Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and creamy casserole featuring spaghetti combined with a savory lean ground beef sauce, layered with a blend of cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream, then topped with melted sharp Cheddar cheese. This comforting dish is perfect for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 (8 ounce) package spaghetti
Beef Sauce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
Dairy and Cheese
- ½ cup butter, sliced - divided
- 1 (8 ounce) container cottage cheese
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in boiling water until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 to 12 minutes. Drain the spaghetti and set aside.
- Prepare Ground Beef Sauce: While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir lean ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess grease and discard. Transfer beef to a bowl, stir in the jar of spaghetti sauce to combine.
- Assemble Casserole Base: Place half of the butter slices into the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Spread half of the cooked spaghetti evenly over the butter layer.
- Add Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the spaghetti layer in the casserole dish.
- Layer Remaining Ingredients: Spread the remaining spaghetti over the cheese mixture. Top with the remaining butter slices. Pour the prepared ground beef and spaghetti sauce mixture over everything and spread it out evenly.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Add Cheddar and Finish Baking: Remove casserole from oven, spread shredded sharp Cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return casserole to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 15 minutes more.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your Million Dollar Spaghetti!
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and grease in the dish.
- Adjust the baking time if your oven runs hotter or cooler.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute light cream cheese and reduced-fat sour cream.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated well.
- For extra flavor, add Italian seasoning or fresh basil to the beef sauce if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
