Description
This TikTok Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti recipe is a deliciously rich and creamy baked pasta dish featuring layers of homemade alfredo sauce, savory ground beef marinara, and gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfectly baked until bubbly and golden, it combines the best of Italian flavors with a crowd-pleasing presentation, ideal for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/2 Onion (diced)
- 1 lb. Lean Ground Beef (80-85% lean)
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 28 ounce jar Marinara Sauce (such as Rao’s or Carbone’s)
Alfredo Sauce
- 8 Tablespoons Salted Butter
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2 cups Parmesan Cheese (grated)
Other
- 1 lb Spaghetti Noodles
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (grated)
- Diced Parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Sauté the diced onions for 5 minutes until softened. Add the lean ground beef and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook the beef until browned, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, salt, and pepper, cooking for another minute to release the flavors.
- Drain Excess Grease and Add Marinara: After the beef is cooked, drain any excess grease or blot it with a paper towel. Pour in the marinara sauce and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles thoroughly.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: In a separate pot, melt the salted butter over medium heat. Add the heavy cream and garlic powder, stirring occasionally. Slowly incorporate the grated parmesan cheese in two batches (1 cup at a time), stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and bubbles, about 3-5 minutes.
- Assemble and Bake: In a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, toss the cooked spaghetti noodles with the creamy alfredo sauce until evenly coated. Spread the meat sauce evenly over the top of the coated noodles. Finally, sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese across the top layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until bubbly and golden around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and, if desired, sprinkle diced parsley over the top for a fresh touch. Serve warm and enjoy this rich, comforting baked spaghetti dish.
Notes
- What type of ground beef should I use? Use lean ground beef (80-85% lean) to reduce excess grease. Drain or blot grease after browning before adding marinara to keep the sauce from being oily.
- Recommended Marinara Sauce: Rao’s marinara sauce is highly recommended for its rich flavor and can often be found affordably in two-packs at Costco. Carbone’s marinara is another excellent choice.
- Source Note: The original TikTok source for this recipe is unclear due to many versions shared online. If you know the original creator, please share for proper credit.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10th of dish)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
