Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Here’s a tasty spaghetti casserole recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti noodles
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. The ground beef or Italian sausage should be cooked through and browned in a sizable skillet over medium heat. Remove any extra fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
  5. Add the tomato sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper along with the diced toma toes (and their juice). To allow the flavors to meld, simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes.
  6. Add the cooked spaghetti noodles to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat the noodles evenly.
  7. Transfer the spaghetti mixture to the greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.
  8. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole.
  9. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  10. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  11. Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
  12. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley (if desired) and serve hot.

This crowd-pleasing spaghetti casserole combines the flavors of spaghetti and a hearty meat sauce in a convenient baked form. For a complete meal, serve with a side salad and garlic bread.