The Best Million Dollar Spaghetti

The best million dollar spaghetti is surely this one—a cheesy, meaty, marinara-sauced layered spaghetti casserole fit for a hungry crowd.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground sirloin
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage
• 32 ounces marinara sauce, divided
• 16 ounces spaghetti
• 5 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, 1 teaspoon salt, and garlic; cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add ground beef and sausage and cook, crumbling with a spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 cups marinara sauce; bring to a simmer.  Reduce heat to low and simmer while pasta cooks.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a large casserole dish.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just tender with a bite, about 7 minutes. Drain; return spaghetti to the pot. Stir in 3 1/2 tablespoons butter and remaining marinara sauce. 
4. Combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, remaining salt, pepper, and 1 cup mozzarella in a medium bowl and stir until well incorporated.
5. Add half of pasta to the casserole dish. Spread cheese mixture evenly over pasta. Add remaining pasta; cut remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter into thin slices, and arrange over pasta. Top with meat sauce mixture, remaining 2 cups mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese. Place casserole dish on a rimmed baking sheet.
6. Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and browned and pasta is bubbling around the edges, 40 to 50 minutes. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

Recipes by  Nicole McLaughlin

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