Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole – Its Mama Cookie

Indulge in Luxury: Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Prepare to elevate your dinner table with the exquisite flavors of Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole, a sumptuous medley of tender spaghetti, decadent cheese, and a luscious meat sauce. This budget-friendly masterpiece offers a symphony of tastes and textures, promising to satisfy both the palate and the soul, making it the ideal centerpiece for any family gathering.

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ounce) package spaghetti
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• ½ cup butter, sliced (divided)
• 1 (8 ounce) container cottage cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Instructions:

Preparation: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), setting the stage for culinary excellence.

Cook Spaghetti: In a generously salted pot of boiling water, cook the spaghetti until it reaches al dente perfection, approximately 12 minutes. Once cooked to perfection, drain the water and set the spaghetti aside, ready to be transformed into a gourmet delight.

Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the lean ground beef until it boasts a delectable brown hue, ensuring to break it apart as it cooks for optimal flavor. This process should take around 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess grease, then transfer the beef to a bowl. Mix in the spaghetti sauce, marrying the robust flavors for a tantalizing meat sauce that will elevate every bite.

Layer the Casserole:

• Begin by adorning the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish with half of the sliced butter, setting the foundation for indulgence.
• Next, layer half of the cooked spaghetti over the butter, creating a luxurious bed for the ensuing flavors.
• In a separate bowl, combine the cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, and tangy sour cream, blending until smooth and velvety. Spread this creamy concoction over the layer of spaghetti, infusing each bite with a rich and creamy texture.
• Follow with the remaining spaghetti, crafting a tantalizing tower of layers that promises culinary delight.
• Crown the casserole with the remaining slices of butter, ensuring a decadent finish that will melt in your mouth with every bite.
• Pour the beef and sauce mixture evenly over the spaghetti layers, ensuring each strand is enveloped in savory goodness.

Bake: Transfer the assembled masterpiece to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and mingle into a harmonious symphony of taste and aroma. Once baked to perfection, sprinkle the shredded sharp Cheddar cheese over the top and return the casserole to the oven for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is gloriously melted and tinged with golden brown.

Serve hot and revel in the exquisite flavors of this Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole, a culinary triumph that will enchant your taste buds and leave your guests clamoring for more. Enjoy the luxury of a gourmet meal, crafted with love and served straight from the heart of your kitchen.