Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole: A Comfort Food Delight

Directions

Cooking the Spaghetti:

1. Boil the Spaghetti: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Preparing the Meat Sauce:

1. Cook the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef or sausage. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
2. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Add Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes while you prepare the cheese mixture.

Preparing the Cheese Mixture:

1. Combine Cheeses: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Mix until well blended.

Assembling the Casserole:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Layer Ingredients: In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the cooked spaghetti. Layer half of the meat sauce on top, followed by half of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, and cheese mixture.
3. Top with Mozzarella and Parmesan: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.

Baking the Casserole:

1. Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
2. Uncover and Brown: After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Serving:

1. Garnish and Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips and Shortcuts

• Make Ahead: This casserole can be assembled a day in advance. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
• Customizations: Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers or mushrooms, to the meat sauce for added flavor and nutrition.
• Cheese Variations: Experiment with different types of cheese, like provolone or fontina, for a unique twist.

Recipe Variations

• Vegetarian Version: Substitute the ground beef or sausage with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat alternative. Add chopped spinach or zucchini for extra nutrition.
• Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for some heat or use spicy Italian sausage.
• Ranch Style: Mix in a packet of ranch seasoning to the cream cheese mixture for an extra layer of flavor.