Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the spaghetti and set it aside.
In a large skillet or frying pan, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the cooked meat, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and soft.
Pour the pasta sauce over the meat mixture, stirring well to combine. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a separate bowl, mix the cottage cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until well combined.
Now it’s time to layer the casserole: Spread half of the cooked spaghetti evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Drizzle half of the melted butter over the spaghetti to prevent it from drying out.
Spread the cottage cheese mixture over the spaghetti layer, using a spatula to distribute it evenly.
Add the remaining half of the spaghetti on top of the cheese layer, followed by the rest of the melted butter.
Pour the meat sauce over the second layer of spaghetti, spreading it out to cover the entire surface.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce layer, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, ensuring it’s tented slightly to prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil.
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Once the casserole is done baking, let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Optionally, garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is sure to be a hit at any gathering or family meal.
Enjoy!
