MILLION DOLLAR SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE
The Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is an opulent take on the typical spaghetti dish that combines the rich, creamy textures of a casserole with the heartiness of a regular noodle dinner. Imagine a recipe where the spaghetti serves as a vehicle for a symphony of flavors and sensations instead of just as a plain source of carbohydrates. The heartiness appears in the next layer. Simmered to perfection, a hearty meat sauce, usually made with ground beef or a blend of beef and Italian sausage, is prepared. A handmade sauce composed of crushed tomatoes, garlic, onions, and a combination of Italian herbs including parsley, basil, and oregano gives the spaghetti a rich taste that permeates every bite.
Perfectly cooked till golden, the Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole exudes a delightful aroma upon removal from the oven, showcasing a well-balanced combination of cheese, tomato, and herbs. The layers merge together, yet each retains its individual character, creating a symphony of flavors and textures with each forkful. The meal is at once opulent and cozy, with the creamy cheese layer contrasting the meaty, herb-infused sauce and the spaghetti offering a comforting, domestic texture.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Spaghetti noodles
- 1 Jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 lb. Ground beef
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz. Cream cheese softened
- 8 oz. Cottage cheese
- ¼ C. Sour cream
- ½ C. Butter melted
- Parmesan cheese to taste.
Not Ready set oven temperature to 350 degrees. Drain well and cook the noodles to your preference. Place the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook it until it’s well browned. Remove any extra fat. Combine the ground meat and the sauce. Cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream should all be thoroughly mixed in a bowl. Line the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with butter. To the baking dish, add half of the noodles.
Cover the noodles with a layer of the cheese mixture. Top the cheese mixture with the remaining noodles arranged in a second layer. Cover the noodles with the meat and sauce combination. Before serving, bake for a further 15 minutes after adding Parmesan cheese to taste after 30 minutes of baking.