Description
A rich, cheesy baked spaghetti dish with layers of creamy ricotta filling, hearty meat sauce, and melty mozzarella.
Ingredients
1 lb spaghetti
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
- Cook the spaghetti: Boil it according to package instructions, but undercook it by 1-2 minutes so it’s al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the meat sauce: Cook the ground beef in a large pan over medium heat. Drain excess fat, then add the minced garlic. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Mix the creamy cheese filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, ricotta, sour cream, and half of the parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth.
- Assemble the spaghetti layers: Spread half of the cooked spaghetti in the prepared baking dish. Top with the entire cheese mixture, spreading it evenly. Add the remaining spaghetti on top.
- Add the meat sauce: Pour the sauce over the spaghetti and spread it to cover evenly.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Before serving, allow the dish to rest for ten minutes.
- Garnish: Optionally, sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Million Dollar Spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food, combining the best of baked pasta with rich, creamy layers of cheese and savory meat sauce. The “million dollar” name comes from its indulgent flavors and luxurious texture, making it feel like a special treat without breaking the bank. One of the secrets to this dish is the balance between the creamy cheese filling and the hearty marinara. Be sure to undercook the spaghetti slightly to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking. It’s a versatile recipe, perfect for feeding a crowd or prepping ahead for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
