Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a rich, creamy, and satisfying dish that combines the best elements of pasta and lasagna into one delicious casserole. This recipe is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any gathering where you want to impress with a hearty, flavorful meal. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to create this indulgent casserole, ensuring your dish lives up to its “million dollar” name.
Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients to make this culinary masterpiece:
- 1 (8 ounce) package spaghetti
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
- 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
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Having the oven ready at the right temperature is crucial for ensuring that your casserole bakes evenly.
Step 2: Cook the Spaghetti
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook it until it is al dente, which means it should be cooked through but still firm to the bite. This usually takes about 8 to 12 minutes. Once done, drain the spaghetti and set it aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Ground Beef
While the spaghetti is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef to the skillet and cook it until it is browned and crumbly, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes. Once the beef is cooked, drain and discard any excess grease. Transfer the cooked beef to a bowl and mix in the jar of spaghetti sauce until the beef is well-coated.
Step 4: Layer the Casserole
Now it’s time to start assembling the casserole. Begin by placing half of the butter slices into the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Spread half of the cooked spaghetti over the butter slices.
In a separate bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, and sour cream until well-blended. Spread this creamy mixture over the layer of spaghetti in the dish.
Next, add the remaining half of the spaghetti on top of the cheese mixture, and then top with the remaining butter slices. This layering ensures that every bite of the casserole is rich and flavorful.
Step 5: Add the Beef Mixture
Pour the ground beef and spaghetti sauce mixture over the top layer of spaghetti, spreading it out evenly to ensure it covers the entire dish. This will provide a savory and robust flavor to the casserole.
Step 6: Bake the Casserole
Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the shredded sharp Cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return the casserole to the oven and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is lightly browned.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove the casserole from the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This dish is best enjoyed hot and can be paired with a fresh green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Tips for Success
- Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Opt for freshly grated cheese rather than pre-shredded for a creamier melt.
- Cook Spaghetti to Al Dente: Ensure the spaghetti is cooked to al dente as it will continue to cook slightly in the oven.
- Mixing the Cheeses: Make sure the cream cheese is softened to blend smoothly with the cottage cheese and sour cream. This creates a rich, creamy layer that is essential to the dish.
- Layering Evenly: Spread each layer evenly to ensure every bite has a balanced mix of flavors and textures.
Variations
- Vegetarian Version: Substitute the ground beef with a mixture of sautéed vegetables such as mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini for a vegetarian version.
- Different Meats: Try using ground turkey or chicken as an alternative to beef for a lighter version.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture for a spicy variation.
- Additional Herbs: Sprinkle some Italian seasoning or fresh basil into the cheese mixture or beef sauce for extra flavor.
Conclusion
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a delectable and satisfying dish that brings comfort and joy to any dining table. Its layers of creamy cheese, tender pasta, and savory meat sauce make it a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a casserole that truly lives up to its “million dollar” name. Enjoy the rich, comforting flavors and share this delicious recipe with your loved ones. Happy cooking!
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Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole: A Comfort Food Classic
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a decadent and comforting baked pasta dish that combines layers of spaghetti, a rich meat sauce, creamy cheese mixture, and melted cheese. It’s like lasagna but with spaghetti, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors that make it perfect for family dinners and gatherings
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) package spaghetti
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
- 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
Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
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.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease.
Transfer to a bowl and mix in spaghetti sauce.
Place 1/2 of the butter slices into the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Spread 1/2 of the spaghetti into the dish.
Place 1/2 of the butter slices into the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Spread 1/2 of the spaghetti into the dish.
Mix cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream together in a bowl; spread mixture over spaghetti.
Cover with remaining spaghetti and top with remaining slices of butter.
Pour ground beef mixture over spaghetti and spread in an even layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Spread Cheddar cheese on top and continue baking until cheese has melted and is lightly browned, about 15 minutes more.
Enjoy
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg