Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy baked spaghetti casserole that combines ground beef and Italian sausage with a rich blend of cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream. Topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this comforting pasta dish is perfect for family dinners or meal prepping, offering layers of flavor and a satisfying texture baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook Meat and Onions: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion. Cook the mixture until the meat is browned and the onion becomes soft, which should take about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Simmer Sauce: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant. Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Then, add the marinara sauce, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream. Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Assemble Casserole: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the cooked spaghetti evenly across the bottom. Layer the cheese mixture over the spaghetti. Add the remaining spaghetti as the next layer. Pour the prepared meat sauce evenly over the top layer of noodles.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses over the top of the casserole. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Brown and Serve: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ricotta cheese for the cottage cheese if you prefer a different texture.
- This dish freezes well; assemble it and freeze before baking for a convenient make-ahead meal.
