Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a delicious and hearty dish that combines pasta, rich meat sauce, and a creamy cheese layer. Here’s a recipe to prepare this tasty casserole:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) spaghetti
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage (you can also use a combination of both)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24-ounce) jar of your favorite pasta sauce (or homemade marinara sauce)
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
• Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the spaghetti and set it aside.
• In a large skillet or frying pan, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
• Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the cooked meat, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and soft.
• Pour the pasta sauce over the meat mixture, stirring well to combine. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
• In a separate bowl, mix the cottage cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until well combined.
• Now it’s time to layer the casserole: Spread half of the cooked spaghetti evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
• Drizzle half of the melted butter over the spaghetti to prevent it from drying out.

• Spread the cottage cheese mixture over the spaghetti layer, using a spatula to distribute it evenly.
• Add the remaining half of the spaghetti on top of the cheese layer, followed by the rest of the melted butter.
• Pour the meat sauce over the second layer of spaghetti, spreading it out to cover the entire surface.
• Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce layer, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.
• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, ensuring it’s tented slightly to prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil.
• Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes.
• Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
• Once the casserole is done baking, let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
• Optionally, garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is sure to be a hit at any gathering or family meal.

Enjoy!