Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo is the ultimate comfort food, combining creamy Alfredo-coated spaghetti with a hearty, flavorful meat sauce, all topped with gooey melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. This casserole-style dish is a luxurious, cheesy indulgence that will elevate your weeknight dinners or special occasions with its rich flavors and satisfying textures.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and comforting: A perfect blend of creamy Alfredo sauce and robust meat sauce creates a decadent and hearty dish.
- Cheesy perfection: Topped with mozzarella and Parmesan, every bite is gooey and irresistible.
- Crowd-pleaser: This casserole serves up to 8 people, making it ideal for family dinners or gatherings.
- Versatile: Easily customizable with your favorite veggies, spices, or cheeses.
- Make-ahead friendly: Assemble it in advance and bake when ready for a stress-free meal.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Meat Sauce:
- Ground beef: 1 pound
- Onion, finely diced: 1 small
- Green bell pepper, finely diced: 1
- Cajun seasoning: 2 teaspoons
- Garlic powder: 1 teaspoon
- Onion powder: 1 teaspoon
- Dried Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon
- Marinara sauce: 24 ounces
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- Unsalted butter: ½ cup
- Garlic, minced: 4 cloves
- Heavy cream: 2 cups
- Parmesan cheese, shredded: 2 cups
- Kosher salt: ½ teaspoon
- Black pepper: ½ teaspoon
For Assembly:
- Spaghetti noodles, cooked to al dente: 16 ounces (1 pound)
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded: 2 cups
- Parmesan cheese, shredded: 2 tablespoons
- Dried parsley flakes (optional, for garnish): 2 teaspoons
Directions
Prepare the Meat Sauce
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Combine the ground beef, diced onion, and green bell pepper with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried Italian seasoning.
- Cook until the beef is browned and the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.
- Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Prepare the Alfredo Sauce
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually whisk in the shredded Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
Combine the Spaghetti with Alfredo Sauce
- Add the cooked and drained spaghetti noodles to the Alfredo sauce.
- Toss until the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce.
Assemble the Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread the Alfredo-coated spaghetti evenly in the baking dish.
- Layer the meat sauce over the spaghetti, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top.
Bake
- Bake the casserole, uncovered, for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with dried parsley flakes, if desired, before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Variations
- Vegetarian version: Replace the meat sauce with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant and use marinara sauce.
- Spicy twist: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the Alfredo sauce or meat sauce for a kick of heat.
- Cheese lovers’ upgrade: Add ricotta cheese or cream cheese between the spaghetti and meat sauce layers.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free spaghetti noodles to make this dish suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
- Seafood Alfredo: Substitute shrimp or crab meat for the ground beef for a seafood-inspired casserole.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Assemble the casserole (without baking) in a freezer-safe dish, cover it tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or bake the entire casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought Alfredo sauce?
Yes, you can save time by using a good-quality store-bought Alfredo sauce.
2. What’s the best type of pasta for this dish?
Spaghetti is traditional, but you can also use fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni for variety.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
4. How can I prevent the pasta from drying out?
Ensure the Alfredo sauce thoroughly coats the spaghetti, and cover the casserole with foil if baking for longer than 15 minutes.
5. Can I substitute ground beef with another protein?
Yes, ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage are great alternatives.
6. Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Definitely! Spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli make excellent additions. Add them to the meat sauce or layer them with the pasta.
7. How do I know when the casserole is done?
The cheese on top should be melted and bubbly, and the dish should be hot throughout.
8. Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Yes, but freshly shredded cheese melts better and has a creamier texture.
9. Can I make this dish lighter?
Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use lean ground meat or a plant-based meat alternative.
10. How long can I store leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo is a show-stopping casserole that combines the creamy indulgence of Alfredo sauce with the hearty satisfaction of a meat sauce. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for feeding a crowd or simply indulging in comfort food at its finest. Customize it to your liking, and enjoy the ooey-gooey cheesy layers that make this pasta bake truly unforgettable!
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Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo casserole. This decadent dish combines creamy Alfredo-coated spaghetti with a flavorful meat sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this pasta bake offers a rich, cheesy, and savory experience that everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the 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
For the 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
For Assembly:
- 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 onion, green bell pepper, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook until the meat is browned and vegetables are softened (about 10 minutes). Drain excess grease.
- Stir in marinara sauce, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Prepare the Alfredo Sauce:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt butter.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually whisk in shredded Parmesan cheese until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
Combine Spaghetti with Alfredo Sauce:
- Add cooked, drained spaghetti noodles to the Alfredo sauce.
- Toss until the noodles are fully coated with the sauce.
Assemble the Casserole:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread the Alfredo-coated spaghetti evenly in the dish.
- Pour the meat sauce over the spaghetti layer, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top.
Bake:
- Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with dried parsley flakes before serving, if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Pasta, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American