Time
🔹 Servings: 8
🔹 Prep Time: 20 minutes
🔹 Bake Time: 45 minutes
🔹 Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Introduction
Feast your senses on the Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole – a family favorite dish that promises to bring comfort and satisfaction in every bite. This pasta dish merges the best of spaghetti and casserole, ensuring to leave everyone thankful for a delicious dinner!
Why Make This Recipe
Why settle for regular spaghetti when you can have the Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole? It utilizes simple and readily available ingredients, transformed into a comforting, cheesy, and delicious casserole. This recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd, making it a hit during family gatherings and potluck parties!
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
For a dish this good, the recipe steps are quite simple and direct. Here’s how to whip up this fantastic dish.
Ingredients
– 1 lb spaghetti
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
– 1/4 cup butter, sliced
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup cottage cheese
– 1 cup ricotta cheese
– 1/4 cup sour cream
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook spaghetti as per the package instructions until al dente. Drain it and then keep it aside.
3. Brown the ground beef in a pan over medium heat. Add onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Once well-cooked, drain the excess fat.
4. Mix in the marinara sauce and simmer for a stint.
5. In a different bowl, mix cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and sour cream.
6. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and place half of the sliced butter at the bottom.
7. Spread half of the cooked spaghetti over the butter.
8. Pour the cheese mixture over the spaghetti and spread evenly.
9. Add the remaining spaghetti over the layer of cheese.
10. Top it all with meat sauce and spread evenly.
11. Add the remaining butter slices on top, along with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
12. Bake the dish, without a cover, in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the cheese turns bubbly and golden.
How to Serve Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
Serve your Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole straight from the oven. Using a spatula, slice and transfer a generous portion to pasta plates. Pair it with some garlic bread and a fresh salad for a well-rounded meal. Bon Appétit!
How to Store Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
Leftover Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole should be covered and refrigerated within two hours. It can last up to 5 days.
Tips to make Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
For an extra meaty flavor, you might want to mix in a bit of Italian sausages to the ground beef. Also, letting the casserole sit for 10 to 15 minutes after baking allows the sauce and cheese to settle – making it easier to slice.
Variation
If you prefer a lighter casserole, you can use ground turkey as a substitute for beef. You can also add in vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini for added nutrition.
FAQ
– Can I substitute ricotta cheese?
Yes, if you don’t have ricotta cheese, you might use cream cheese.
– Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! Simply follow the steps up to assembling the casserole. Cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
– Can I freeze Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole?
Yes! Bake it as per the recipe, allow it to cool, then slice and freeze individual portions in freezer bags. This makes it an ideal option for meal prep!