Baked Million Dollar Spaghetti

Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 175°C (350°F).
2. Cook Spaghetti: Boil noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until smooth.
4. Cook Beef: In a frying pan, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat and stir in the spaghetti sauce.
5. Layer the Casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, place a few slices of butter on the bottom. Layer half of the cooked spaghetti over the butter.
6. Add Cheese Layer: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
7. Top with Remaining Noodles: Add the remaining spaghetti noodles and top with additional slices of butter.
8. Add Beef Sauce: Pour the beef and spaghetti sauce mixture evenly over the top.
9. Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
10. Add Cheesy Finish: Remove foil, sprinkle grated cheddar cheese on top, and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6–8
Difficulty: Easy

Variations & Substitutions

• Vegetables: Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for added nutrition and flavor.
• Cheese Options: Swap cheddar for mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or parmesan for a different cheesy profile.
• Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a hint of heat.
• Meat Alternatives: Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for a lighter version.

Serving Suggestions