Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and comforting baked pasta casserole featuring layers of spaghetti, savory ground beef, a creamy blend of cheeses, and marinara sauce. This hearty dish combines tender noodles with a flavorful meat sauce topped with a luscious cheese mixture and melted mozzarella, perfect for family dinners or a crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb. spaghetti noodles
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
Sauces and Cheese Mixtures
- 1 jar (24 oz.) marinara sauce
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well, then transfer to a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish to form the base layer.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with salt and Italian seasoning until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat or liquid from the pan.
- Toss Spaghetti with Sauce: Pour ½ cup of marinara sauce over the noodles in the casserole dish and gently toss using tongs to coat the spaghetti evenly with the sauce.
- Simmer Meat Sauce: Add the remaining marinara sauce to the cooked ground beef in the skillet and simmer on low heat for a few minutes to blend flavors.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Layer Meat Sauce: Spread the warm meat and marinara sauce mixture evenly over the sauced spaghetti in the casserole dish.
- Spread Cheese Mixture: Add dollops of the cheese mixture over the meat sauce. Use a spatula to gently spread it evenly across the top layer.
- Add Mozzarella Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the cheese layer to create a gooey, golden top when baked.
- Bake and Rest: Bake the assembled casserole in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbly and cheese is melted. Allow the dish to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving to set the layers.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a leaner option.
- Use low-fat or part-skim cheeses to reduce fat content without sacrificing creaminess.
- Adding fresh basil or oregano to the marinara sauce can enhance the flavor profile.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free spaghetti noodles.
