Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti noodles according to package directions until al dente, then drain well to remove excess water.
- 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.
- Combine Meat and Sauce: Stir the jar of spaghetti sauce into the browned ground beef until thoroughly mixed.
- 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.
- Butter Baking Dish: Spread the melted butter evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- 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.
- Add Second Layer of Noodles: Add the remaining half of the noodles on top of the cheese layer, creating a second spaghetti layer.
- Top with Meat Sauce: Pour the meat and spaghetti sauce mixture evenly over the top layer of noodles.
- Bake First: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes to meld the flavors.
- 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.
- 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
