Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and creamy baked pasta casserole layered with a savory meat sauce, creamy cheese mixture, and topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. This hearty dish combines spaghetti noodles cooked al dente, ground beef and Italian sausage simmered with onions, garlic, and marinara sauce, then layered with a luscious blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese, baked to golden bubbly perfection. Perfect for large gatherings, this comforting Italian-American meal serves 15 and offers a delicious twist on traditional spaghetti.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
- 16 ounces spaghetti noodles
- 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
- 3 Tablespoons butter
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
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare for baking the assembled spaghetti 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. Once browned, remove most of the grease. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for a few minutes until the onion is translucent. Stir in all but 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce and mix well. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Noodles: Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until just al dente. Drain the noodles and place them in a large mixing bowl while still hot. Add the butter and the reserved 1/2 cup marinara sauce to the noodles and toss gently to combine and coat evenly.
- Make Cheese Layer: In a separate 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, pour half of the coated spaghetti noodles evenly across the bottom. Spread the cheese mixture layer evenly over the noodles. Add the remaining spaghetti noodles on top of the cheese layer and then spread the prepared meat sauce evenly over the noodles. Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until hot and bubbly. Around 20 minutes into baking, check the casserole and if the cheese is browning too quickly, cover loosely with a piece of aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: After baking, allow the casserole to rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting. This helps the dish set and makes it easier to serve. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy million dollar spaghetti!
Notes
- For best results, use fresh ground Italian sausage or pork sausage for richer flavor.
- Allowing the casserole to rest after baking ensures it holds its shape when sliced.
- You can substitute cottage cheese with ricotta cheese depending on your texture preference.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce while cooking.
- This recipe can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; bake it fresh when ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/15th of casserole)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
