Introduction
Oh, the comfort! There’s something so incredibly cozy and satisfying about a bubbling, cheesy spaghetti casserole. This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole isn’t just a meal; it’s a hug in a dish. You know those recipes that instantly transport you back to childhood dinners, filled with laughter and happy sighs? This is one of those. It’s incredibly easy to whip up, making it perfect for busy weeknights, and so delicious, it’s guaranteed to disappear in minutes. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this absolute winner!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: While it bakes for a bit, the prep is surprisingly quick.
- Easy: Seriously, even if you’re new to the kitchen, you can nail this!
- Giftable: Imagine bringing this to a potluck or a friend who needs a little cheering up – it’s always a hit!
- Crowd-pleasing: From picky eaters to seasoned foodies, everyone adores this dish.
Ingredients
Alright, let’s gather our goodies. Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece:
- 16 ounces spaghetti: The backbone of our casserole.
- 1 pound ground beef: For that hearty, savory flavor.
- 1 pound sausage: I love using Italian sausage (mild or hot, your choice!) for an extra kick.
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced: Because garlic makes everything better, right?
- 1 medium onion, diced (or ½ cup): Adds a lovely sweetness and depth.
- 2 (24-ounce) jars spaghetti sauce: Your favorite jarred sauce will work perfectly here.
- 1 cup cottage cheese: This is the secret to the creamy layer! Don’t skip it.
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened: For ultimate creaminess and richness. Make sure it’s nice and soft!
- ¼ cup sour cream: Adds a delightful tang to balance the richness.
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided: Because we all need cheese, and then some more cheese.
- 8 tablespoons butter, cut in half (4 tablespoons in each half), each 4 tablespoons cut into slices: This sounds fancy, but it’s just butter slices to go on top – pure deliciousness.
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional): A little pop of green for a beautiful finish.
How to Make It
Ready to create some magic? Let’s get cooking!
- Preheat your oven: Get it nice and toasty at 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the spaghetti: Follow the package directions for your spaghetti. Once it’s al dente, drain it well and set it aside.
- Brown the meats: In a big skillet over medium-high heat, cook your ground beef and sausage until they’re nicely browned. Drain off any extra grease – we want flavor, not fat!
- Sauté the aromatics: Toss in your minced garlic and diced onion. Cook them with the meat until the onion is soft and fragrant, which usually takes about 5 minutes.
- Sauce it up: Pour in those jars of spaghetti sauce. Give it a good stir, bring it to a gentle simmer, and let it cook for about 5 minutes. This lets all those flavors meld together beautifully.
- Whip up the creamy goodness: In a separate medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, and sour cream. Mix it all up until it’s super smooth and creamy. This is going to be your luscious middle layer.
- Start layering: Grab your 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread half of your cooked spaghetti evenly across the bottom.
- Add the cream cheese layer: Gently spread that creamy, dreamy mixture you just made over the spaghetti.
- Sauce it on: Spoon half of your delicious meat sauce over the cream cheese layer.
- Cheese, please! Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce. Oh yes!
- More spaghetti! Layer the rest of your cooked spaghetti on top of the mozzarella.
- Final sauce layer: Pour the remaining meat sauce over the second layer of spaghetti.
- Butter magic: Distribute those butter slices evenly all over the top of the casserole. Trust me on this!
- Top with more cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese over the butter. This is what makes it truly “million dollar”!
- Cover and bake: Tightly cover your baking dish with aluminum foil. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.
- Uncover and bake more: Carefully remove the foil. Now, let it bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until that glorious cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Let it rest: This is important! Let the casserole stand for about 10 minutes before you slice and serve it. It helps everything set up beautifully.
- Garnish (optional): If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some chopped parsley over the top.
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a great canvas for your own creativity! Here are a few ideas:
- Veggies: Feel free to add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini to the meat sauce for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Cheese: Want to mix it up? Try adding some Parmesan or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning to the cheese blend.
- Spice: If you love a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce or use a spicy Italian sausage.
- No cottage cheese? Some folks have had success using ricotta cheese instead, though the texture will be slightly different.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks to make your Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole absolutely perfect:
- Soften your cream cheese: Leaving it out on the counter for about an hour will make it much easier to mix into a smooth consistency.
- Don’t overcook the spaghetti: Since it will bake in the oven, cook it just shy of al dente.
- Drain the grease well: This prevents the casserole from becoming greasy and keeps the flavors clean.
- Prep ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole up to the point of baking a day in advance. Cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s going in cold.
How to Store It
Leftovers are the best! Store any remaining Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or a low oven until warmed through. It’s also delicious cold, straight from the fridge if you’re really craving it!
FAQs
- Can I freeze this casserole?
- Yes, you can! Assemble the casserole as directed (without baking), cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed, possibly adding a little extra time.
- What kind of sausage should I use?
- Italian sausage (mild or hot) is my go-to for its wonderful seasoning, but you can also use plain pork sausage if you prefer. Just be sure to season it well if it’s unseasoned.
- Can I make this meatless?
- Absolutely! You can omit the meat and use an extra jar of marinara sauce, or add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers for a delicious vegetarian version.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
A comforting and cheesy spaghetti casserole that's easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Equipment
- Skillet
- Medium bowl
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- aluminum foil
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound sausage Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium onion diced (or ½ cup)
- 2 24-ounce jars spaghetti sauce your favorite jarred sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 0.25 cup sour cream
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 8 tablespoons butter cut in half (4 tablespoons in each half), each 4 tablespoons cut into slices
- chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.16 ounces spaghetti
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and sausage until browned. Drain off excess grease.16 ounces spaghetti
- Add minced garlic and diced onion to the skillet with the meat. Cook until onion is soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.16 ounces spaghetti
- Pour in the spaghetti sauce, stir, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 5 minutes.16 ounces spaghetti
- In a separate bowl, combine cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth and creamy.16 ounces spaghetti
- Spread half of the cooked spaghetti in a 9x13 inch baking dish.16 ounces spaghetti
- Spread the cottage cheese mixture over the spaghetti.16 ounces spaghetti
- Spoon half of the meat sauce over the cottage cheese layer.
- Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce.16 ounces spaghetti
- Layer the remaining cooked spaghetti on top.16 ounces spaghetti
- Pour the remaining meat sauce over the second layer of spaghetti.
- Distribute butter slices evenly over the top.16 ounces spaghetti
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese over the butter.16 ounces spaghetti
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.16 ounces spaghetti
Notes
This recipe can be assembled a day in advance and refrigerated before baking. If baking from cold, add a few extra minutes to the baking time.