Million Dollar Italian Casserole
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Million Dollar Italian Casserole, a rich and decadent layered dish that brings together the best of classic Italian flavors. Packed with hearty layers of seasoned ground beef, Italian sausage, and marinara sauce, it’s elevated by a creamy blend of ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, and mozzarella for a luxurious, velvety texture. Tossed with tender penne or ziti pasta and finished with gooey melted cheese and a hint of fresh parsley, this casserole is baked to golden perfection. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, this easy-to-make recipe is a crowd-pleaser that serves up big, bold flavors in every bite. With just 20 minutes of prep time, you’ll love how seamlessly this comforting dish comes together while satisfying your craving for Italian-inspired cuisine.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 16 ounces pasta (penne or ziti)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes.
Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the marinara sauce to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Mix until smooth and well blended.
Add the cheese mixture to the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with half of the meat sauce, then sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta mixture, meat sauce, and another 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the top layer with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown on top.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped parsley, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6490 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 465.4 g | 597% | |
| Saturated Fat | 222.3 g | 1112% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 27.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1498 mg | 499% | |
| Sodium | 11812 mg | 514% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 232.7 g | 85% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.8 g | 53% | |
| Total Sugars | 42.6 g | ||
| Protein | 368.0 g | 736% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.5 mcg | 23% | |
| Calcium | 5421 mg | 417% | |
| Iron | 20.3 mg | 113% | |
| Potassium | 3501 mg | 74% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
