Ingredients
Spaghetti and Sauce
- 10 ounces whole wheat spaghetti
- 28 ounces pasta sauce
Meat Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground turkey or chicken
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil the whole wheat spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and return to the pot. Stir in all of the pasta sauce to coat the noodles evenly.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook Meat: Add the ground turkey or chicken to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks until it loses its pink color.
- Season Meat: Sprinkle the meat with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until the meat begins to brown and the spices are well blended.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, grated parmesan cheese, and half (1 cup) of the shredded mozzarella cheese until smooth and combined.
- Layer Casserole: In a rectangular baking dish, spread half of the sauced spaghetti evenly. Layer half of the cheese mixture over the pasta, then spread half of the cooked meat mixture on top. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, cheese, and meat. Finish by sprinkling the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden and melted.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious Million Dollar Spaghetti!
Notes
- For a lower-fat option, use ground chicken breast instead of turkey or opt for reduced-fat cheeses.
- You can substitute the whole wheat spaghetti with gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Add some fresh basil or parsley on top before serving for extra flavor and color.
- Make sure not to overcook the spaghetti during the boiling step as it will bake further in the oven and could become mushy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
