Description

Million Dollar Taco Spaghetti is a delicious fusion dish that combines the flavorful spices of taco seasoning with classic spaghetti. This baked casserole features layers of spaghetti, creamy cheese mixtures, seasoned ground beef, and a zesty tomato sauce, all baked to bubbly perfection. It’s a crowd-pleasing meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks, delivering a comforting and hearty twist on traditional spaghetti.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

1 (16-oz) package spaghetti

Meat Sauce

1 lb ground beef
1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning
1 (10-oz) can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
1 (28-oz) jar spaghetti sauce

Cheese Mixture

1 cup cottage cheese
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
¼ cup sour cream
2 Tbsp parsley
½ tsp garlic powder

Topping

2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to prepare for baking the casserole.
Cook Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning, undrained Rotel tomatoes, and spaghetti sauce, mixing well. Remove from heat and set aside.
Mix Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, parsley, and garlic powder. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Assemble Casserole: Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread half of the cooked spaghetti evenly on the bottom of the dish. Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture over the noodles. Layer the remaining spaghetti on top. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the top layer of noodles. Finally, sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend over everything.
Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving to let it set and make portions easier to cut.

Notes

To add extra flavor, you can mix in chopped onions or bell peppers with the ground beef when browning.
Using fresh parsley can enhance the flavor; if using dried, stick to 2 teaspoons instead of tablespoons.
For a spicier dish, use a hotter variety of Rotel tomatoes or add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Make sure to let the casserole rest before serving to allow it to set properly.