Spaghetti casserole is a cozy, crowd-pleasing favorite that layers familiar pasta-night flavors—savory meat, tangy tomato sauce, and creamy cheese—into one rich and satisfying dish. Ideal for feeding the family or serving at a gathering, this version takes the classic to new heights.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
Ingredients
Ingredient Quantity
Spaghetti noodles 8 ounces
Ground beef 1 pound
Onion, chopped 1 medium
Garlic, minced 2 cloves
Cream cheese, softened 8 ounces
Sour cream 1/2 cup
Cottage cheese 1/2 cup
Unsalted butter 1/4 cup
Tomato sauce 1 can (15 oz)
Crushed tomatoes 1 can (15 oz)
Italian seasoning 1 tablespoon
Salt and pepper To taste
Shredded mozzarella cheese 2 cups
Grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup
Fresh parsley, chopped Optional garnish
Instructions
Preheat Oven
Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the Pasta
Boil spaghetti until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Brown the Beef
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until fully browned. Drain excess fat.
Sauté Aromatics
Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until onions are soft and translucent.
Add Tomatoes & Seasoning
Stir in the tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for a few minutes.
Make Cream Layer
In a bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and butter until smooth and well blended.
Layer the Casserole
Spread half the spaghetti into the bottom of the dish.
Top with the cream cheese mixture.
Spoon the meat sauce evenly over the cheese layer.
Add the remaining spaghetti noodles.
Top with Cheese
Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top layer of spaghetti.
Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
Garnish and Serve
Let rest for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
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