Description

Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and creamy baked spaghetti casserole featuring layers of spaghetti, a savory meat sauce made with ground beef and Italian sausage, and a luscious cheese mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, this comforting dish is baked until bubbling and golden, perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Meat Sauce

1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground Italian sausage or pork sausage
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
24 ounces marinara sauce (reserve 1/2 cup for noodles)

Pasta

16 ounces spaghetti noodles
3 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup reserved marinara sauce (from above)

Cheese Layer

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese

Topping

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to get it ready for baking the assembled casserole.
Make the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, cook and crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drain most of the grease. Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onions are translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in all but 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce, combining well. Set aside.
Prepare the Noodles: Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain the pasta and immediately place it in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and the reserved 1/2 cup marinara sauce, tossing the noodles until evenly coated and combined.
Make the Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese or ricotta until smooth and well combined.
Assemble the Casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the buttered noodles in an even layer. Smooth the cheese mixture over the noodles to form the middle layer. Top with the remaining noodles, then evenly spread the prepared meat sauce over the top. Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan evenly over the assembled layers.
Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the cheese is hot, melted, and bubbly. Check at about 20 minutes to tent with foil if the cheese is browning too quickly. Once baked, let the casserole sit for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow it to set properly.

Notes

To Make Ahead: Prepare the casserole through the assembly phase, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking.
To Freeze: Assemble casserole and cover tightly with greased foil; freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator 1-2 days before baking. From thawed, bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncovered for 20-25 minutes. If baking from frozen, bake covered for about 40 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 30-40 minutes until bubbly.
Vegetarian Option: Omit the meat or use plant-based meat substitutes for a vegetarian version.
Meat Variations: Both ground beef and Italian sausage add great flavor, but either can be used alone as well.
Pasta Choice: Spaghetti is traditional, but any pasta you prefer will work well in this casserole.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/15th of the casserole)
Calories: 350
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 605mg
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0.2g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 17g
Cholesterol: 60mg