Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
If you’ve ever craved a comforting, baked pasta dish that’s equal parts creamy, cheesy, and hearty, then you’re going to love Million Dollar Spaghetti. This beloved casserole has taken the internet by storm, with food blogs and home cooks raving about its satisfying layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and indulgent cheese. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or even meal prepping, this dish earns its name by tasting like a million bucks—without breaking the bank.
Table of contents
- What Exactly is Million Dollar Spaghetti?
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients for Making Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Ingredient Notes & Substitutions:
- Equipment You’ll Need
- How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti: Step-by-Step Instructions
- Expert Tips for Perfect Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe Variations
- Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions
- What to Serve with Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion
What Exactly is Million Dollar Spaghetti?
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a baked spaghetti casserole that features layers of pasta, a hearty meat sauce, and a delightful blend of cheeses such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta, and mozzarella. It is similar to a combination of baked ziti and lasagna, providing all the delicious flavors without the complexity. Its name reflects its rich flavor and texture, making it a popular choice for families looking for a comforting meal that appeals to everyone.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly creamy and cheesy
- Make-ahead and freezer-friendly
- Easy to prepare and assemble
- Perfect for feeding a crowd
- Customizable with your favorite meats or veggies
Ready to dive in? Let’s gather our ingredients!
Ingredients for Making Million Dollar Spaghetti
Making this baked spaghetti casserole requires common pantry and refrigerator staples. Here’s what you’ll need:
The Pasta:
- 1 pound spaghetti (or your favorite long pasta like linguine or fettuccine)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, for boiling water
The Hearty Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ pounds ground meat (see notes below for options)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red-pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
- Salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional, to cut acidity)
- ½ cup beef or vegetable broth (if sauce is too thick)
The Creamy Cheese Layer:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese (whole milk recommended for creaminess)
- 8 ounces cream-cheese, softened
- ½ cup grated-Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg (acts as a binder)
- 1 teaspoon dried-Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black-pepper to taste
The Topping:
- 3-4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (use whole milk, low-moisture for best melt)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions:
- Ground Meat: A classic choice is lean ground beef. For more flavor, use a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage (sweet or spicy). Ground-turkey or chicken can be used for a lighter version.
- Cheese Layer: While ricotta is standard, some recipes use cottage cheese instead or a combination of both. Cream cheese adds extra richness and creaminess, which we highly recommend!
- Pasta Sauce: You can substitute the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and paste with your favorite jarred marinara sauce (about 40-48 ounces). Make sure it’s a good quality sauce you enjoy. You’ll still want to brown the meat, add garlic and seasonings, and then stir in the jarred sauce.
- Spices: Feel free to adjust the Italian seasoning, oregano, and red pepper flakes based on your preference.
- Sugar: Adding a pinch of sugar can help balance the acidity of the tomatoes, but it’s optional depending on your sauce.
- Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella can be used, but it releases more moisture. Shredded low-moisture mozzarella provides the best melt for a casserole.
- Pasta Type: While spaghetti is traditional, other long pasta shapes work well. You could also use shorter shapes like ziti or penne, which would technically make it a “million dollar baked ziti,” but the flavors are similar!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large pot (for boiling pasta)
- Large skillet or Dutch oven (for meat sauce)
- Large mixing bowl (for cheese mixture)
- 9×13 inch baking dish (or similar sized casserole dish)
- Colander
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti: Step-by-Step Instructions
Time needed: 55 minutes
Follow these steps for a truly spectacular baked spaghetti casserole.
- Cook the Spaghetti
Time: 8-10 minutes Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce
Time: 10-12 minutes In a large-skillet over medium-heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage with diced onion. Drain excess fat. Add garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix the Cheese Layer
Time: 5 minutes In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ricotta, cottage cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Stir until smooth.
- Assemble the Casserole
Time: 10 minutes Grease the 9×13 baking dish with butter. Layer half the spaghetti in the bottom, then spread the entire cheese mixture. Top with remaining spaghetti and pour the meat sauce over the top. Sprinkle extra mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake
Time: 30-35 minutes Cover with foil and bake-at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake-another 10 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.
Expert Tips for Perfect Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Since the pasta bakes in the oven, cooking it al dente is crucial. Mushy pasta is a no-go!
- Drain the Meat: Excess grease from the meat can make the casserole oily. Always drain it off after browning.
- Season Generously: Taste your meat sauce and cheese mixture before assembling. Don’t be afraid to add a little extra salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning to boost the flavor.
- Soften Cream-Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened for a smooth, lump-free cheese layer.
- Cover Initially: Covering the dish with foil for the first part of baking helps ensure the casserole heats through evenly without the cheese on top burning. Taking off the foil lets the cheese develop a beautiful, golden, bubbly crust.
- Let it Rest: Resting time is essential! It allows the layers to set and the sauce to redistribute, preventing a runny casserole.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe Variations
This Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe is easily adjustable to suit your preferences! Here are some-popular variations:
- Meat Variations: As mentioned, experiment with ground beef, Italian sausage, ground turkey, or chicken. A mix of beef and sausage is particularly flavorful.
