Try My Baked Spaghetti (Million Dollar Spaghetti)

Ingredients

• 0.25 whole White Onion (diced)
• 0.25 whole Bell Pepper (any color, diced)
• 2 whole Green Onion (one for sauté, one for cheese sauce and garnish, chopped)
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 pound Ground Beef (lean (80/20) or your preference)
• 1 pound Mild Italian Sausage (remove casing, crumble)
• 36 ounces Garlic & Herb Pasta Sauce (high‑quality brand; can use any good tomato‑herb sauce)
• to taste Sugar (balances acidity, optional)
• to taste Salt
• to taste Black Pepper
• 1 pound Spaghetti (break into halves if needed to fit pan)
• 8 ounces Sour Cream (full‑fat for richness)
• 5 ounces Cottage Cheese
• 4 ounces Cream Cheese (room temperature, softened)
• 2 ounces Parmesan Cheese (grated, for bottom layer)
• 16 ounces Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
• 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Dice the vegetables

   Dice 1/4 white onion, 1/4 bell pepper, and chop 1 green onion. Mince 4 garlic cloves.

   Time: PT5M

2. Brown the ground beef

   Heat the large skillet over high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon until fully browned. Drain excess fat.

   Time: PT8M

3. Cook the Italian sausage

   Reduce heat to medium, add the crumbled mild Italian sausage to the skillet and cook until mostly done, about 5 minutes.

   Time: PT5M

4. Sauté onions and bell pepper

   Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.

   Time: PT5M

5. Add garlic

   Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

   Time: PT2M

6. Simmer the meat sauce

   Pour in 36 oz of garlic‑herb pasta sauce, season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar if needed. Reduce heat to low and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30–45 minutes.

   Time: PT35M

7. Cook the spaghetti

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 lb spaghetti and cook al dente, 8–10 minutes. Drain in a colander.

   Time: PT10M

8. Prepare the cheese sauce

   In a mixing bowl combine 8 oz sour cream, 5 oz cottage cheese, 4 oz softened cream cheese, the remaining chopped green onion, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until smooth.

   Time: PT5M

9. Preheat the oven

   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 375°F

10. Layer the bottom sauce

    Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Sprinkle a little grated Parmesan over it.

    Time: PT2M

11. Add the spaghetti

    Evenly distribute the cooked spaghetti over the sauce in a single layer.

    Time: PT2M

12. Spread the cheese sauce

    Drop spoonfuls of the cheese sauce over the spaghetti and gently spread it to cover the noodles.

    Time: PT2M

13. Top with remaining meat sauce

    Spoon the rest of the meat sauce over the cheese layer, spreading gently.

    Time: PT2M

14. Add mozzarella and parsley

    Evenly sprinkle 16 oz shredded mozzarella over the top and dust with dried parsley.

    Time: PT2M

15. Bake the casserole

    Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30–45 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.

    Time: PT40M

    Temperature: 375°F

16. Add fresh green onion garnish (optional)

    During the last 15 minutes of baking, scatter the reserved chopped green onion over the top.

    Time: PT5M

17. Rest before serving

    Remove from oven and let the baked spaghetti rest 10–15 minutes so the layers set.

    Time: PT10M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

1000

Protein

45 g

Carbohydrates

80 g

Fat

55 g

Fiber

4 g