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Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 128 reviews

Million Dollar Spaghetti is a comforting baked pasta casserole that layers perfectly cooked spaghetti noodles with seasoned ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and a creamy blend of cheeses. This hearty dish is baked until bubbly and golden, making it an ideal meal for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 lb. spaghetti noodles

Meat and Seasoning

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning

Sauces and Cheeses

  • 1 jar (24 oz.) marinara sauce
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the casserole later.
  2. Cook the spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well, then place the noodles evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish.
  3. Brown the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef along with salt and Italian seasoning. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add sauce to the spaghetti: Pour ½ cup of the marinara sauce over the spaghetti in the casserole dish. Use tongs to gently toss and coat the noodles evenly with the sauce.
  5. Simmer the meat sauce: Add the remaining marinara sauce to the browned meat in the skillet. Reduce heat to low and simmer for a few minutes to blend flavors.
  6. Prepare the cheese mixture: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and grated Parmesan. Mix until smooth and creamy.
  7. Assemble the casserole: Spread the simmered meat sauce evenly over the sauced spaghetti noodles in the casserole dish.
  8. Add the cheese mixture: Place dollops of the cheese mixture on top of the meat sauce. Use a spatula to carefully spread it out over the entire surface.
  9. Top with mozzarella: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the cheese layer for a gooey, golden finish.
  10. Bake and rest: Bake the assembled casserole in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden. Let the casserole rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving to allow it to set.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat in the dish.
  • For a tangier sauce, add a splash of red wine during simmering.
  • Substitute cottage cheese with ricotta for a smoother texture.
  • The casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking.
  • Leftovers store well and can be reheated covered in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: spaghetti bake, baked spaghetti casserole, creamed cheese spaghetti, cheesy pasta bake, Italian comfort food, easy family dinner

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