- Cheese Combinations: If you don’t like cottage cheese, simply use ricotta. You can also swap Parmesan for Romano, or add a layer of provolone cheese for extra pull. Some recipes even include a layer of shredded cheddar for a sharper flavor profile.
- Meatless Million Dollar Spaghetti: Omit the meat. Sauté extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots. Add canned lentils or vegetarian crumbles to the marinara sauce for substance.
- Add Vegetables: Sauté chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or even spinach and stir them into the meat sauce for added nutrition and flavor.
- Spicy Version: Increase the red pepper flakes in the meat sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Add Alfredo Sauce: For an even richer casserole, some recipes incorporate a layer of Alfredo sauce, often mixed with the ricotta or layered separately. This adds a creamy, decadent dimension.
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free spaghetti instead of regular pasta.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions
Million Dollar Spaghetti is an excellent candidate for making ahead or freezing!
To Make Ahead:
Prepare the casserole completely in the baking dish, but do not bake it. Cover tightly with plastic-wrap, then aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to-bake, preheat the oven and bake as-directed, but you may need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the covered-baking time since it’s going in cold.
To Freeze (Unbaked):
Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe baking dish (like an aluminum foil pan). Cover tightly with plastic-wrap, then wrap again securely with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Label with the date. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To bake from frozen (unbaked): Remove from the freezer. Remove plastic wrap, but keep the foil cover on. Place the frozen casserole in a cold oven, then turn the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for about 01 hour 15 minutes to 01 hour 30 minutes, or until heated through. takeout the foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
To Freeze (Baked):
Bake the casserole-completely and let it cool entirely. You can freeze the whole casserole or divide it into individual portions in freezer-safe containers. Cover tightly with plastic-wrap, then foil (or ensure container lids are airtight). Label and freeze for up to 3 months.
To Reheat Baked Spaghetti:
- From Refrigerator: Cover individual portions and microwave until heated through. To reheat a larger portion or the whole casserole, cover-with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 mins, or until heated through. Remove foil for the last few minutes if you want to crisp the cheese.
- From Freezer: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight first, then reheat as you would from the refrigerator. You can also reheat individual portions directly from frozen in the microwave (will take longer). To reheat a whole frozen baked casserole, cover with-foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-60 mins, or until heated through.
What to Serve with Million Dollar Spaghetti
This hearty casserole is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with:
- A simple green salad with vinaigrette
- Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread
- Steamed or roasted-vegetables (like broccoli or green beans)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Once assembled, it typically bakes for about 40-45 minutes total (20 minutes covered, 20-25 minutes uncovered) at 350°F (175°C). Baking time will be longer if baking from cold (refrigerated) or frozen.
A combination is best! Mozzarella is essential for melting on top. For the creamy layer, ricotta, cottage cheese, and cream cheese are popular choices. Using a mix of ricotta and cream cheese often yields the creamiest result. Don’t forget Parmesan for that salty, nutty flavor.
Yes, it’s very similar in concept – layers of pasta, meat sauce, and cheese baked together. The main differences are using spaghetti noodles instead of flat lasagna sheets and the specific creamy cheese mixture often found in Million Dollar Spaghetti (especially the inclusion of cottage or cream cheese). It’s generally considered easier and quicker to assemble than traditional lasagna.
Absolutely! Ground Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), ground turkey, or ground chicken are all great options. Using a mix of ground-beef and sausage is highly recommended for enhanced flavor.
Store leftover Million Dollar Spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual-portions in the microwave or larger portions covered in the oven.
This can happen if the pasta isn’t cooked al dente (it absorbs too much liquid while baking), if the meat sauce is too thick, or if you didn’t drain enough grease from the meat. Ensure your sauce has enough moisture before assembling, and cook the pasta just-until al dente.
Conclusion
Million Dollar Spaghetti is the ultimate-comfort food champion. It’s rich, creamy, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re feeding your family or hosting a gathering, this baked spaghetti casserole is guaranteed to be a hit. It’s easy enough for a weeknight yet impressive enough for a special occasion.
Give this recipe a try, and prepare to fall in love with this “million dollar” dish! Don’t forget to experiment with the variations to find your perfect combination.
Let us know in the comments how your Million Dollar Spaghetti turned out and what variations you tried!
Related Recipes You Might Enjoy
Did You Make This Recipe!
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Mixing Bowls
- Spatula or spoon
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb spaghetti
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage optional
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jar 24 oz marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other:
- 2 tbsp butter for greasing dish
- Extra mozzarella & Parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Cook spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Meat Sauce: Brown ground beef and sausage with diced onion in a large skillet. Drain fat. Add garlic, sauce, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix Cheese Layer: In a bowl, combine cream cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta, sour cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Mix well.
- Assemble: Butter a 9×13 baking dish. Layer half the pasta, then all the cheese mixture, then the rest of the pasta. Top with meat sauce and sprinkle extra cheese on top.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Rest & Serve: Let rest 10 minutes before serving for cleaner slices.
2 thoughts on “The BEST Creamy Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe (Baked Casserole)”