Description
Savory layers of million-dollar spaghetti promise comfort and indulgence in one hearty casserole. Creamy cheese and rich meat sauce merge into a crowd-pleasing dish that satisfies deep hunger and delights dinner companions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) spaghetti noodles
- ½ pound (226 grams) ground beef
- ½ pound (226 grams) Italian sausage
- 24 ounces (680 grams) marinara sauce
Cheese Components:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ⅔ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese (or ricotta)
- ¼ cup sour cream
Complementary Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons butter, sliced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a pot of generously salted water and cook spaghetti until perfectly tender, ensuring a slight resistance when bitten. Drain thoroughly and set pasta aside.
- In a robust skillet, brown ground beef and sausage completely, eliminating excess fat. Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until aromatic and translucent. Blend in marinara sauce, reserving a portion for later garnishing. Allow the mixture to simmer and develop rich flavors.
- Create a luxurious cheese blend by whisking cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until uniformly smooth and creamy.
- Warm the oven to 350F. Strategically layer butter slices across the bottom of a prepared baking dish. Distribute half the cooked spaghetti as the initial foundation. Generously spread the velvety cheese mixture across the pasta layer. Top with remaining noodles and additional butter slices.
- Cascade the robust meat sauce evenly over the constructed layers. Drizzle reserved marinara for enhanced moisture and flavor. Liberally sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses across the surface.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, baking uncovered approximately 30-40 minutes until bubbling and golden. If cheese browns too rapidly, loosely tent with aluminum foil.
- Allow the casserole to rest and settle for 10-15 minutes before serving, ensuring clean and structured portions when plated.
Notes
- Elevate pasta texture by cooking spaghetti just until al dente, ensuring a perfect firm bite without becoming mushy.
- Control meat sauce’s richness by using lean ground beef or mixing with turkey for a lighter version.
- Create a smoother cheese layer by letting cream cheese soften at room temperature before mixing with other cheeses.
- Prevent soggy bottom by patting noodles dry and using butter slices to create a crispy, golden base.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg