Description

Million Dollar Spaghetti is a crowd-pleasing, family-friendly casserole that blends the best of spaghetti and lasagna for a rich, cheesy, and comforting baked pasta dish. Layers of perfectly cooked spaghetti, flavorful meat sauce, and a creamy, cheesy filling are topped with gooey melted cheese, creating a decadent and satisfying meal that’s perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Pasta

1 pound (16 oz) spaghetti noodles

Meat Sauce

1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (24 oz) jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste

Cheesy Layer

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Topping

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti noodles and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain the noodles and set aside.
Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and onions until the meat is browned and onions are soft, about 6-8 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Make the Cheesy Layer: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
Assemble the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the cooked spaghetti noodles evenly on the bottom, then layer all of the cheesy mixture over the noodles. Add the remaining spaghetti noodles on top of the cheese layer. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the top layer of noodles.
Add the Cheese Topping: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the sauce to cover completely.
Bake and Serve: Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving for clean layers.

Notes

Swap out ground beef or sausage for ground turkey or a plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian version.
Letting the dish rest after baking helps the casserole set and makes serving easier.
Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach to the meat sauce for extra veggies.
This dish freezes well—assemble and freeze before baking for a make-ahead meal.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
Calories: 520
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 900mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 39g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 27g
Cholesterol: 95mg