Million Dollar Spaghetti is a comforting baked spaghetti casserole made with tender pasta tossed in a savory meat sauce and layered with creamy, melted cheeses. It’s an easy, family-friendly dinner that delivers big flavor without a lot of fuss.
This cheesy baked spaghetti combines the best parts of classic spaghetti and a layered pasta bake. It features al dente noodles coated in a rich marinara and meat mixture, a creamy cheese layer, and a golden, bubbling cheese topping. It takes a little time—similar to lasagna—but the result is worth the wait. The casserole is great for feeding a crowd and makes excellent leftovers.
Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
- Family favorite. It blends the familiar comfort of lasagna with the simplicity of spaghetti, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Full of flavor. Savory meat sauce, tender pasta, and layers of creamy, melty cheese deliver satisfying, familiar flavors everyone will enjoy.
- Budget-friendly. Despite the indulgent name, the recipe uses simple, inexpensive ingredients and yields generous portions.
What You’ll Need
Notes on key ingredients for Million Dollar Spaghetti. For the full printable ingredient list, refer to the recipe card below.
- Spaghetti. One pound of dry spaghetti fills a standard 9×13 casserole. Any similar pasta can be substituted if preferred.
- Olive oil. Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil for sautéing.
- Onion. One medium yellow or white onion, diced.
- Ground beef & Italian sausage. The recipe uses a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage for robust flavor. You can substitute other ground meats or use all beef or a leaner option like turkey or chicken.
- Seasonings. Salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder to season the meat.
- Marinara sauce. A 24-ounce jar of your favorite marinara keeps things simple and flavorful.
- Cheeses. A mix of ricotta, cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan creates a rich, creamy assembly. Cottage cheese can replace ricotta if needed.
- Sour cream. Adds tang and creaminess to the cheese layer.
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta. Cook the spaghetti to al dente according to package directions, then drain.
- Prepare the sauce. Sauté the diced onion in olive oil until softened. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, season with pepper and garlic powder, and brown the meat. Stir in the marinara, reduce heat, and simmer for about 20 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Prepare the cheese mixture. Whisk together ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth.
- Assemble the casserole. Toss the cooked pasta with the meat sauce. Spread half the pasta in a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread the cheese mixture over it, and sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Add the remaining pasta, then top with the remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan.
- Bake. Bake uncovered at 375°F for about 40 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let rest 10–15 minutes before serving so the casserole sets for easier slicing.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Don’t overcook the pasta. Cook it to al dente since it will finish cooking in the oven; overcooked pasta can become mushy.
- Rest before serving. Allow the casserole to cool 10–15 minutes after baking so the layers set and slices hold together.
- Make it vegetarian. Omit the meat and use a plant-based ground meat substitute or sautéed vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini instead.
- Swap the pasta. If you don’t have spaghetti, this recipe works well with linguine, angel hair, penne, or ziti for a similar result.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Million Dollar Spaghetti with crusty bread or soft dinner rolls to mop up the sauce. A simple green salad, cucumber salad, or an avocado and tomato salad brightens the meal and adds a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge. Store cooled leftover casserole 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 leftovers tightly covered for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the unbaked assembled casserole; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
More Cozy Casserole Recipes
- Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
- Hamburger Potato Casserole
- Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Chili Cornbread Casserole
- Easy Cheeseburger Casserole
Million Dollar Spaghetti
An easy baked spaghetti casserole with pasta tossed in a homemade meat sauce and baked with layers of cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (for pasta water)
- 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 cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Make the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 2 teaspoons kosher salt, then the spaghetti. Cook to al dente and drain.
- Make the sauce. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high. Sauté the onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, season with black pepper and garlic powder, and cook until browned. Stir in marinara sauce, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes.
- Make the cheese mixture. Whisk together ricotta, sour cream, and cream cheese until smooth.
- Assemble. Toss pasta with the meat sauce. Spread half the pasta in a 9×13-inch baking pan, spread the cheese mixture evenly over the pasta, and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella. Top with the remaining pasta, then finish with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let rest 10–15 minutes before serving.
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
Nutrition (per serving, approximate)
Calories: 695 | Carbohydrates: 48 g | Protein: 38 g | Fat: 39 g | Saturated Fat: 19 g | Sodium: 1826 mg
Nutritional info is an estimate. Values may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.