Description

Million Dollar Spaghetti is a decadent baked spaghetti casserole featuring layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and creamy cheese mixtures, all topped with melted mozzarella. This rich and comforting dish combines ground beef, Italian sausage, and a blend of cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, and Parmesan for a luscious texture and bold flavor. Perfect for family dinners or make-ahead meals, it’s an easier twist on traditional lasagna that delivers big on taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Spaghetti

1 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons butter (for tossing cooked pasta)

Meat Sauce

1 pound ground beef
½ pound Italian sausage (optional, or use all ground beef)
1 small onion (finely chopped)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
24 ounces marinara sauce (1 jar)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
salt and pepper (to taste)

Cheese Mixture

8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
1 cup sour cream
½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

Topping

2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)

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Instructions

Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
Cook spaghetti: Bring salted water to boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente following package directions. Drain and toss with 2 tablespoons of butter to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Cook meat and vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain excess fat. Add finely chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Simmer sauce: Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes for flavors to meld. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Prepare cheese mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, sour cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
Combine meat sauce with spaghetti: Reserve about a cup of the meat sauce separately. Mix this portion into the cooked spaghetti to coat the noodles.
Assemble casserole: Spread half of the spaghetti mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Layer the cheese mixture evenly over the spaghetti. Top with the remaining spaghetti. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top layer evenly.
Add cheese topping: Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire top surface.
Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the mozzarella is melted and bubbly with golden spots.
Rest and serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes to set before slicing. Serve warm, optionally with garlic bread and a side salad.

Notes

This Million Dollar Spaghetti is the ultimate baked pasta casserole, creamy, cheesy, saucy, and loaded with flavor.
It’s like lasagna’s easier, richer cousin, perfect for weeknights, family dinners, or make-ahead freezer meals.
For a milder flavor, substitute the Italian sausage with all ground beef.
Using softened cream cheese helps achieve a smooth cheese mixture without lumps.
Resting the casserole after baking improves slicing and flavor melding.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 778 kcal
Sugar: 7 g
Sodium: 1052 mg
Fat: 46 g
Saturated Fat: 23 g
Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 53 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 154 mg