Million Dollar Spaghetti

Spaghetti just got a major upgrade with my creamy, baked million dollar spaghetti recipe–you won’t want spaghetti any other way.

Ever wondered what a million bucks tastes like? No, not the actual bills (yuck!) but an actual dish that tastes like it. Well, I just might think that I’ve hit the jackpot! Let me introduce you to million-dollar spaghetti – a luxurious dish that costs a fraction of its name! Before I even begin, let me give you a pro tip – make sure to perfect your alfredo sauce, as it is often overlooked, yet it’s the secret to this yummy dish. So without further ado, let’s make a million bucks!

Along with the ingredients of million-dollar spaghetti, you also need a few stacks of cash! Just kidding! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Ground beef
• Spaghetti noodles, cooked al dente
• Marinara
• White onion, diced
• Mixed bell peppers, diced
• Garlic paste
• Tomato paste
• Sugar
• Salt, pepper, dried basil, dried oregano, smoked paprika
• Fresh thyme
• Shredded Italian cheese

Alfredo sauce:

• Butter
• Heavy cream
• Softened cream cheese
• Italian cheese, shredded
• Parmesan cheese, shredded
• Nutmeg
• Adobo seasoning or any all purpose seasoning

Just imagine working is as easy as the preparation for million-dollar spaghetti. I mean, I’d be a millionaire in a blink of an eye! Let’s go through the directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cook the spaghetti according to the directions on the box, typically 10 minutes for al dente. Drain and set aside for later.
3. Saute the bell peppers and onions in olive oil on medium heat in a large cast iron or oven-safe skillet for about three minutes, until they become soft but not mushy and fragrant. 
4. Add the ground beef, tomato, and garlic paste, and cook until the meat turns golden brown. Remember to stir every couple of minutes.
5. Drain any fat from the beef, season, and add marinara sauce – simmer for 15 minutes.
6. While simmering, take another skillet and work on your alfredo. Add the heavy cream, butter, and cream cheese – additionally, grate cheese and parmesan on top for seasoning. Bring to a simmer until it thickens for 5-7 minutes.
7. Turn the heat off from the meat skillet and add the spaghetti slowly, making sure they’re well-covered in the sauce.
8. Top off the meat noodles with the alfredo sauce and add more cheese on top.
9. Put the spaghetti in the oven, bake for 15-20 minutes, and additionally broil for 1 minute until the crust is thick.
10. Leave it to cool for 10 minutes and serve!

Yield: 6 servings

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Print

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 oz spaghetti noodles, cooked al dente
• 1 bottle of @raoshomemade marinara
• 1/2 cup white onion, diced
• 1/2 cup mixed bell peppers, diced
• 1 tbsp garlic paste
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp each salt, pepper, dried basil, dried oregano, smoked paprika
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 cup of shredded Italian cheese

Alfredo sauce:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup Italian cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp adobo seasoning

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees 
2. Cook noodles according to package instructions for al dente, drain and set aside. 
3. In a large cast iron skillet or oven safe skillet, saute onion and bell peppers in olive oil until fragrant and soft, about 3 minutes. 
4. Add ground beef, tomato paste and garlic paste, combine and cook beef until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes, mixing every couple minutes. 
5. Drain any fat from the cooked meat, season to taste, then add marinara sauce of choice, simmer for 15 minutes as you work on the cream sauce. 
6. To another non stick skillet, add heavy cream, cream cheese, butter, parmesan cheese, and seasoning. 
7. Bring to a simmer until thickened, about 5-7 minutes. 
8. Turn off the heat from the meat sauce and add noodles a little at a time, ensuring they are well coated.
9. Once noodles are combined with the meat sauce, top with cream sauce and more cheese.
10. Bake for 15-20 minutes, and broil for 1 minute on high until the cheese crust is nice and golden brown. 
11. Allow the skillet to cool for 10 minutes before serving. 

I feel richer already – now, back to work! Let me know how the million-dollar spaghetti tastes by leaving a review. Lastly, check out my blog for more yummy recipes!