Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole layers pasta, beef, and creamy cheese into rich comfort. It’s a dish that feeds a crowd and earns praise every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 lb jar of marinara sauce
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ⅔ cup Parmesan cheese
Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook 16 oz spaghetti noodles according to package directions. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Blend 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1 cup cottage cheese, and ¼ cup sour cream in a mixing bowl until smooth.
- Brown 1 lb ground beef with ½ cup chopped onion in a skillet until meat loses pink color. Drain excess fat.
- Combine browned beef with 2 lb marinara sauce in the same skillet. Stir thoroughly.
- Spread half the cooked noodles across the bottom of prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle ⅔ cup Parmesan cheese over noodle layer.
- Carefully spread entire cheese mixture across noodles.
- Cover with remaining noodles.
- Pour meat and marinara sauce over top, ensuring complete coverage.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350°F.
- Remove casserole and distribute 2 cups shredded cheese evenly across surface.
- Return to oven for additional 15 minutes until cheese melts completely.
- Allow casserole to rest 10 minutes before serving to set layers.
Notes
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to reduce fat content.
- Cottage cheese can be replaced with ricotta for a smoother, richer texture in the cheese layer.
- Prepare this casserole ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which helps meld flavors.
- Freeze individual portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for easy weeknight meals later.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 522 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg