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- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Spaghetti:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Cook the Meat:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Mix until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and ½ cup of Parmesan cheese.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Layer half of the cooked spaghetti over the sauce.
- Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the spaghetti.
- Add the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese layer, then cover with the remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
- Serve:
- Let the casserole sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This rest time allows it to set up a bit, making it easier to cut and serve.
Tips:
- For a lighter version, you can use ground turkey instead of beef and low-fat versions of the dairy products.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the meat sauce for added nutrition and flavor.
- This dish freezes well, either before or after baking. Just be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a versatile dish that can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences. Whether you stick to the recipe or add your own twist, it’s sure to become a favorite!
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