Million Dollar Spaghetti

Baked spaghetti with homemade Italian sausage sauce and a creamy three-cheese filling.

Ingredients

Pasta

• 1 lb spaghetti

• 1 tbsp salt for the pasta water

Italian Sausage Meat Sauce

• 1½ lb mild Italian sausage

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 5 cloves garlic, minced

• 6 oz tomato paste

• 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce

• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon Beef Base

• 2 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional

• 1 tsp black pepper

• Salt to taste

Cheese Layer

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 15 oz whole milk ricotta

• ½ cup grated Parmesan

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp Italian seasoning

• Pinch of black pepper

Topping and Garnish

• 3 cups shredded mozzarella/provolone blend

• ½ cup grated Parmesan

• Fresh chopped parsley

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Brown the sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it into bite-sized pieces. Add the onion and cook about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic for 30 seconds, then the tomato paste for 2 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, beef base, seasonings, and optional red pepper flakes. Simmer 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Salt to taste.

3. Mix cream cheese, ricotta, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper until smooth.

4. Heat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking dish. Layer half the spaghetti, the cheese mixture, 1 cup of the mozzarella/provolone blend, the remaining spaghetti, the meat sauce, the remaining mozzarella/provolone, and the Parmesan.

5. Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.

6. Rest 10–15 minutes and garnish with parsley.