Description
Indulge in layers of cheesy goodness and savory meat sauce with this comforting million dollar spaghetti casserole. Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, it’s a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef. Cook until browned (about 6-8 minutes), breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Stir marinara sauce into the skillet with the browned beef. Let simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese with Italian seasoning. Mix well until smooth.
- Assemble Casserole: In a greased baking dish, layer half of the cooked spaghetti at the bottom. Spread half of the meat sauce over it followed by half of the ricotta mixture. Repeat layers, finishing with mozzarella on top.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 30-35 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Serve: Transfer to plates and garnish with fresh basil before enjoying your delicious meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: For added nutrition, consider incorporating vegetables like spinach or bell peppers. You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter option. Use freshly grated cheese for enhanced flavor and meltability.