Servings: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
Zoodles
- 2 (12-ounce) bags frozen zucchini noodles
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Meat Sauce
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef (90/10)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar thick marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional if using a thick sauce)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Million Dollar Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup shredded provolone
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
Step 1: Cook the Meat Sauce
Brown the ground beef and onion until cooked through.
Drain grease.
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Stir in:
- marinara
- tomato paste (if using)
- Italian seasoning
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt
- pepper
Simmer for 10–15 minutes until nice and thick.
Step 2: Prepare the Zoodles
Cook the frozen zoodles in a very hot skillet for only 2–3 minutes.
Do not thaw first.
Drain any liquid.
Spread them onto paper towels for 5–10 minutes.
Pat dry well.
Toss with:
- butter
- Parmesan
This is the secret to keeping the casserole from becoming watery.
Step 3: Make the Million Dollar Layer
Mix together:
- softened cream cheese
- ricotta
- sour cream
- Parmesan
- egg
- Italian seasoning
- garlic powder
- parsley
until completely smooth.
Step 4: Assemble
Spread the buttered zoodles evenly in the baking dish.
Top with the entire cheese mixture and spread gently.
Spoon the meat sauce evenly over the cheese layer.
Top with:
- mozzarella
- provolone
- Parmesan
Bake
Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
Broil 2–3 minutes until the cheese is lightly golden.
Let rest 15–20 minutes before serving.
texasgirlcooks.com 