ADVERTISEMENT
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Begin by boiling the spaghetti according to the package directions. You want it al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven later. Once cooked, drain and set it aside.
Prepare the meat sauce.
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it’s browned and fully cooked. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in the jar of spaghetti sauce and let it simmer for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
Mix the creamy layers.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream. Blend them until smooth, creating a rich and creamy layer that will give the casserole its "million-dollar" texture.
Assemble the casserole.
Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish generously. Layer half of the cooked spaghetti at the bottom of the dish. Spread the creamy cheese mixture over the spaghetti evenly, then top with the remaining half of the spaghetti.
Add the meat sauce.
Pour the meat sauce over the top layer of spaghetti, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Spread it evenly using a spatula.
Top with cheeses.
Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole. This will create a golden, bubbly crust when baked.
Bake it to perfection.
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. For an extra crispy top, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end, but be sure to watch it closely to prevent burning.
Let it rest.
After removing the casserole from the oven, let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the layers to settle and makes serving easier.
Tips and Conclusion
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
