Description
This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole lives up to its name with rich layers of creamy cheese, savory meat sauce, and buttery noodles baked to golden perfection. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and a guaranteed family favorite. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week!
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb ground beef
1 (24 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
8 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup sour cream
1 cup cottage cheese
½ cup (1 stick) butter, sliced
1 (16 oz) package spaghetti
1½ to 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain grease.
- Stir spaghetti sauce into the beef and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Place several slices of butter on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add half of the cooked spaghetti, spreading evenly.
- Spread the cheese mixture over the noodles into a smooth, even layer.
- Top with the remaining spaghetti and a few more slices of butter.
- Pour the meat sauce over the top, covering all the noodles.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven, top with grated cheddar cheese, and return to bake for 15 more minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Want to make it ahead? Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
- Swap out ground beef for Italian sausage or ground turkey if desired.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for an easy veggie boost.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day and reheat well.
- To freeze: Wrap the unbaked casserole in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg