Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Meat Sauce
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef (or Italian sausage) and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Mix the Cheese Filling
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix until well combined. This will be the creamy cheese layer in the casserole.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
- In a large baking dish (9×13 inches), spread half of the cooked spaghetti on the bottom.
- Layer half of the meat sauce over the spaghetti, followed by half of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, and cheese mixture.
- Top the casserole with the remaining mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Bake the Casserole
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Step 6: Serve
- Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes. This will help the layers set for easier serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy with a side salad or garlic bread!
Nutrition Information (per serving, based on 8 servings):
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 4g
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 800mg
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or for meal prep throughout the week. With its cheesy goodness and hearty flavors, this casserole is sure to become a staple in your home. Enjoy every delicious bite!
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