Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
Introduction
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a comforting, cheesy baked pasta dish that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings. It combines layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and tender spaghetti for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces spaghetti noodles
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage (or pork sausage)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Step 2: Make the meat sauce by cooking and crumbling the ground beef and Italian sausage in a large skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Remove most of the grease. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent. Stir in all but 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce and set aside.
- Step 3: Cook the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. While hot, add the butter and reserved 1/2 cup marinara sauce, tossing to combine.
- Step 4: Prepare the cheese layer by mixing the cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage (or ricotta) cheese until well combined.
- Step 5: Assemble the dish in a 9×13-inch baking pan. Spread half of the spaghetti noodles evenly in the pan. Smooth the cheese mixture over the noodles. Add the remaining noodles on top, then cover with the meat sauce, spreading it into an even layer. Finish by sprinkling shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
- Step 6: Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until hot and bubbly. Check after 20 minutes; if the cheese is browning too quickly, tent with foil. Allow the dish to rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving to let it set.
Tips & Variations
- Use ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese for a smoother texture in the cheese layer.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Reserve some of the mozzarella cheese to sprinkle on halfway through baking for an extra cheesy top.
- Swap out the Italian sausage for turkey sausage for a lighter version.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or reheat the entire dish covered with foil in a 350 degrees F oven until hot. This casserole can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day ahead, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. Bake it on the day you plan to serve, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s very cold.
What if I don’t have Italian sausage?
If you don’t have Italian sausage, regular pork sausage or even ground turkey seasoned with Italian herbs can be a good substitute.
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Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and creamy baked pasta dish featuring a savory meat sauce layered with a luscious blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese, all topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan. This comforting casserole blends classic Italian flavors with a decadent creamy cheese layer for an indulgent family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 16 ounces spaghetti noodles
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce (reserved)
Meat Sauce
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage (or pork sausage)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (use 23.5 oz in sauce, 0.5 oz reserved)
Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the assembled spaghetti casserole.
- Make Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, cook and crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Season with salt and pepper. Drain most of the grease from the skillet. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the meat and cook until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in all but 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce, combine well, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Noodles: Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until just al dente. Drain thoroughly, then transfer the hot noodles to a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and the reserved 1/2 cup marinara sauce to the noodles and toss well to combine and coat evenly.
- Make Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, blend together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese (or ricotta) until smooth and well combined, creating a creamy cheese mixture.
- Assemble the Casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking pan, spread half of the spaghetti noodles evenly on the bottom. Layer the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the noodles. Top the cheese layer with the remaining spaghetti noodles. Pour the prepared meat sauce over the top and spread into an even layer. Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan cheese evenly over the casserole.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the dish is hot and bubbly. Check around 20 minutes into baking; if the cheese appears to be browning too quickly, tent a piece of foil over the top to prevent burning.
- Rest Before Serving: Once baked, allow the casserole to rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving. This helps the dish to set up and makes serving cleaner and easier. Enjoy your creamy, delicious Million Dollar Spaghetti!
Notes
- You can substitute ricotta cheese for the cottage cheese in the cheese layer for a smoother texture.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce while cooking.
- Ensure not to overcook the spaghetti noodles to avoid mushy layers after baking.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving is important for clean slices and better texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; the dish also freezes well for future meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: spaghetti casserole, baked spaghetti, creamy pasta, Italian comfort food, layered pasta bake
