Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 30 mins | Servings: 8
Ingredients
- The Pasta: 16 oz spaghetti noodles.
- The Meat Sauce: * 1 lb ground beef.
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or spaghetti sauce.
- The “Million Dollar” Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened.
- 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta.
- 1/4 cup sour cream.
- The Cheesy Finish: 2–3 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend.
- The Seasoning: 1 tsp Italian seasoning and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
Instructions
- Boil: Cook the spaghetti noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain the grease and stir in the spaghetti sauce and seasonings.
- Creamy Base: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, cottage cheese (or ricotta), and sour cream until smooth.
- Layer:
- Spread half of the cooked spaghetti in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Spread the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
- Top with the remaining spaghetti.
- Sauce & Cheese: Pour the meat sauce over the top layer of noodles. Cover the entire dish with a thick layer of shredded cheese.
- Bake: Place in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5–10 minutes to set before slicing into large, decadent portions.