Baked Spaghetti Casserole - Millionaire Spaghetti - Delicious & Affordable - The Hillbilly Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground Beef (lean ground round, drain excess fat after browning)
• 1 pound Spaghetti (any shape, broken in half for easier handling)
• 1 tablespoon Salt (for pasta water and seasoning meat)
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1 jar (24 oz) Marinara Sauce (store‑bought or homemade)
• 8 ounces Shredded Mozzarella Blend Cheese (for topping, shredded)
• 1 cup Cottage Cheese
• 1/4 cup Sour Cream
• 1/2 stick Butter (unsalted, cut into cubes)
• 8 ounces Cream Cheese (softened, cut into cubes)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven

   Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat while you prepare the casserole.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 350°F

2. Brown the Ground Beef

   Heat a large skillet over medium‑high heat. Add the ground beef, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Break it up and cook until fully browned, about 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

   Time: PT7M

3. Add Marinara Sauce

   Pour the entire jar of marinara sauce into the skillet with the browned meat. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

   Time: PT5M

4. Cook the Pasta

   Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add a generous pinch of salt, then add the broken spaghetti. Cook for 8 minutes, or until al dente, stirring once or twice.

   Time: PT10M

5. Drain the Pasta

   Drain the spaghetti in a colander and return it to the pot.

   Time: PT2M

6. Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce

   To the pot with the hot pasta add the butter, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream. Stir constantly over low heat until everything is melted and the mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes.

   Time: PT5M

7. Assemble the Casserole Base

   Spread the cheesy pasta mixture evenly in the greased 9x13‑inch baking dish.

   Time: PT3M

8. Add the Meat Sauce Layer

   Spoon the meat‑and‑marinara sauce over the pasta layer, spreading it to cover the entire surface.

   Time: PT2M

9. Top with Shredded Cheese

   Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella blend over the top of the casserole.

   Time: PT1M

10. Bake Until Bubbly and Golden

    Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.

    Time: PT35M

    Temperature: 350°F

11. Rest and Serve

    Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

628

Protein

23g

Carbohydrates

26g

Fat

28g

Fiber

1g