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Million Dollar Spaghetti on a white plate, topped with melted cheddar cheese and meat sauce.

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Smiling woman with glasses and dark hair, professional portrait for Baked Bree website.Diane Goodman
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 259 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 16 ounce package spaghetti
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 24 ounce jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter divided into 8 slices
  • 1 16 ounce container cottage cheese
  • 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • Salt for pasta water
  • Cooking spray for the casserole dish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
    Empty white baking dish with remnants of butter or oil, ready for baking.
  • Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente (the pasta will continue to cook in the oven so best to keep it slightly firm), usually about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
    Golden cooked spaghetti noodles in a metal strainer, ready for a delicious pasta dish.
  • While the spaghetti is cooking, place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it's no longer pink (about 5 to 7 minutes). You can break it apart with a spatula as it cooks and drain any excess grease for a healthier dish.
    Sautéed ground beef in a black skillet, cooking on a light blue textured surface.
  • Turn off the heat and stir in the spaghetti sauce with the cooked beef. Mix well to ensure the meat is thoroughly coated with the sauce. Set aside.
    Savory ground beef with tomato sauce in a skillet.
  • In a medium bowl, blend together the cottage cheese, cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.
    Blending cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream for Million Dollar Spaghetti.
  • Place half of the butter slices on the bottom of the baking dish. Add half of the cooked spaghetti, creating an even layer. Spread the cheese mixture over the spaghetti. Then, layer the remaining spaghetti on top and dot with the remaining butter slices.
    Spreading the cheese mixture over a layer of spaghetti in a baking dish for Million Dollar Spaghetti.
  • Pour the meat sauce over the top spaghetti layer and spread it out evenly.
    Savory beef and tomato spaghetti casserole in a white baking dish.
  • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, remove the foil, sprinkle the Cheddar cheese evenly over the top, and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 15 minutes. The cheese should be melted with a light golden crust.
    Million Dollar Spaghetti casserole assembled in a white baking dish, topped with shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Let the casserole rest for about 15 minutes before slicing. You need to allow the layers to set to serve neat portions. Cut into squares and serve warm.
    Million Dollar Spaghetti casserole with ground beef and melted cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 19gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gSodium: 227mgFiber: 0.01g
Keyword Million Dollar Spaghetti
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