Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich, comforting baked pasta dish loaded with layers of seasoned meat, creamy cheeses, and melty mozzarella. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Essential Ingredients:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (1 jar)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Optional Add-Ons:
- Chopped bell peppers or mushrooms
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
- Crushed red pepper for heat
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with 2 tablespoons butter.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, Italian sausage (if using), onion, and garlic until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, ricotta (or cottage cheese), and sour cream until smooth.
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the spaghetti, followed by the cheese mixture, half of the meat sauce, then repeat the layers. Top with Parmesan and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
- Use full-fat cream cheese and sour cream for the creamiest results.
- You can assemble this dish ahead and refrigerate it overnight before baking.
- Leftovers reheat well and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: undefined
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: undefined
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: undefined
Keywords: Million Dollar Spaghetti, Baked Pasta Casserole, Creamy Spaghetti Bake, Ground Beef Pasta Recipe