Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook beef: In a skillet, brown ground beef. Drain excess grease.
Sauté onion & garlic until fragrant, then stir into beef.
Add tomato sauce + crushed tomatoes. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
Cream cheese mixture: In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and butter until smooth.
Layer casserole:
- Half of the spaghetti noodles
- Entire cream cheese mixture
- Meat sauce
- Remaining spaghetti
Top with cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over top.
Bake: Cover with foil, bake 25 minutes. Remove foil, bake 10 more minutes until bubbly and golden.
Serve: Garnish with parsley. Slice and enjoy!

Tips for Success

Cook pasta just al dente so it doesn’t get mushy in the oven.
Let the casserole rest 10 minutes before serving for clean slices.
Use a mix of beef and Italian sausage for extra flavor.
Double the recipe and freeze one for a future meal!

Storage & Make-Ahead

Refrigerate: Store leftovers covered up to 4 days.
Freeze: Wrap tightly in foil and freeze up to 2 months.
Reheat: Bake at 350°F until hot, or microwave individual portions.

What to Serve with Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

A crisp green salad with Italian dressing
Warm garlic breadsticks
Steamed green beans or broccoli
A glass of red wine (if you’re feeling fancy!)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes! It will be a bit lighter but still delicious.

Can I skip the cottage cheese?
You can replace it with ricotta cheese for a lasagna-like taste.

Can this be made ahead?
Absolutely — assemble the casserole, cover, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then bake when ready.

Nutritional Information (per serving, approx. 8 servings)

Calories: 480
Protein: 26g
Fat: 24g
Carbs: 38g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 7g

Final Thoughts

This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is the ultimate comfort food — creamy, saucy, and loaded with cheese. It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone running to the table and leaves nothing but empty plates behind.