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Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 14 reviews
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

Million Dollar Spaghetti is a comforting baked casserole featuring layers of savory meat sauce, tender spaghetti, and a creamy cheese mixture. This hearty dish combines ground beef, Italian sausage, and a rich tomato sauce with a blend of cottage, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, it’s a delicious twist on classic spaghetti with a creamy, cheesy baked finish.

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cans pasta sauce (15 ounces each)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (15 ounces)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Pasta

  • 12 ounces spaghetti

Cheese Mixture

  • 3 cups cottage cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. Cook the meats: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until browned. Drain excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the meat. Cook until the onion turns translucent, about 5 minutes, releasing their flavors into the sauce.
  4. Simmer the sauce: Stir in the pasta sauce and diced tomatoes. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes so the flavors meld together.
  5. Cook spaghetti: Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
  6. Prepare cheese mixture: In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, half the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste, mixing until well blended.
  7. Assemble the casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the cooked spaghetti evenly. Top with half of the meat sauce, followed by half of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layering with the remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, and cheese mixture.
  8. Add final cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the last layer.
  9. Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
  10. Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
  11. Cool and serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly. Enjoy your comforting Million Dollar Spaghetti!

Notes

  • Using a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage adds depth of flavor to the meat sauce.
  • You can substitute cottage cheese with ricotta for a different texture.
  • Fresh parsley enhances the flavor but can be omitted or substituted with dried parsley.
  • Allow the baked casserole to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving to make slicing easier.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat leftovers in the oven for best texture rather than the microwave.

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