Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti combines creamy, cheesy layers that make dinner feel like a total splurge without breaking the bank. Comfort meets convenience in this crowd-pleasing pasta bake that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Boil 12 ounces of spaghetti in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then thoroughly drain.
- Brown 1 pound ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves for 7-8 minutes.
- Pour 2 cups marinara sauce into the beef mixture and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Mix cooked spaghetti with 1 cup cottage cheese, 1 cup sour cream, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Spread half of the spaghetti-cheese mixture across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
- Distribute half of the seasoned meat sauce evenly over the spaghetti layer.
- Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan cheese across the meat sauce.
- Repeat layers with remaining spaghetti mixture, meat sauce, and 1 cup mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan cheese on top.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to help it set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that keeps the dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Enhance the casserole’s texture by letting it rest 10 minutes after baking, which helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
- Prepare the entire casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve – perfect for meal planning and busy weeknights.
- Add extra depth by mixing Italian herbs directly into the cheese layer or sprinkling fresh basil on top just before serving for a bright, fresh finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg