Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
Spaghetti casserole is a delightful and comforting dish that combines the flavors of spaghetti, savory meat, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese. This hearty casserole is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re looking to serve a crowd. In this article, we will explore a delicious spaghetti casserole recipe that is sure to become a family favorite.
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Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe Ingredients
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Spaghetti noodles | 8 ounces |
| Ground beef | 1 pound |
| Onion (chopped) | 1 medium |
| Garlic (minced) | 2 cloves |
| Cream cheese (softened) | 8 ounces |
| Sour cream | 1/2 cup |
| Cottage cheese | 1/2 cup |
| Unsalted butter | 1/4 cup |
| Tomato sauce | 1 can (15 ounces) |
| Crushed tomatoes | 1 can (15 ounces) |
| Italian seasoning | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
| Shredded mozzarella cheese | 2 cups |
| Grated Parmesan cheese | 1/2 cup |
| Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish) | Optional |
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s proceed to make this delicious Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole!
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Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Drain the cooked noodles and set them aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until the onions become translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add Tomato Sauce and Crushed Tomatoes: Stir in the tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes, combining them with the cooked ground beef. Season the mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and unsalted butter until well combined.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread half of the cooked spaghetti noodles in an even layer at the bottom of the greased baking dish. Next, spread the cream cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Add Meat Sauce: Pour the meat sauce over the cream cheese layer, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
- Add More Spaghetti: Layer the remaining spaghetti noodles over the meat sauce.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese on top of the casserole, covering it completely.
- Bake in the Oven: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the casserole is out of the oven, garnish it with chopped fresh parsley for added freshness and flavor.
