Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and creamy baked pasta casserole that combines tender spaghetti with a flavorful meat sauce and layers of creamy cheeses. This hearty dish, reminiscent of lasagna but simpler to prepare, is perfect for comforting weeknight dinners, family meals, or as a make-ahead freezer favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons butter (for tossing cooked pasta)
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound Italian sausage (optional, or use all ground beef)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (1 jar)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
Topping
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil salted water and cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and toss it with 2 tablespoons of butter to keep it moist. Set aside.
- Cook Meat Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain excess fat, then add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add Sauce and Seasoning: Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the meat, add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste, then simmer for 5-7 minutes to blend flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, sour cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
- Mix Spaghetti with Meat Sauce: Take about one cup of the meat sauce and mix it thoroughly with the cooked spaghetti to infuse flavor.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread half of the spaghetti mixed with meat sauce into the prepared baking dish. Evenly spread the cheese mixture over this layer. Add the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese and pour the remaining meat sauce evenly over all.
- Add Mozzarella and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking to set. Serve warm, ideally with garlic bread and a fresh side salad.
Notes
- This casserole is a deliciously easy alternative to traditional lasagna, loaded with creamy cheese and rich meat sauce.
- Ideal for weeknight dinners, feeding a crowd, or freezing for future meals.
- Using all ground beef is fine if Italian sausage is unavailable.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving helps it slice neatly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 778 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1052 mg
- Fat: 46 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 154 mg
