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Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

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4.2 from 86 reviews

Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich, comforting baked pasta casserole featuring layers of al dente spaghetti, savory meat sauce made with ground beef and Italian sausage, creamy cheese blends, and melted mozzarella and parmesan. This hearty dish is baked to bubbly perfection, making it a perfect family meal that serves 15.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 15 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 16 ounces spaghetti noodles
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce (reserved from below)

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
  • 24 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

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
  2. 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 onions and minced garlic, cooking until the onions become translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in all but 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce and combine thoroughly. Set the meat sauce aside.
  3. Prepare Noodles: Cook the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain well and place the hot noodles into a large mixing bowl. Immediately add 3 tablespoons of butter and the reserved 1/2 cup marinara sauce, tossing gently to coat the noodles evenly. This adds flavor and prevents sticking.
  4. Make Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese (or ricotta) until smooth and well combined. This creamy layer adds richness and moisture to the casserole.
  5. Assemble the Casserole: Spread half of the buttered pasta evenly in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Carefully smooth the cheese mixture over this pasta layer. Add the remaining pasta noodles on top of the cheese layer, pressing gently. Pour the prepared meat sauce over the top and spread it into an even layer. Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese evenly across the top.
  6. Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes until it is hot and bubbly. Check at around 20 minutes and cover with foil if the cheese starts to brown too fast. After baking, let the casserole rest for at least 15 minutes to set before cutting and serving. Enjoy your comforting Million Dollar Spaghetti!

Notes

  • For a creamier texture, substitute ricotta cheese for the cottage cheese.
  • Make sure to drain the cooked spaghetti well to avoid a watery casserole.
  • Resting the casserole after baking helps it firm up and slice neatly.
  • You can prepare the meat sauce a day ahead and refrigerate to save time on baking day.
  • If you prefer, use turkey sausage for a leaner option.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/million-dollar-spaghetti-recipe/