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Million Dollar Spaghetti

A decadent casserole consisting of layers of spaghetti, creamy ricotta cheese, savory ground sausage, and rich marinara sauce, baked to perfection and topped with melted cheese.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 oz Spaghetti Cook until al dente.
  • 24 oz Marinara Sauce Store-bought or homemade.
Meat
  • 1 lb Ground Sausage Italian or spicy.
Cheeses
  • 15 oz Ricotta Cheese Creamy and luscious.
  • 8 oz Mozzarella Cheese Shredded for topping.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated for topping.
Seasonings
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning For flavor enhancement.
  • to taste Salt Essential for seasoning.
  • to taste Pepper Essential for seasoning.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about a cup of pasta water, then drain the rest and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground sausage until browned. Stir in your marinara sauce and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
  3. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well-combined, creating a creamy filling.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the spaghetti, followed by the ricotta mixture. Pour over half of the remaining meat sauce, then repeat the layering process.
  2. Finish with a layer of the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top, covering every inch for a cheesy, bubbling surface.
  3. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
  4. Let it cool for a few minutes, slice, and serve hot.

Notes

Serve with garlic bread and a fresh side salad. This dish can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or frozen for later.