Description
This TikTok Million Dollar Spaghetti is a decadent, creamy baked pasta dish combining al dente angel hair pasta smothered in a rich homemade Alfredo sauce, layered with a flavorful marinara meat sauce, and topped with a blend of melted cheeses. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing casserole that elevates classic spaghetti by adding creamy, cheesy indulgence and baking it to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb. angel hair pasta or spaghetti
Meat Sauce
- 1/2 lb. ground beef (80/20)
- 1/2 lb. hot Italian sausage (mild works too)
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 10 garlic cloves, minced (divided)
- 32 oz. marinara sauce
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Alfredo Sauce
- 1 stick butter (8 tablespoons), divided
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp cream cheese, softened
- Salt to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Cheese Topping
- 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2/3 cup fontina cheese, shredded
- 2/3 cup provolone cheese, shredded
Garnish
- Parsley, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the final casserole.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt 6 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to simmer for about 5 minutes until the cream thickens. Whisk in parmesan and cream cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, red pepper flakes, and freshly cracked pepper to taste.
- Cook Pasta: Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain and return pasta to the pot. Pour the Alfredo sauce over the pasta and toss to coat evenly. Clean the skillet to use for browning the meat.
- Brown the Meat and Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking up the meat as it cooks. After 2 minutes, add diced onion, green bell pepper, and remaining minced garlic. Sauté until meat is fully browned and vegetables are softened.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the meat and vegetable mixture. Mix well to combine and heat through.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a large cast iron skillet or a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Spread the Alfredo-coated pasta evenly in the dish. Pour the marinara meat sauce over the top and smooth it out with a spatula.
- Add Cheese Topping and Bake: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, fontina, and provolone cheeses evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until bubbly and hot. For an extra golden top, broil for an additional 5 minutes if desired.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot for a rich, creamy, and cheesy spaghetti bake.
Notes
- Just like when making lasagna, the sauce can bubble over and spill on the bottom of the oven. To prevent this, place a baking sheet lined with foil on the oven rack underneath the baking dish.
- If you prefer less spice, use mild Italian sausage instead of hot.
- Allow the Alfredo sauce to thicken on simmer before mixing with pasta; it will continue to thicken as it cools.
- You can prepare the meat sauce ahead and refrigerate it for easier assembly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 50g
- Saturated Fat: 28g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
