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Million Dollar Spaghetti: Easy and Delicious Recipe

MILLION DOLLAR SPAGHETTI centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
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Million Dollar Spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy pasta casserole popular on Pinterest in the USA. This million dollar spaghetti casserole layers spaghetti with meat sauce, cream cheese, and mozzarella for a budget-friendly family meal. Enjoy this creamy million dollar spaghetti as a comforting dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to preheat.
  2. Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage in a large skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove most of the fat, then add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion turns see-through. Stir in all but half a cup of marinara sauce and take the mixture off the heat.
  3. Cook the spaghetti following package directions just until it is al dente. Drain it and while still warm, place it in a large bowl with butter and the reserved half cup of marinara sauce and mix well.
  4. In a separate bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese thoroughly.
  5. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the spaghetti first, then spread the cheese mixture evenly over it. Add the remaining spaghetti on top, spread the meat sauce over the pasta, and smooth it out. Finish by sprinkling shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheeses over the top.
  6. Bake the casserole for 30 to 40 minutes until it is hot and bubbly. Check after 20 minutes and cover with foil if the cheese browns too quickly. Let it cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • You can prepare this spaghetti casserole up to a day before baking by completing assembly and storing it cool and covered in the fridge
  • For freezing, assemble but do not bake
  • wrap tightly and freeze for up to three months
  • Thaw in the fridge 1-2 days before baking
  • To bake from frozen, cover and bake about 40 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 30-40 minutes until warm and bubbly
  • For a vegetarian option, omit meat or use plant-based substitutes
  • Both ground beef and Italian sausage are used for flavor but are optional
  • Spaghetti noodles can be swapped for your preferred pasta type

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.amgroyal.com/million-dollar-spaghetti/