Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and creamy baked pasta casserole that combines al dente spaghetti noodles with seasoned ground beef and layers of creamy cheeses. Topped with marinara and mozzarella, this hearty dish is perfect for family dinners and serves up to eight people.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb. spaghetti noodles
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
Sauces and Cheeses
- 1 jar (24 oz.) marinara sauce
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- â…“ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F to prepare it for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti noodles following package instructions until al dente. Drain and place the noodles evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13 casserole dish.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with salt and Italian seasoning until browned. Drain any excess liquid from the pan to avoid sogginess.
- Toss Spaghetti with Sauce: Pour half a cup of marinara sauce over the spaghetti in the casserole dish. Use tongs to gently mix so the noodles are coated.
- Simmer Meat Sauce: Add the remaining marinara sauce to the cooked beef and simmer on low heat for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy.
- Layer Meat Sauce: Spread the meat and marinara sauce evenly over the sauced spaghetti in the baking dish.
- Add Cheese Layer: Dollop the cheese mixture over the meat sauce, then use a spatula to spread it out evenly across the top.
- Top with Mozzarella: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the cheese layer, covering the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the casserole to cool and set for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing to retain its layers and serve easily.
Notes
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Use whole milk cottage cheese for creamier texture or low-fat for a lighter dish.
- Letting the casserole rest helps prevent it from falling apart when serving.
- Feel free to add vegetables like sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers to the meat sauce for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Make sure to drain the cooked spaghetti well to avoid a watery casserole.
