Easy Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe Everyone Will Adore

Crafting a million dollar spaghetti recipe might sound like a culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

Pasta lovers will appreciate this mouthwatering dish that promises comfort and elegance in every bite.

Layers of rich, creamy cheese mingle with savory meat sauce, creating a symphony of flavors.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become extraordinary with this simple yet impressive meal.

Simple ingredients come together in a way that feels almost magical.

Hearty and satisfying, you can’t help but fall in love with each forkful.

Prepare to be amazed by how something so straightforward can taste so luxurious.

Million Dollar Spaghetti Packed With Flavor

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Transforms classic spaghetti into a rich, cheesy casserole that satisfies everyone from kids to adults with its irresistible layers of pasta, meat, and creamy cheese.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Requires simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it perfect for home cooks who want a delicious meal without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
• Meal Prep Champion: Ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or make-ahead meals that can be prepared in advance and baked when needed, saving precious time during busy weeknights.
• Customizable Delight: Easily adaptable by switching ground beef for turkey, adding vegetables, or adjusting cheese types to suit personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients List For Million Dollar Spaghetti

• Spaghetti: A classic pasta that serves as the hearty base of this comforting casserole.
• Ground Beef: The protein that adds rich flavor and substance to the dish.
• Marinara Sauce: A tangy tomato sauce that provides moisture and traditional Italian taste.

• Cottage Cheese, Cream Cheese, Sour Cream: A creamy blend that creates a luxurious and smooth layer between pasta noodles.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Melty cheeses that add a golden brown topping with delicious cheesy flavor.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Cooking Spray or Butter: Used to grease the baking dish and prevent sticking.

How To Cook Million Dollar Spaghetti

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350 degrees Fahrenheit, getting it ready for a delicious baked pasta adventure.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta Base

Boil the spaghetti according to the package directions until perfectly al dente.

Drain the pasta and set it aside, ready for layering.

Step 3: Sizzle the Meat Sauce

Grab a skillet and brown the ground beef until it’s fully cooked and deliciously crispy.

Stir in the marinara sauce, creating a rich and flavorful meat mixture that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Cheese Blend

• Cottage cheese
• Cream cheese
• Sour cream

Blend these together until smooth and irresistibly silky.

Step 5: Create the First Pasta Layer

Take a greased baking dish and spread out half of the cooked spaghetti as the foundation of your million-dollar masterpiece.

Step 6: Add the Cheese Blanket

Generously spread the creamy cheese mixture over the first layer of spaghetti, creating a luxurious blanket of cheesy goodness.

Step 7: Complete the Pasta Stack

Layer the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese mixture, building your pasta tower.

Step 8: Pour on the Meat Sauce

Drench the pasta layers with the sizzling meat sauce, ensuring every nook and cranny gets covered.

Step 9: Sprinkle Cheese Topping

• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Grated parmesan cheese

over the top of the dish.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Watch for a golden-brown top and bubbling edges that signal it’s ready to devour.

Step 11: Rest and Serve

Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes after removing from the oven.

This helps the layers set and makes serving easier. Slice, serve, and enjoy your million-dollar spaghetti!

Pro Tips For Creamy And Rich Million Dollar Spaghetti

• Replace cottage cheese with ricotta for a smoother, richer texture and classic Italian flavor.
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat to make the dish lighter and more diet-friendly.
• Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley on top for extra freshness and vibrant color before serving.
• Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, which allows flavors to meld and makes meal prep easier.
• Use low-fat dairy options to reduce calories without compromising the creamy, comforting taste of this delicious spaghetti bake.

Delicious Takes On Million Dollar Spaghetti

• Vegetarian Spaghetti Casserole: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a meat-free version that's protein-packed and equally delicious.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bake: Swap traditional spaghetti with gluten-free pasta to make this recipe safe for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Pasta Alternative: Use spiralized zucchini noodles instead of spaghetti to reduce carbohydrates and add extra vegetables to the dish.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Spin: Incorporate feta cheese, olives, and add some oregano and basil to give the casserole a Greek-inspired flavor profile.

Serving Million Dollar Spaghetti With Flair

• Cozy Family Feast: Perfect for Sunday dinners when everyone gathers around the table, sharing stories and enjoying hearty comfort food.
• Italian Potluck Star: Bring this crowd-pleasing casserole to neighborhood gatherings or church events where people love rich, cheesy pasta dishes.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Serve in individual portions during sports watching parties, making it easy for guests to grab and enjoy without missing any exciting moments.
• Weeknight Meal Makeover: Transform a simple dinner into something special by pairing with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete, satisfying meal that feels restaurant-worthy.

Storage Advice For Million Dollar Spaghetti

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing in the container to keep the spaghetti moist and prevent freezer burn.
• Freeze portions for up to 2-3 months, ensuring you label the container with the date and contents for easy tracking.
• Reheat refrigerated portions in the microwave by placing on a microwave-safe plate, covering with a damp paper towel, and heating in 1-minute intervals until thoroughly warm, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.

FAQs

• What makes this dish different from regular spaghetti casserole?

This recipe creates a rich, creamy layered spaghetti with a decadent cheese mixture between pasta layers, giving it a more luxurious texture and flavor compared to traditional spaghetti bakes.

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Absolutely! You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or Italian sausage for varied flavor profiles while maintaining the recipe’s core structure.

• Is this recipe good for feeding a large group?

Yes, this casserole is perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and large dinner parties because it’s easy to prepare, serves multiple people, and can be made ahead of time.

Best Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Spaghetti lovers will adore this million dollar spaghetti casserole that combines hearty meat sauce with creamy cheese layers. Baked to golden perfection, this comforting dish delivers rich flavors you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (453 grams) spaghetti
• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 24 ounces (680 grams) marinara sauce
• 1 cup (226 grams) cottage cheese
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese

Dairy and Cheese Toppings:

• 1 cup (227 grams) sour cream
• 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a deep baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles until completely browned and no pink remains.
4. Stir marinara sauce into the cooked beef, ensuring even distribution and simmering for 2-3 minutes.
5. Create the creamy cheese layer by whisking cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth and well-combined.
6. Arrange the first half of cooked spaghetti as a base layer in the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
7. Gently spread the entire cheese mixture over the first spaghetti layer, creating a consistent creamy coating.
8. Top the cheese layer with the remaining spaghetti, covering it completely.
9. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the entire spaghetti surface, ensuring thorough coverage.
10. Sprinkle generous amounts of mozzarella and parmesan cheese across the top of the dish.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and develops a golden-brown crust.
12. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-7 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and dish to cool slightly.

Notes

• Swap cottage cheese with ricotta for a smoother, more traditional Italian texture and richer flavor profile.
• Enhance meat sauce by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano for deeper complexity and aromatic depth.
• Make it vegetarian by replacing ground beef with plant-based crumbles or roasted vegetables like zucchini and eggplant.
• Reduce calories by using low-fat cheese options and lean ground turkey instead of traditional ground beef.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg