Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting layered pasta bake featuring spaghetti, a savory meat sauce, a creamy cheese layer, and a golden cheesy topping. Perfect for family dinners, this baked casserole combines the rich flavors of ground beef, Italian seasoning, and a luscious blend of cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream, all topped with mozzarella and Parmesan for a deliciously indulgent meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti (uncooked)
- Water (for boiling)
- Salt (for pasta water)
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 24 oz marinara or meatless pasta sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Creamy Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
Cheese Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Garnish
- Chopped parsley or basil
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the meat sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Prepare the creamy layer: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream. Mix until smooth and fully blended.
- Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread half of the cooked spaghetti evenly across the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon half of the creamy cheese mixture over the pasta, then add half of the meat sauce on top. Repeat the layering process one more time with the remaining spaghetti, creamy mixture, and meat sauce.
- Add cheese topping: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the top of the final meat sauce layer.
- Bake the casserole: Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative and use marinara sauce.
- Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To save time, use pre-minced garlic and pre-chopped onions.
Keywords: spaghetti casserole, baked pasta, ground beef casserole, creamy pasta bake, Italian comfort food, spaghetti bake
