Description
Creamy, cheesy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole brings comfort and indulgence to family dinner tables. Layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese create a hearty meal that satisfies hunger and warms hearts, promising deliciousness you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound cottage cheese (1 cup)
Dairy:
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
Pasta and Sauce:
- 1 package spaghetti (16 ounces)
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a 9×13-inch baking dish for the casserole.
- Cook spaghetti noodles until they reach a tender yet firm al dente texture, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- Create a smooth, creamy base by whisking cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until completely integrated.
- In a skillet, thoroughly brown the ground beef, draining excess fat, then blend with spaghetti sauce.
- Generously butter the baking dish, then arrange the first layer of cooked spaghetti noodles across the bottom.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the initial noodle layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Add the remaining spaghetti noodles atop the cream cheese layer, strategically dotting with additional butter pieces.
- Cascade the seasoned meat and spaghetti sauce mixture over the top noodle layer.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and casserole to heat thoroughly.
- Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the casserole and return to oven for 15 more minutes until cheese melts and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- Remove from oven and let rest briefly before serving this comforting, rich pasta dish.
Notes
- Boost flavor by adding garlic or Italian herbs to the ground beef while browning for extra depth.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to meld and making meal prep easier.
- Use low-fat dairy options like reduced-fat cream cheese and cottage cheese to create a lighter version without sacrificing taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 553
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg