Cheesy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Here’s a delicious and indulgent Cheesy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole recipe — creamy, cheesy, and comforting, perfect for a family dinner or potluck!

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🧀 Cheesy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

🕒 Prep Time: 20 mins | 🍽️ Serves: 8 | 🔥 Cook Time: 45 mins

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Pasta Layer:

• 1 lb spaghetti

• Salt (for pasta water)

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)

• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or spaghetti sauce

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt & pepper to taste

For the Creamy Layer:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup cottage cheese (or ricotta)

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)

Cheese Topping:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional)

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🧑‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the Spaghetti:

• Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente.

• Drain and set aside (you can toss with a little butter or oil to prevent sticking).

2. Prepare the Meat Sauce:

• In a skillet, sauté onion in a bit of oil until translucent.

• Add garlic, cook 1 more minute.

• Add ground beef; cook until browned. Drain excess fat.

• Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Let simmer 5–10 minutes.

3. Make the Creamy Cheese Mixture:

• In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, and garlic powder until smooth.

4. Assemble the Casserole:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

• Layer as follows:

  1. Half the cooked spaghetti

  2. Spread all the creamy cheese mixture

  3. Top with remaining spaghetti

  4. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the top

  5. Sprinkle with mozzarella and extra Parmesan if desired

5. Bake:

• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

• Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

6. Cool & Serve:

• Let sit 5–10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley if desired.

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🔁 Make-Ahead & Freezing Tips

• Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

• Freezing: Wrap unbaked casserole in foil and freeze. Thaw overnight in fridge and bake as directed (add 10–15 mins if still cold).