Million Dollar Spaghetti is a hearty baked spaghetti casserole made with tender pasta tossed in a rich meat sauce and layered with creamy, melted cheeses. It’s an easy, family-friendly dinner that feels indulgent but is surprisingly affordable.
This cheesy baked spaghetti blends the best elements of traditional spaghetti and a pasta bake. It layers al dente noodles with a savory marinara-based meat sauce and a creamy cheese filling, then finishes with plenty of gooey mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan. The result is comfort food that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a casual family meal. While it requires some hands-on time—similar to assembling a lasagna—the payoff is a flavorful, satisfying casserole everyone will request again.
Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
- Family friendly. This recipe combines the familiar flavors of spaghetti and lasagna, all baked together in a single dish—easy to serve and perfect for feeding a crowd.
- Rich, layered flavor. The meat sauce coats the pasta and the cheese mixture adds creaminess that bakes into a golden, bubbly top.
- Budget-friendly. Made from simple pantry staples, this casserole stretches ingredients into several hearty servings.
What You’ll Need
Below are the key ingredients for Million Dollar Spaghetti. For an organized printable list, refer to the recipe card section.
- Spaghetti. One pound of dry spaghetti fills a 9×13-inch casserole. Other pasta shapes work too (see variations).
- Olive oil. For sautéing the onion and browning the meat.
- Onion. One medium yellow or white onion, diced.
- Ground beef & Italian sausage. A mix of ground beef and Italian sausage gives great flavor; swap for other ground meats or vegetarian alternatives as desired.
- Seasonings. Salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
- Marinara sauce. A 24-ounce jar of your favorite marinara keeps things simple.
- Cheeses. The casserole uses a blend: ricotta, cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan. Cottage cheese can replace ricotta if needed.
- Sour cream. Adds tang and extra creaminess to the cheese layer.
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 375°F and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta. Add the spaghetti to boiling water and cook until just al dente following package directions.
- Prepare the sauce. Sauté diced onion in olive oil until softened. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, season with pepper and garlic powder, and cook until browned. Stir in the marinara, reduce heat, and simmer briefly to meld flavors.
- Make the cheese mixture. Whisk together ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth.
- Assemble the casserole. Toss the drained pasta with the meat sauce. Spread half the pasta in a 9×13 baking dish, then spread the cheese mixture over it and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella. Add the remaining pasta, then top with the remaining mozzarella and the Parmesan.
- Bake. Bake uncovered at 375°F for about 40 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let rest briefly before serving.
Recipe Tips And Variations
- Aim for al dente pasta. Because the pasta will bake a second time, stop cooking it when it’s still slightly firm to avoid a mushy casserole.
- Rest before slicing. Let the baked casserole sit 10–15 minutes after it comes out of the oven so the sauce and cheese set for cleaner portions.
- Vegetarian option. Swap the meat for a plant-based ground meat or a mix of mushrooms and lentils.
- Change the pasta. You can use linguine, penne, ziti, or another shape instead of spaghetti—results are still delicious even if the shape changes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with crusty bread or warm dinner rolls to mop up sauce. A simple green salad, cucumber salad, or a fresh tomato-and-avocado salad adds brightness and balances the richness of the casserole.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge. Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for 4–5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat larger portions in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
- Freezer. Freeze cooled portions tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the unbaked assembled casserole; thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
More Cozy Casserole Recipes
- Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
- Hamburger Potato Casserole
- Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Chili Cornbread Casserole
- Easy Cheeseburger Casserole
Million Dollar Spaghetti
by Katerina | Easy Weeknight Recipes
A simple spaghetti casserole with pasta tossed in a homemade meat sauce and baked with layers of cheese.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 pound spaghetti
For the Sauce
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¾ pound ground beef
- ¾ pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 24 ounces jar marinara sauce
To Assemble the Casserole
- ¾ cups ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan
Instructions
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Prep. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
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Make the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the salt, then the spaghetti. Cook to al dente according to package instructions.
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Make the sauce. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, season with black pepper and garlic powder, and brown the meat, breaking it up with a spoon. Stir in the marinara sauce, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes.
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Make the cheese mixture. Whisk together ricotta, sour cream, and cream cheese until smooth.
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Assemble. Toss the cooked pasta with the meat sauce until evenly coated. Spread half the pasta in a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer the cheese mixture over it, sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella, then add the remaining pasta. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
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Bake. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Equipment
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9×13 Baking Dish
Nutrition
Calories: 695kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 39g
Nutritional info is an estimate. Values may vary based on ingredients and preparation.