Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole: The Ultimate Creamy, Cheesy Baked Pasta
Indulge in the rich, creamy goodness of this Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole, a delightful baked pasta dish that brings together layers of savory meat sauce, tender spaghetti, and a luxurious blend of ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan. This impressive casserole, known for its incredible flavor and comforting texture, is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and special gatherings. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing meal that promises a bubbly, cheesy top and a surprisingly smooth, “million-dollar” creamy center.
Why This Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe is a Must-Try
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole stands out as a true culinary gem, offering a creamy, intensely flavorful pasta bake that shares the comforting appeal of a classic lasagna but with a unique twist. Its layered structure of robust meat sauce, perfectly cooked spaghetti, and an abundance of cheesy goodness makes it an instant favorite. The secret to its signature “million dollar” creaminess, which sets it apart from other pasta bakes, lies in the clever addition of cream cheese blended with traditional ricotta. This combination creates an incredibly smooth and rich texture that melts in your mouth with every bite.
Beyond its luxurious creaminess, this recipe works wonders because it’s designed for convenience and flavor. By using spaghetti, it offers a different mouthfeel than flat lasagna noodles, creating a delightful tangle of pasta that absorbs the rich sauce beautifully. The blend of Italian sausage and ground beef in the sauce ensures a complex and savory base, while the duo of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses creates that irresistible golden, bubbly crust and gooey interior that everyone craves. It’s a casserole that not only tastes incredible but also makes for fantastic leftovers, proving its worth far beyond a single meal.
Essential Ingredients and Smart Substitutions for Your Million Dollar Spaghetti
Crafting the perfect Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole begins with selecting quality ingredients. Below, we’ve detailed each component and offered helpful substitution suggestions to tailor this recipe to your taste and pantry. You can find all specific measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card located at the end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Customization Options
- PASTA: While the name explicitly calls for spaghetti, feel free to experiment with other pasta shapes. Wider noodles like fettuccine or linguine, or even shorter pasta like ziti, penne, or rigatoni, can create an equally delicious baked pasta casserole with a different textural experience. The crucial tip here is to cook your noodles *al dente*. This means cooking them until they are firm to the bite, as they will continue to cook and absorb moisture while baking in the oven. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy and ensures a perfectly tender bite in the final dish. You can also opt for whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti for dietary needs.
- MEAT SAUCE: Our preferred combination for a deeply flavorful sauce includes both Italian sausage and lean ground beef. The Italian sausage adds a wonderful depth of flavor and a hint of spice, complementing the savory notes of the beef. However, you have plenty of flexibility:
- All Beef or All Sausage: If you prefer, you can certainly use all ground beef or all Italian sausage.
- Ground Turkey/Chicken: For a lighter alternative, ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for some or all of the red meat. Be sure to season it well, as poultry can be milder in flavor.
- Vegetarian Option: To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the meat entirely. You can enhance the sauce with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or even cooked lentils for a heartier, plant-based alternative.
- Marinara Sauce: A good quality marinara sauce is key. You can use your favorite store-bought brand (we recommend two 24-ounce jars for this recipe) or a homemade marinara for an extra special touch. Don’t be afraid to enhance it with extra garlic, basil, or oregano to suit your palate.
- Onion: Finely chopped onion is essential for building a flavorful base for the meat sauce. It softens and caramelizes as it cooks, adding a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth.
- CHEESE LAYERS: The “million dollar” creaminess comes from a strategic blend of cheeses:
- Ricotta Cheese: Provides a classic creamy, slightly tangy layer.
- Cream Cheese: This is the secret ingredient that elevates the ricotta mixture to that signature ultra-creamy, smooth consistency. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for easier blending.
- Egg: A single large egg is mixed with the ricotta and cream cheese. This acts as a binder, helping the cheese layer set and hold its shape beautifully when baked, preventing it from becoming too runny.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Grated mozzarella is used generously for its excellent melting properties, creating those irresistible, gooey, stretchy cheese pulls.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan adds a sharp, salty, umami kick that perfectly balances the richness of the other cheeses and meat sauce. Feel free to use freshly grated for superior flavor.
- Other Cheeses: You can experiment by adding other cheeses like provolone, white cheddar, or a blend of Italian cheeses for additional flavor dimensions.
- GARNISH (Optional): Freshly chopped parsley adds a touch of color and a fresh herbaceous note as a garnish.
