Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

Introduction

This Million Dollar Spaghetti combines creamy Alfredo sauce with spicy turkey Bolognese for a rich, flavorful dish that feels like a special occasion dinner. Layers of cheese and bold seasonings make it a comforting meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 12 garlic cloves, chopped and divided
• 1/2 green pepper, chopped
• 28 oz marinara sauce
• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp Tony’s Creole seasoning, divided
• 2 tsp onion powder, divided
• 2 tsp garlic powder, divided
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 6 tbsp butter
• 2.5 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Dried parsley flakes, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add ground turkey, 1 tbsp Tony’s Creole seasoning, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, green pepper, chopped onion, 6 chopped garlic cloves, salt, and pepper. Sauté until the turkey is browned and the vegetables are softened.
2. Step 2: Pour in the marinara sauce, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Set aside once done.
3. Step 3: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Drain well.
4. Step 4: In a separate pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add smoked paprika, 1 tsp Tony’s Creole seasoning, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder. Stir until butter melts completely. Slowly add heavy cream and bring to a boil. Stir in the remaining 6 chopped garlic cloves (raw), then add Parmesan cheese. Lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens. Add the cooked spaghetti to the Alfredo sauce and mix well.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, spread the spaghetti Alfredo evenly. Pour the turkey Bolognese sauce over the top. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the layered pasta. Finish by sprinkling dried parsley flakes for garnish.
6. Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan and fresh garlic rather than pre-minced garlic.
• Substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef if preferred.
• Add mushrooms or spinach to the turkey sauce for additional vegetables.
• If you like it spicier, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
• Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe suitable for gluten-intolerant guests.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sauces and cook the spaghetti a day in advance. Assemble the dish before baking and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Is there a way to make this dish lighter?

To lighten it, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce the amount of cheese. Using ground chicken instead of turkey also lowers fat content.

Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 84 reviews

Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and creamy baked pasta dish combining tender spaghetti tossed in a homemade Alfredo sauce, layered with a flavorful turkey bolognese seasoned with Creole spices, herbs, and garlic, then topped with a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses and baked to bubbling perfection.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Meat Sauce

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 12 garlic cloves, chopped and divided
• 1/2 green pepper, chopped
• 28 oz marinara sauce
• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp Tony’s Creole seasoning, divided
• 2 tsp onion powder, divided
• 2 tsp garlic powder, divided
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 tbsp olive oil

Alfredo Sauce

• 6 tbsp butter
• 2.5 cups heavy cream
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp Tony’s Creole seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped (not sautéed)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Topping

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Dried parsley flakes for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the turkey bolognese sauce: In a pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, 1 tbsp Tony’s Creole seasoning, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, chopped green pepper, chopped onion, 6 cloves chopped garlic, salt, and pepper. Sauté together until the meat is browned and the vegetables are softened.
2. Add marinara and simmer: Pour in the marinara sauce, bring the pan to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook gently for about 15 minutes. Once done, set aside.
3. Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, as per package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
4. Prepare the Alfredo sauce: In a separate pot, melt the butter with smoked paprika, 1 tsp Tony’s Creole seasoning, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder over medium heat. When the butter is fully melted, add the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in the remaining 6 cloves of chopped garlic (without sautéing) and the grated Parmesan cheese. Lower the heat to a simmer and stir the sauce continuously for 2 minutes, then let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes until thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Toss spaghetti in Alfredo sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti into the pot with the Alfredo sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
6. Assemble and bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour the Alfredo-coated spaghetti into a baking dish. Layer the turkey bolognese sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the assembled dish. Finally, scatter dried parsley flakes as garnish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot. Enjoy your Million Dollar Spaghetti!

Notes

• You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef if preferred.
• Adjust the level of crushed red pepper flakes to make the dish spicier or milder according to your taste.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor in the Alfredo sauce.
• Do not sauté the garlic added to the Alfredo sauce to preserve its fresh, sharp flavor.
• Make sure to simmer the Alfredo sauce gently to avoid curdling the cream.
• This dish can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving to save time.

Keywords: Million Dollar Spaghetti, baked spaghetti, turkey bolognese, creamy Alfredo, comfort food, baked pasta, spaghetti casserole