Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti offers a blend of cottage cheese, cream cheese, and marinara, creating a rich and comforting dish that’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Its simple preparation makes it a go-to for those looking for a delicious homemade meal without the fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz. full-fat cottage cheese
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 3 oz. grated parmesan cheese, ~1 cup
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb. 85% ground beef
- ½ large white onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 48 oz. marinara sauce, divided
- 16 oz. spaghetti noodles
- 4 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese, ~1 cup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, and salt until well combined.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add olive oil to the pan, followed by the ground beef. Cook for 4-5 minutes until browned.
- Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes. Add the Italian seasoning and cook for another minute before removing from heat.
- Incorporate 24 oz. of marinara sauce into the meat mixture and let it simmer. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- In a large pot, boil salted water and cook the spaghetti until just under al dente, usually 1-2 minutes less than directed. Drain and return it to the pot, then add the remaining marinara and stir well.
- To assemble, place half the noodle mixture into the baking dish, then layer with half of the cottage cheese mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles and cottage cheese mixture, finishing with the ground beef on top. Bake for 20 minutes uncovered.
- After 20 minutes, top the dish with mozzarella cheese and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- Let the Million Dollar Spaghetti rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Feel free to customize the meat with turkey or chicken if desired.
You can substitute low-fat cottage cheese for a lighter version. A sprinkle of fresh herbs can enhance the flavor before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 100mg