Million dollar spaghetti casserole is pasta tossed in creamy Alfredo sauce topped with a hearty meat sauce and baked with a melted cheese topping.
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
My goodness this million dollar spaghetti casserole is sure to get your taste buds buzzing. There are so many delicious flavors going on from the cheesy, garlicy Alfredo sauce to the seasoned beef and tomato sauce cheese topping.
I love casserole style recipes like this one for busy weeknight dinners. They’re so easy to put together and clean up is a breeze, too. Plus, this is a real “stick to your ribs” dinner that will keep everyone full and happy for hours. Give it a try for your next family meal and see what all the fuss is about.
Ingredients
Here's everything you'll need to make this delicious dinner. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.
- Ground Beef- Gives this dish a hearty and filling result.
- Onion- Adds a slight sweetness.
- Garlic- Brings an aromatic homemade feel.
- Bell Pepper- Adds texture and color.
- Tomato Sauce- Brings just the right amount of acidity to compliment the meat sauce.
- Alfredo Sauce- Adds a cheesy, creamy flavor to the pasta that also keeps it moist while cooking.
- Spaghetti- The perfect shaped pasta to capturea ll the flavors of the casserole.
- Parmesan Cheese- Bings a cheesy, salty taste throughout.
- Mozzarella Cheese- A mild cheese that melts perfectly without competing with the other strong flavors of the dish.
- Salt & Pepper- Brings out the flavors of all the other ingredients.
- Italian Seasoning- Just the right amount of Italian herbs and seasonings all in one place.
- Garlic Powder- Adds an earthy garlicy flavor throughout the whole casserole.
How To Make It
Heres how to make this incredible pasta dish. You can find the full ingredients list and instructions on the recipe card below.
Preheat the oven to 350°
First, add the ground beef, chopped onion, garlic and bell pepper to a large skillet. Brown the ground beef and vegetables together, breaking the beef into small pieces as cooks. Drain any excess fat and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer for about 5-10 minutes.
Now, toss the cooked spaghetti into the Alfredo sauce and add it to a greased 9” x 13” baking dish. Spread it out so that it's flat and even and spoon the tomato sauce and beef mixture to the top.
NOTE: The pasta may look like it has just a little too much Alfredo sauce on it. That's actually exactly what you want to make sure the pasta doest dry out in the oven.
Now, top the beef mixture with Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese. Finally, place it into the center rack of the oven, uncovered, for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sides are hot and bubbly. Let rest for 5-10 minutes and enjoy!
PRO TIP: Let the casserole rest to firm up and settle. It will make it must easier to serve and eat.
Storage
Let the casserole cool completely and place it into a food safe, air tight container. It will last in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Do I Have To Use Jarred Tomato And Alfredo Sauce?
Absolutely not! Feel free to make your own or use my homemade recipes for Tomato and Alfredo sauces. I just like to use jarred sauces here because it makes my life much easier. If you do go the jarred sauce route- I recommend Raoes.
What Can I Serve This With?
Casseroles like this one are great because they don't really need to be served with much else. A simple side salad, some homemade garlic bread or roasted vegetable like Broccoli would be great choices.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- 9" x 13" baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1 Small Onion, chopped
- 1 Small Green Bell Pepper, chopped
- 3 Clove Garlic, chopped
- 1.5 Cups Tomato Sauce
- 1 Pound Cooked Spaghetti
- 2-2.5 Cups Alfredo Sauce
- ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, hand shredded
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 Tbs Garlic Powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°
- Add the ground beef, chopped onion, garlic and bell pepper to a large skillet. Brown the ground beef and vegetables together, breaking the beef into small pieces as cooks. Drain any excess fat and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer for about 5-10 minutes.
- Toss the cooked spaghetti into the Alfredo sauce and add it to a greased 9” x 13” baking dish. Spread it out so that it's flat and even.
- Spoon the tomato sauce and beef mixture to the top and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Top the beef mixture with Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese. Finally, place it into the center rack of the oven, uncovered, for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sides are hot and bubbly. Let rest for 5-10 minutes and enjoy!
Video
Other Easy Baked Pasta Dishes
If you like super easy to make baked pasta dishes like this one, you have to try Pasta Al Forno, Baked Monterey Chicken Spaghetti and Boursin Baked Ziti With Spinach.
Al Dente Diva says
I’m so so happy to hear that!! Thank you!
Anonymous says
This was so good! And really easy to make. My husband had 3 plates! lol. Will definitely be makin again.