The Best Million Dollar Spaghetti

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion
• 1.25 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 pound ground sirloin
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 32 ounces marinara sauce
• 16 ounces spaghetti
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 0.25 cups sour cream
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons pepper
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.33 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• chopped parsley , for garnish

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, 1 teaspoon salt, and garlic; cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add ground beef and sausage and cook, crumbling with a spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 cups marinara sauce; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer while pasta cooks.

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a large casserole dish.

3. 3

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just tender with a bite, about 7 minutes. Drain; return spaghetti to the pot. Stir in 3 1/2 tablespoons butter and remaining marinara sauce.

4. 4

   Combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, remaining salt, pepper, and 1 cup mozzarella in a medium bowl and stir until well incorporated.

5. 5

   Add half of pasta to the casserole dish. Spread cheese mixture evenly over pasta. Add remaining pasta; cut remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter into thin slices, and arrange over pasta. Top with meat sauce mixture, remaining 2 cups mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese. Place casserole dish on a rimmed baking sheet.

6. 6

   Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and browned and pasta is bubbling around the edges, 40 to 50 minutes. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.