Half a Million $$$ Loaded Spaghetti (2 Servings)
A shortcut version of the classic Million Dollar Spaghetti — rich, cheesy, and satisfying in half the time!
Ingredients
- 4 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 cup marinara or meat sauce (store-bought is fine!)
- ¼ lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- 2 tbsp butter, sliced
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional veggies: mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini — add to the meat sauce while it simmers
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the pasta. Boil spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the meat. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or sausage until browned. Drain fat, then stir in the marinara sauce. Simmer 3–5 minutes.
- Make the cheese layer. In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Layer it up. In a small baking dish (or oven-safe skillet), place butter slices on the bottom. Add half the cooked spaghetti, then spread the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles. Top with remaining spaghetti.
- Add the sauce. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella.
- Bake. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
- Serve & enjoy! Let it rest 5 minutes before serving. Pairs great with garlic bread.
Tip: Make it even faster by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of ground beef!