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Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 102 reviews

Million Dollar Spaghetti is a comforting, cheesy baked spaghetti casserole featuring a rich meat sauce made from ground beef and Italian sausage layered with creamy cheeses and baked to bubbly perfection. This recipe combines tender spaghetti noodles tossed with butter and marinara, a hearty meat sauce, and a luscious three-cheese mixture, making it an indulgent family favorite perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Spaghetti and Sauce

  • 16 ounces spaghetti noodles
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage, or pork sausage
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 3 tablespoons butter

Cheese Layer

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese

Toppings

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare it for baking the casserole.
  2. Make meat sauce: In a large skillet, cook and crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove most of the grease from the pan. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking for a few minutes until the onions turn translucent. Stir in all but 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce, combining thoroughly. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Cook spaghetti: Prepare the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and place the hot noodles in a large mixing bowl. Immediately toss with butter and the reserved 1/2 cup marinara sauce to prevent sticking and add flavor.
  4. Prepare cheese layer: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage or ricotta cheese. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
  5. Assemble casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the buttered spaghetti noodles evenly on the bottom. Layer the cheese mixture smoothly over the noodles. Top with the remaining noodles, then spread the meat sauce evenly on top. Finish by sprinkling shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese over the entire casserole.
  6. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until hot and bubbly. Check at around 20 minutes; if the cheese starts browning too quickly, tent the dish with aluminum foil to prevent burning. Once baked, remove from oven and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before cutting to allow it to set properly. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  • Make Ahead: You can prepare the casserole up to step 6 (before baking), cool it, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking.
  • Freezing: Prepare the casserole through step 6, then cover tightly with greased aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before baking at 350°F for 20 minutes covered, then 20-25 minutes uncovered. If baking frozen, bake covered for 40 minutes, then uncovered for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly.
  • Vegetarian Option: Omit meat or substitute with plant-based meat alternatives to make a vegetarian version.
  • Meat Choices: Using both ground beef and Italian sausage adds depth of flavor, but you may use just one type. Any leftover sausage can be saved for other recipes like Baked Ziti or Pizza Casserole.
  • Pasta Variations: Spaghetti is traditional for this dish, but feel free to substitute your favorite pasta type like penne or rigatoni if preferred.

Keywords: Million Dollar Spaghetti, baked spaghetti casserole, cheesy spaghetti bake, Italian-American pasta dish, ground beef spaghetti recipe, sausage spaghetti casserole

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