Spaghetti Recipe

Million Dollar Spaghetti: A Comfort Food Classic

When it comes to hearty, comforting meals, nothing quite compares to a delicious spaghetti casserole. Enter the Million Dollar Spaghetti a dish that combines the best of pasta, cheese, and flavorful sauce to create a tantalizing experience that dazzles the taste buds. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy dinners at home, this dish is bound to impress anyone who tries it.

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

The Million Dollar Spaghetti is not your average pasta recipe. It’s rich, creamy, and filled with layers of flavor that will leave your family asking for seconds. This unique dish features spaghetti baked with a delightful cheese sauce and a savory meat sauce, bound together to create a creamy, flavorful casserole. Whether you’re looking to feed a crowd or simply want a comforting meal for yourself, this recipe is the solution.

Ingredients

To create this mouthwatering Million Dollar Spaghetti, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious Million Dollar Spaghetti casserole:

1. Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent.
3. Add the Tomatoes: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let this mixture simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
4. Mix the Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, and one cup of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well until creamy and uniform.
5. Layer the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the cooked spaghetti first. Then, spread half of the meat sauce over the spaghetti.
6. Add Cheese Mixture: Next, carefully spread the cheese mixture over the meat sauce, ensuring even coverage.
7. Second Layer of Spaghetti: Layer the remaining spaghetti over the cheese mixture. Pour the rest of the meat sauce on top of the spaghetti.
8. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
9. Bake the Casserole: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve warm.

Tips for the Best Million Dollar Spaghetti

• Make Ahead: This casserole can be made ahead of time! Assemble the dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s coming straight from the refrigerator.
• Ingredient Substitutions: Feel free to swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a healthier version. You can also use gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Cheese Variations: If you want to add depth, consider swapping mozzarella for provolone or adding ricotta cheese to the filling mixture.
• Vegetarian Option: You can easily convert this recipe into a vegetarian dish by omitting the meat and adding more vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
• Freezing Instructions: This casserole freezes well! After baking, let it cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to three months. Reheat in the oven when ready to serve.

Nutritional Information

Creating delicious meals doesn’t have to mean sacrificing nutrition. This Million Dollar Spaghetti provides a balance of carbohydrates from the pasta, protein from the meat and cheese, and vitamins from the tomatoes and onions.

Conclusion

With its rich flavors and creamy texture, Million Dollar Spaghetti is sure to become a family favorite. It’s a crowd-pleaser that offers the perfect combination of meat, cheese, and sauce, all layered beautifully for a satisfying meal. Make this delightful casserole for your next gathering or enjoy it as a comforting dinner at home.

Now it’s time to gather your ingredients and get started on this delicious recipe. It’s time to experience the magic of Million Dollar Spaghetti in your kitchen!

Million Dollar Spaghetti

A comforting spaghetti casserole layered with meat sauce and creamy cheese, perfect for family gatherings and cozy dinners.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Comfort Food, Italian

Calories: 500

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 can
• 15 ounces tomato sauce 1 can
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Method

 

Preparation

1. Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the meat sauce: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent.
3. Add the tomatoes: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let this mixture simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
4. Mix the cheese filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, and one cup of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well until creamy and uniform.

Assembly and Baking

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the cooked spaghetti first. Then, spread half of the meat sauce over the spaghetti.
2. Next, carefully spread the cheese mixture over the meat sauce, ensuring even coverage.
3. Layer the remaining spaghetti over the cheese mixture. Pour the rest of the meat sauce on top of the spaghetti.
4. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
5. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Allow the casserole to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve warm.

Notes

Make Ahead: This casserole can be made ahead of time! Assemble the dish and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add extra minutes to baking time if it's coming straight from the fridge. Ingredient substitutions include ground turkey or chicken, gluten-free pasta, or using ricotta cheese. A vegetarian version can be made by omitting meat and adding more vegetables. Casserole freezes well for up to three months.