Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo is a rich and comforting casserole that combines savory Cajun-spiced ground beef marinara with creamy homemade Alfredo sauce over al dente spaghetti noodles, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This hearty dish is perfect for family dinners or special occasions, offering layers of bold flavors and creamy textures baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
Alfredo Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 16 ounces (1 pound) spaghetti noodles, cooked to al dente
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef with diced onion, green bell pepper, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Continue to cook until the meat is browned and the vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes.
- Drain Excess Grease: After cooking, drain any excess grease from the skillet to keep the sauce rich but not oily.
- Simmer Marinara Sauce: Stir marinara sauce into the browned meat mixture, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add Heavy Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine.
- Incorporate Parmesan Cheese: Gradually whisk in the shredded Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Season the Alfredo: Add kosher salt and black pepper to taste, stirring well.
- Combine Spaghetti with Alfredo Sauce: Add the cooked, drained spaghetti noodles to the Alfredo sauce and toss thoroughly until noodles are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the Alfredo-coated spaghetti evenly in the baking dish. Layer the meat sauce over the spaghetti, spreading it evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top of the meat layer.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with dried parsley flakes if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo!
Notes
- For best results, cook spaghetti noodles just until al dente to prevent them from becoming too soft after baking.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of the meat sauce.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce while cooking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To save time, prepare the meat sauce and Alfredo sauce simultaneously using two burners.
