What happens when spaghetti meets lasagna? You get the perfect comfort food ~ million dollar spaghetti casserole! Tender pasta tossed in a hearty meat sauce and layered with four cheeses and then baked to golden brown perfection.
MILLION DOLLAR SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE
SAUCE
2 teaspoons avocado oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound mild Italian sausage, casings removed
1/2 cup THINLY sliced celery
1/2 cup FINELY diced carrots
1/2 cup onion, FINELY chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
1 tablespoon Garden Gourmet Italian herbs
3 cups marinara sauce
1 cup tomato sauce
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pan.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the meat for 3 minutes, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon or spatula.
- Add the diced onion, celery and carrots to the pan, cooking for 5 more minutes or until meat is browned, cooked through and the veggies are tender.
- Add the garlic and Italian seasoning to the pan and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the marinara sauce and tomato sauce stirring to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
CHEESE FILLING
15 ounces ricotta cheese
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup FRESH GRATED Parmesan cheese
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Place the ricotta, cream cheese, Parmesan, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning in a bowl.
- Stir until well combined.
ASSEMBLY
16 ounces spaghetti, prepared per package directions
1/4 cup butter cut into thin slices
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped parsley
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Toss the cooked spaghetti with the sauce.
- Arrange half of the butter on the bottom of the dish, then place half the spaghetti on top.
- Spread the cheese layer on top of the pasta, then place the remaining half of the pasta on top.
- Arrange the remaining half of of the butter on top of the dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top.
- Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until pasta is bubbly and cheese is melted and browned.
- Sprinkle with parsley.
- Let stand for 5-7 minutes, then serve in lasagna sized pieces.