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Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

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3.9 from 48 reviews

Tasty Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and flavorful baked pasta casserole featuring layers of buttered spaghetti, a creamy cheese mixture, and a savory meat sauce topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan. This comforting Italian-American dish combines ground beef, Italian sausage, marinara, and three types of cheese for a decadent baked spaghetti that is perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

  • 10 oz ground beef
  • 10 oz Italian sausage
  • 1 large onion, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 24 oz marinara sauce (preferably Rao’s Homemade)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

For the Pasta and Cheese Layer:

  • 16 oz spaghetti
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter (such as Kerrygold)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature (about 70°F)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1.5 cups cottage cheese

For the Topping:

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella (from a block for better melting)
  • 2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Dice the onion into 1/2-inch pieces and mince the garlic cloves. Measure out the marinara sauce, setting aside 1/2 cup separately for the pasta and keeping the remaining 23.5 oz for the meat sauce. Measure and prepare all cheeses, cutting the softened cream cheese into small chunks to ensure it blends smoothly.
  2. Cook Meat Sauce: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Break the meat apart as it cooks until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease carefully. Add the diced onions and minced garlic to the meat and cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and onions start to soften. Pour in the reserved 23.5 oz marinara sauce, season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Stir well and simmer on low heat for 5-10 minutes to meld flavors.
  3. Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain the spaghetti once cooked.
  4. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  5. Toss Spaghetti with Butter and Sauce: Immediately after draining, toss the hot spaghetti with butter and the 1/2 cup reserved marinara sauce. This coats the noodles to prevent sticking and adds flavor. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
  6. Assemble the Casserole: Spread half of the buttered spaghetti evenly in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the entire cheese mixture over this spaghetti layer. Top with the remaining buttered spaghetti. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the top spaghetti layer, spreading it to cover the surface completely.
  7. Add Cheese Topping and Bake: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the meat sauce, then top with grated parmesan cheese. Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for 30-40 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden, and the edges are heated through. Start checking at 30 minutes as baking time may vary based on dish depth.
  8. Rest and Serve: Remove the baked spaghetti from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before serving. Resting helps the dish set, making it easier to slice and enhancing the mingling of flavors.

Notes

  • Using block cheese and shredding it yourself ensures better melting than pre-shredded cheese with additives.
  • Letting the cheese mixture soften to room temperature will help it blend more smoothly.
  • Resting the baked casserole for 15 minutes is crucial for clean serving and flavor development.
  • You can adjust the red pepper flakes for more or less spiciness depending on your taste.
  • Remove excess grease from cooked meat to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

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