Description

Million Dollar Spaghetti is a comforting baked pasta dish featuring layers of spaghetti tossed in marinara and butter, a creamy cheese mixture, a savory meat sauce with ground beef and Italian sausage, and topped with a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Baked until bubbly and golden, this hearty casserole is perfect for feeding a crowd and offers a rich twist on classic spaghetti.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Pasta

16 ounces spaghetti noodles
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup marinara sauce (reserved)

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
23 1/2 ounces marinara sauce

Cheese Layer

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

Toppings

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 to prepare for baking the casserole.
Make Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove most of the grease from the pan. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in all but ½ cup of the marinara sauce and combine well. Set aside.
Prepare Noodles: Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until just al dente. Drain the noodles and immediately place them in a large mixing bowl. While still hot, add the butter and the reserved ½ cup of marinara sauce, then toss to coat the noodles evenly.
Make Cheese Layer: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese or ricotta cheese. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
Assemble Casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the buttered spaghetti noodles evenly on the bottom. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles. Add the remaining noodles on top, then pour the meat sauce evenly over the pasta layer and smooth it out. Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the dish is hot and bubbly. Check at about 20 minutes; if the cheese is browning too fast, tent a piece of aluminum foil over the top to prevent over-browning.
Rest and Serve: After baking, let the casserole rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows it to set up for easier slicing and enhances flavor melding. Enjoy your Million Dollar Spaghetti!

Notes

You can substitute cottage cheese with ricotta cheese for a smoother texture in the cheese layer.
Ground Italian sausage can be replaced with pork sausage if desired.
Make sure not to overcook the spaghetti; al dente texture is best to avoid mushiness after baking.
If you want a spicier twist, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce while cooking.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/15th of recipe)
Calories: 380
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 580mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0.3g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 55mg