First, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and then combine with 24 ounces of spaghetti sauce. Set aside. Next, prepare the meat sauce. Saute the garlic and onions and then brown the beef and sausage. Combine the meat with the remaining spaghetti sauce. Now for my favorite part – the cheese mixture. Combine ricotta, sour cream, cream cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for best results. Time for layers! The layers go in this order: ½ of the pasta, all of the cheese mixture, mozzarella cheese, the rest of the pasta, the meat sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Bake covered with aluminum foil for 30 minutes, then uncovered for 15 minutes. The cheese and sauce should be hot and bubbly.
Storing and Freezing
Store any leftover baked Spaghetti Casserole in an airtight container in the fridge. I have a few casserole dishes that come with lids for super easy storage. I also make this casserole ahead of time and freeze it. It stays good in the freezer for up to three months. I assemble the casserole as the recipe outlines and then instead of baking, I cover it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. When ready to bake, I let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake normally. You can also bake from frozen, but you will need to add an extra hour of cooking time.
What to Serve with Spaghetti Casserole
This dish is great as a meal on its own. However, if you are feeding a crowd and want to make it stretch, or if you just want to round out the meal we have some great options. Serve this dish with a steamed veggie like broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, or asparagus. Or, serve it with a salad like a garden salad or Caesar salad. You can also serve up some garlic bread on the side. We have some great garlic bread recipes include our Loaded Cheesy Garlic Bread, Quick Garlic Bread, and Hot and Cheesy Garlic Bread. Read Next: 35+ Quick and Easy To Follow Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Surely Love
More Casserole Recipes
Eggs Benedict Casserole Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Enchilada Casserole Chicken Rice and Broccoli Casserole Crockpot Breakfast Casserole Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Chili Frito Casserole
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