Million dollar spaghetti is a comforting baked spaghetti casserole made with tender pasta tossed in a savory meat sauce and layered with melting cheeses. It’s an easy, family-friendly dinner that delivers big flavor and reheats beautifully for leftovers.
This cheesy baked spaghetti combines the best elements of classic spaghetti and a hearty pasta bake. Layers of al dente noodles are coated in a rich marinara and seasoned meat sauce, topped with a creamy cheese mixture and a blanket of gooey mozzarella and Parmesan. It’s simple to assemble and the result is a crowd-pleasing casserole that feels special without being fussy.
Why you’ll love this million dollar spaghetti casserole
- Family-friendly: A casserole-style spaghetti that feeds a crowd and is easy to serve for weeknight dinners.
- Big flavor: Savory browned meat simmered with marinara and layered with multiple cheeses for depth and creaminess.
- Budget-savvy: Uses pantry staples and affordable protein to yield generous servings.
What you’ll need
Here are the main ingredients for million dollar spaghetti. For precise measurements, refer to the recipe card below.
- Spaghetti: 1 pound dry spaghetti fits a 9×13-inch dish. Other pasta shapes work as well.
- Olive oil: For sautéing the onion and browning the meat.
- Onion: One medium yellow or white onion, diced.
- Ground meats: Combination of ground beef and Italian sausage is classic, but you can use all beef, turkey, chicken, or a vegetarian substitute.
- Seasonings: Salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and garlic powder to flavor the meat.
- Marinara sauce: One 24-ounce jar or a similar amount of your favorite tomato sauce.
- Cheeses: Ricotta, cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan. Cottage cheese can substitute for ricotta if needed.
- Sour cream: Adds richness and a touch of tang to the cheese layer.
How to make million dollar spaghetti
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta: Add the spaghetti and cook to al dente following package directions; drain.
- Prepare the sauce: Sauté the diced onion in olive oil until soft. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, season with pepper and garlic powder, and brown. Stir in marinara and simmer to meld flavors.
- Make the cheese layer: Whisk together ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth.
- Assemble: Toss the cooked pasta with the meat sauce. Spread half the pasta in a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread the cheese mixture over it, sprinkle with mozzarella, then add the remaining pasta. Top with remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan.
- Bake: Bake uncovered at 375°F for about 40 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let rest 10–15 minutes before serving for cleaner slices.
Recipe tips and variations
- Cook pasta al dente: Slightly firm noodles hold up better during baking and prevent a mushy texture.
- Let it rest: Allowing the casserole to sit 10–15 minutes after baking helps it set and cuts more neatly.
- Vegetarian option: Swap meat for a plant-based ground substitute or sautéed mushrooms and lentils.
- Use other pasta: Penne, ziti, or rigatoni work well if you prefer a different shape.
Serving suggestions
Serve with crusty bread or warm dinner rolls to soak up extra sauce. A simple green salad, cucumber salad, or sliced tomatoes with a light vinaigrette add freshness and balance to the rich casserole.
How to store and reheat leftovers
- Refrigerator: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for 4–5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or rewarm larger portions covered in a 350°F oven until heated through.
- Freezer: Freeze tightly wrapped portions for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the unbaked assembled casserole; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
More cozy casserole recipes
- Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
- Hamburger Potato Casserole
- Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Chili Cornbread Casserole
- Easy Cheeseburger Casserole
Million Dollar Spaghetti
by Katerina | Easy Weeknight Recipes
An easy spaghetti casserole made with pasta tossed in a homemade meat sauce and baked with layers of cheese.
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 1 10
Total Time: 1 20
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 pound spaghetti
For the Sauce
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¾ pound ground beef
- ¾ pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 24 ounces jar marinara sauce
To assemble the casserole
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Make the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and cook the pasta to al dente. Drain.
- Make the sauce. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, season with black pepper and garlic powder, and brown the meat while breaking it apart. Stir in marinara sauce, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Make the cheese mixture. Whisk together ricotta, sour cream, and cream cheese until smooth.
- Assemble. Toss pasta with the meat sauce. Spread half the pasta in a 9×13-inch baking pan, spread the cheese mixture evenly over it, and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella. Add the remaining pasta, then top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let rest before serving.
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish
Nutrition
Calories: 695kcal
| Carbohydrates: 48g
| Protein: 38g
| Fat: 39g
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Values may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.
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