Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is the kind of easy dinner that instantly feels comforting, hearty, and worth making again. With layers of tender spaghetti, rich meat sauce, a creamy cheese filling, and a golden melted topping, this baked pasta is a perfect family dinner, easy recipe, and one of those dinner ideas that always disappears fast.
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
24 ounces marinara sauce
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the spaghetti in salted water until al dente, then drain and toss with the butter.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft.
4. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
5. Add the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, then simmer for 5 minutes.
6. In a mixing bowl, stir together the cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream until smooth.
7. Spread half of the spaghetti into the prepared baking dish.
8. Spoon the cheese mixture over the spaghetti and spread it evenly.
9. Add the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese layer.
10. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the pasta.
11. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan across the top.
12. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until hot and bubbly and the cheese is lightly golden.
13. Rest for 10 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve.
Notes
Do not overcook the spaghetti before baking, or the casserole can turn too soft after it finishes in the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 92 mg
Keywords: million dollar spaghetti casserole, baked spaghetti casserole, easy dinner, family dinner, comfort food, pasta bake, dinner ideas, easy recipe