A Hearty, Crowd-Pleasing Classic — Straight from Dottie’s Kitchen
There’s something special about a dish that brings back memories of family, friends, and festive gatherings. Chicago Spaghetti is one of those comforting, old-fashioned recipes that everyone at the table falls in love with.
It’s rich, meaty, cheesy, and baked to perfection — the kind of casserole-style spaghetti that tastes even better the next day. Originally made by “Dottie” for Christmas parties, this dish captures everything that’s great about Midwest comfort food: generous portions, bold flavors, and lots of love baked right in.
🍅 Ingredients
For the Spaghetti
12 oz (340 g) spaghetti noodles
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt (for boiling water)
For the Meat Sauce
1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or Italian sausage for extra flavor)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (24 oz) jar of marinara or spaghetti sauce
1 (14 oz) can of diced tomatoes, drained
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Cheese Layer
1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese for a lighter version)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg (optional, helps bind the layer
