Discover the Mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti A Beefy, a dish that lives up to its name by delivering incredible flavor and satisfaction without breaking the bank. This recipe is your secret weapon for a delicious, hearty, and budget-friendly meal that your whole family will adore.
Key Ingredients for Mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti A Beefy
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 recommended for flavor)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water (or beef broth for extra flavor)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat)
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
How to Make Mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti A Beefy
This Mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti A Beefy recipe is a game-changer for weeknight dinners! It’s remarkably easy to whip up, bursting with deep, savory flavors, and features a wonderfully creamy, cheesy layer that elevates it beyond ordinary spaghetti. With a total preparation and cooking time of about 75 minutes, it’s surprisingly quick for such a satisfying meal.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Add the ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned all over. Drain off any excess grease.
- Simmer the Rich Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water (or beef broth). Add the dried oregano, dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Cook the Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Prepare the Creamy Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, the lightly beaten egg, and chopped fresh parsley. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until well combined and creamy.
- Assemble the Million Dollar Spaghetti: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Add the drained spaghetti to the pot with the meat sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Layer and Bake: Spread half of the spaghetti and sauce mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the spaghetti. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti mixture, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle a little extra Parmesan cheese on top if desired.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown around the edges.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti A Beefy rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set slightly, making it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Why You’ll Love This Mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti A Beefy
You’ll absolutely adore this Mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti A Beefy because it’s comfort food at its finest, boasting a rich, savory beef sauce that’s incredibly satisfying. The luxurious, creamy ricotta layer and bubbly, melted mozzarella take it from simple spaghetti to something truly special, reminiscent of a much more involved dish but far simpler to prepare. Making this at home means you can indulge in this restaurant-quality meal for a fraction of the cost, making it a smart choice for family dinners or feeding a crowd without overspending.
Unlike a basic spaghetti bolognese, this dish offers decadent layers of flavor and texture that are simply irresistible. The addition of the ricotta cheese creates a delightful creaminess that balances the robust tomato and beef sauce perfectly. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table with smiles, a comforting hug in a bowl that’s easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for guests. Give this Mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti A Beefy a try – you won’t be disappointed!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
- Refrigeration: Once the Mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti A Beefy has cooled to room temperature, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the baked and cooled spaghetti. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or wrap individual servings tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Frozen spaghetti will last for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating:
- From the Refrigerator: For individual portions, microwave on medium power, stirring occasionally, until heated through. For a larger amount, reheat in a covered oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until hot. You may need to add a tablespoon or two of water or milk to loosen the sauce if it seems dry.
- From the Freezer: Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Then, reheat as you would refrigerated leftovers. Alternatively, you can reheat directly from frozen by covering the dish and baking at 350°F (175°C) for 45-60 minutes, or until heated through, adding a little liquid if needed.
Final Thoughts
This Mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti A Beefy is truly a treasure, offering incredible taste and satisfaction without a hefty price tag. Gather your ingredients and give this delicious recipe a try – it’s guaranteed to become a beloved staple in your home!
Mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti A Beefy
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Add the ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned all over. Drain off any excess grease.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 pound ground beef
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water (or beef broth). Add the dried oregano, dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, 1/4 cup water, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water.1 pound spaghetti
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, the lightly beaten egg, and chopped fresh parsley. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until well combined and creamy.1 cup ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Add the drained spaghetti to the pot with the meat sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.1 pound spaghetti
- Spread half of the spaghetti and sauce mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the spaghetti. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti mixture, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle a little extra Parmesan cheese on top if desired.1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown around the edges.
- Let the Mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti A Beefy rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set slightly, making it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.1/4 cup fresh parsley