Cookin’ with Kaye

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

1 pkg. spaghetti noodles

1 onion, chopped

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

2 lbs. Italian sausage or ground pork, or ground turkey

3 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

2-24 oz. jars or cans spaghetti sauce

8 oz. cottage cheese or ricotta cheese

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

¼ cup sour cream

3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided

½ cup butter, cut into slices, divided

Olive oil 

Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Cook pasta according to package, drain, and return pasta to the pot.  Add 1 jar of spaghetti sauce and stir.  Set aside. 

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.  Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until they begin to soften, about 4-5 minutes.  Add garlic, and cook and stir 1 minute.  Add sausage and 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, stir and cook until no longer pink.  Drain well.  Add 1 jar of spaghetti sauce to the skillet.  Stir and set aside. 

In a medium bowl, combine cottage or ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.  Set aside. 

Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.  Place half the slices of butter in the baking dish.  Spread half the spaghetti in dish, then spread cheese mixture evenly over spaghetti.  Spread remaining spaghetti over cheese mixture.  Top with remaining butter slices.  Pour tomato meat sauce evenly over top layer of spaghetti.  Top with remaining mozzarella cheese and bake in preheated oven until casserole is heated through, about 35-45 minutes.  Remove from oven, and let rest 10 minutes.  Slice and serve.