Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti: Rich, cheesy, and hearty baked pasta featuring ground beef, marinara sauce, and loads of mozzarella. Perfect crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (450g) spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or Italian sausage for extra flavor)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 jars (24 oz/680g each) marinara sauce (or homemade spaghetti sauce)
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240g) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (120g) cottage cheese
- 2 cups (225g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tbsp (56g) butter, sliced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. While waiting for the water, let the cream cheese soften at room temperature, and grate your cheeses if not using pre-shredded. Chop your onion, mince the garlic, and measure out remaining ingredients to streamline the cooking process.
- Step 2: Cook The Pasta Add spaghetti to boiling water and cook until al dente, typically 2 minutes less than package instructions (about 7-8 minutes). You want the pasta slightly firm as it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain well but do not rinse—the starchy coating helps the sauce adhere better to your **Million Dollar Spaghetti**.
- Step 3: Prepare The Meat Sauce In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. When it’s about halfway cooked (after 3-4 minutes), add the diced onion and continue cooking until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Drain excess fat if necessary, then stir in the marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Make The Cheese Mixture In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until smooth. This creamy mixture is what gives **Million Dollar Spaghetti** its distinctive rich texture and flavor that sets it apart from ordinary pasta bakes.
- Step 5: Assemble The Casserole Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place half the cooked spaghetti in the bottom of the dish. Dot with half the butter slices. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Add the remaining spaghetti on top and dot with the remaining butter slices. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the top layer of pasta. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and finish with a layer of Parmesan cheese.
- Step 6: Bake To Perfection Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let the **Million Dollar Spaghetti** rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set. This waiting period, though difficult with the amazing aromas filling your kitchen, is crucial for clean slices.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Americaine
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hearty slice
- Calories: 550 calories per serving
- Sugar: 8 grams
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 32 grams
- Saturated Fat: 16 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 40 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Million Dollar Spaghetti