Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is made with spaghetti noodles, hearty ground beef marinara sauce, and a creamy cheese filling, all topped with plenty of melted mozzarella. It is an easy comfort food dinner: a rich and cheesy baked pasta casserole for busy weeknights and Sunday family dinners.
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It also works wonderfully for potlucks, family gatherings, and make-ahead dinners because you can assemble it ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready.
And for more Casserole recipes, the recipes below are worth trying:
- Amish Country Casserole
- BBQ Ranch Chicken Pasta Bake Casserole
- Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole
- One Pot Cajun Chicken Sausage and Rice Casserole
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 lb spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt1 tsp pepper
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tbsp butter, sliced
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess grease.
Step 2: Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, 1/2 cup mozzarella, and Parmesan until well combined.
Step 4: Place the butter slices across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 5: Add half of the cooked spaghetti, then spread the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the noodles
Step 6: Add the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese layer. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the spaghetti and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.
Step 7: Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted.
Step 8: Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving. This gives the layers a little time to set and makes it easier to serve.
Important Recipe Notes
- Cook the spaghetti just until al dente. It will continue cooking in the oven, so avoid overcooking the noodles.
- Soften the cream cheese first. This helps the creamy cheese mixture blend together smoothly without lumps.
- Drain the ground beef well. Removing excess grease keeps the casserole from becoming too oily.
- Let the casserole rest before serving. Give it 5–10 minutes after baking so the layers can set and the casserole is easier to slice.
- Make it ahead: Assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate until ready to bake. If baking straight from the refrigerator, it may need a little extra time in the oven.
- Easy substitutions: Ricotta can be used in place of cottage cheese, and Italian sausage can replace some or all of the ground beef for extra flavor.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 days.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tbsp butter sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, 1/2 cup mozzarella, and Parmesan until well combined.
- Place the butter slices across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add half of the cooked spaghetti, then spread the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
- Add the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese layer. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the spaghetti and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted.
- Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving. This gives the layers a little time to set and makes it easier to serve.
