Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting, cheesy, and hearty baked pasta dish that’s perfect for family dinners. Combining classic spaghetti flavors with creamy cheeses, it offers a delicious twist on traditional spaghetti that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. spaghetti noodles
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 lb. ground beef
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 8 oz. cottage cheese
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ½ cup butter, melted
• Parmesan cheese to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Step 2: Cook the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
3. Step 3: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Drain any excess fat. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Step 4: Stir the spaghetti sauce into the cooked ground beef and mix well.
5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream until smooth and well blended.
6. Step 6: Spread the melted butter evenly over the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
7. Step 7: Layer half of the cooked noodles in the dish.
8. Step 8: Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
9. Step 9: Add the remaining noodles as a second layer over the cheese mixture.
10. Step 10: Pour the meat and sauce mixture over the top.
11. Step 11: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top and bake for an additional 15 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For added flavor, try mixing in sautéed onions and garlic with the ground beef.
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• Use mozzarella or a blend of Italian cheeses alongside Parmesan for a gooier casserole.
• To add vegetables, stir in chopped spinach or mushrooms with the cheese mixture.

Storage

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through or microwave individual portions for convenience. The casserole also freezes well; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pasta instead of dried spaghetti?

Yes, fresh pasta can be used, but adjust the cooking time since it cooks faster. Be careful not to overcook before layering in the casserole.

Is it possible to make this casserole vegetarian?

Absolutely. Simply omit the ground beef and use vegetable-based spaghetti sauce. You can add sautéed vegetables or plant-based meat substitutes for extra texture and flavor.

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 146 reviews

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting layered baked pasta dish that combines tender spaghetti noodles, rich ground beef in flavorful spaghetti sauce, and a creamy blend of cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream. Topped with melted butter and Parmesan cheese, this hearty casserole is perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Meat

• 1 lb. Spaghetti noodles
• 1 lb. Ground beef
• 1 Jar spaghetti sauce (approximately 24 oz.)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cheese Mixture

• 8 oz. Cream cheese, softened
• 8 oz. Cottage cheese
• ¼ cup Sour cream

Additional Ingredients

• ½ cup Butter, melted
• Parmesan cheese, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
2. Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti noodles according to package directions until al dente, then drain well to remove excess water.
3. Brown Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Drain any excess fat from the pan and season with salt and pepper to your preference.
4. Combine Meat and Sauce: Stir the jar of spaghetti sauce into the browned ground beef until thoroughly mixed.
5. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, vigorously stir together the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
6. Butter Baking Dish: Spread the melted butter evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
7. Layer Noodles and Cheese: Place half of the cooked spaghetti noodles evenly in the baking dish. Spread the cheese mixture over the noodles in an even layer.
8. Add Second Layer of Noodles: Add the remaining half of the noodles on top of the cheese layer, creating a second spaghetti layer.
9. Top with Meat Sauce: Pour the meat and spaghetti sauce mixture evenly over the top layer of noodles.
10. Bake First: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes to meld the flavors.
11. Add Parmesan and Bake Again: Remove the casserole briefly, sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top to taste, and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving to allow it to set and make serving easier.

Notes

• You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meat option.
• Use low-fat cream cheese and cottage cheese to reduce fat content.
• Spaghetti noodles can be replaced with any pasta shape you prefer.
• Add vegetables such as diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra nutrition.
• For a crispier top, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely to prevent burning.

Keywords: Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole, spaghetti casserole, baked spaghetti, ground beef casserole, creamy pasta bake, comfort food casserole