Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a delicious, cheesy, and hearty dish that combines the best elements of spaghetti and lasagna into one easy-to-make casserole. With layers of spaghetti, creamy cheese, and savory meat sauce, this casserole is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep. It’s sure to become a favorite in your household!

Preparation Time:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Intensity:

• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 24 ounces marinara sauce (your favorite brand)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Meat Sauce

3. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef (or Italian sausage) and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat if necessary.
4. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent.
5. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Mix the Cheese Filling

6. In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix until well combined. This will be the creamy cheese layer in the casserole.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

7. In a large baking dish (9×13 inches), spread half of the cooked spaghetti on the bottom.
8. Layer half of the meat sauce over the spaghetti, followed by half of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, and cheese mixture.
9. Top the casserole with the remaining mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 5: Bake the Casserole

10. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
11. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 6: Serve

12. Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes. This will help the layers set for easier serving.
13. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy with a side salad or garlic bread!

Nutrition Information (per serving, based on 8 servings):

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 4g
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Cholesterol: 70mg
• Sodium: 800mg

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or for meal prep throughout the week. With its cheesy goodness and hearty flavors, this casserole is sure to become a staple in your home. Enjoy every delicious bite!