Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

  • Author: Linda
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 68 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

You have to try this Million Dollar Spaghetti! It’s so cheesy and delicious, perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner at home. Great for weekends or anytime you want comfort food!


Ingredients

Scale

1 16 ounce package spaghetti
1 pound lean ground beef or sausage combination
1 tablespoon of black pepper
salt to taste
1 16 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
1/2 stick butter cut into small chunks
1 cup whole milk cottage cheese
1 8 ounce package cream cheese softened
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion diced
3 cloves of fresh garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh parsley
1 8 oz package of Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 8 oz package shredded Cheddar cheese


Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until ‘al dente’.
3. Place the chunks of butter in the drained spaghetti and mix until coated, then set aside.
4. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the diced onions, pepper, garlic and olive oil. Cook until onions are slightly tender. Then add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess grease.
5. Add the jar of pasta sauce and fresh parsley to the skillet, mixing well. Reduce to low heat to simmer.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until well blended.
7. Add the cooked spaghetti to the large bowl with the creamy mixture and toss until well coated.
8. In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, pour the creamy spaghetti mixture and top with 3/4 of the pasta sauce. Toss well.
9. Add half of the shredded Cheddar and half of the Mozzarella cheese to the creamy spaghetti mixture and toss again.
10. Pour the remaining pasta sauce evenly over the top of the spaghetti.
11. Top with the remaining cheeses evenly.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
13. Enjoy!


Notes

Meat Variations: You can use a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage for a richer flavor. If you prefer a lighter option, try using ground turkey or chicken.

Cheese Substitutions: If you’re not a fan of cottage cheese, ricotta cheese is a great alternative. It adds a creamy texture while keeping the dish authentic.

Make-Ahead Tip: This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated overnight. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before placing it in the oven.

Crispy Cheese Topping: For a golden-brown crust, broil the dish for the last 2-3 minutes of baking. This will give the cheese a crispy, bubbly texture for extra appeal.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion (1/8 of the casserole)
  • Calories: ~580 kcal
  • Sugar: ~7g
  • Sodium: ~850mg
  • Fat: ~32g
  • Saturated Fat: ~16g
  • Unsaturated Fat: ~12g
  • Trans Fat: ~0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: ~45g
  • Fiber: ~3g
  • Protein: ~28g
  • Cholesterol: ~85mg

Keywords: Million Dollar Spaghetti, baked spaghetti casserole, cheesy pasta bake, creamy spaghetti, ground beef pasta, Italian-American dinner, easy family meal, comfort food, make-ahead casserole, cheesy baked pasta.