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti: Step-by-Step Instructions
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are provided to help you visualize each stage of making this delicious casserole. For a printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and comprehensive instructions, you can Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this page.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Begin by cooking your spaghetti noodles in a large pot of generously salted boiling water. Follow the package instructions carefully, ensuring you cook them only until they are al dente. This firm texture is crucial because the noodles will continue to cook as they bake in the oven, preventing them from becoming overcooked and mushy. Once cooked, drain the spaghetti thoroughly and set it aside to cool slightly. Simultaneously, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing it for the casserole bake.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce Base: While the spaghetti cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, ground beef, and chopped onion to the skillet. Break up the meat with a spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until both meats are completely browned and no longer pink, and the onion has softened and become translucent. This step is essential for developing a deep, savory flavor. Once cooked, carefully drain off any excess oil or fat from the skillet to prevent the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Combine with Marinara: Once the meat is browned and drained, pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the cooked meat and onion mixture. Stir everything together well until the sauce is evenly combined with the meat. Allow it to simmer gently for a few minutes to let the flavors meld, then remove from heat and set this rich meat sauce aside.
- Prepare the Creamy Ricotta Layer: In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, and the large egg. Using a hand mixer or a whisk, beat these ingredients together until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. This is the “million dollar” secret to the casserole’s signature creaminess, so ensure there are no lumps of cream cheese remaining.
- Assemble the Casserole Layers: To assemble your Million Dollar Spaghetti, start by spooning about 1 cup of your prepared meat sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This creates a flavorful base and prevents the pasta from sticking. Next, layer half of the cooked spaghetti noodles evenly over the sauce. Follow this with half of the meat mixture, spreading it out. Then, dollop half of the creamy ricotta mixture over the meat, distributing it as evenly as possible. Finally, sprinkle half of the grated mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Repeat this layering process with the remaining halves of the spaghetti, meat mixture, ricotta mixture, and cheeses, ensuring the top layer is generous with cheese for that perfect golden crust.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the assembled casserole into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes. The casserole is ready when the cheese on top is fully melted, beautifully golden, and the sauce is bubbling invitingly around the edges of the dish. For an extra golden-brown, slightly crispy cheese topping, you can optionally broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the very end. Keep a close eye on it during broiling to prevent burning!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Million Dollar Spaghetti
Absolutely! Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is an excellent make-ahead meal that freezes beautifully. To freeze, assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish (an aluminum pan works wonderfully for this purpose). Once assembled, cover it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Label it with the date and freeze for up to 1-2 months. When you’re ready to bake, transfer the frozen casserole to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw completely overnight. If using a glass dish, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before placing it in the preheated oven to prevent thermal shock. Bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to ensure it’s heated through.
Store any leftover Million Dollar Spaghetti covered with an air-tight lid or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. To reheat individual portions, the microwave works quickly and efficiently. For larger portions or to reheat the entire casserole, cover it with foil and warm it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, typically 20-30 minutes. Adding a splash of extra marinara sauce or a sprinkle of water can help keep it moist during reheating.
Yes, this casserole is perfect for preparing ahead of time! You can assemble the Million Dollar Spaghetti up to a day in advance. Store it, unbaked, in the refrigerator tightly covered with an air-tight lid or plastic wrap until you are ready to bake. When it’s baking time, remove the casserole from the fridge as your oven preheats; you want to avoid putting a cold glass dish directly into a hot oven to prevent cracking. If you plan on preparing this casserole ahead, it’s even more important to cook the noodles al dente or slightly undercooked, as they will soak up the surrounding ingredients and moisture as it sits, ensuring they don’t become soggy when baked.
The “million dollar” moniker primarily refers to the exceptionally rich and creamy cheese layer. Unlike traditional baked spaghetti recipes that might only use ricotta, this recipe incorporates softened cream cheese into the ricotta mixture. This addition creates an incredibly smooth, decadent, and luxurious cheese filling that truly elevates the dish to a “million dollar” experience in terms of taste and texture. It’s a comforting dish that feels gourmet and indulgent.
Several factors can contribute to a watery casserole. First, ensure your spaghetti is thoroughly drained after cooking – excess water clinging to the noodles can thin out your sauce. Second, drain any excess fat from your cooked ground meat before adding the marinara sauce. Third, make sure your marinara sauce isn’t too thin; if it is, let it simmer uncovered for a bit longer to reduce before assembling. Lastly, allowing the casserole to rest for 10-15 minutes after baking allows the layers to set and reabsorb some moisture, resulting in a cleaner slice.
Serving Suggestions for Million Dollar Spaghetti
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is undeniably hearty and satisfying enough to be a complete meal on its own, given its generous layers of pasta, meat, and cheese. However, to truly elevate your dining experience and balance the richness, it pairs beautifully with a few simple side dishes. Consider serving it alongside a fresh, crisp dinner salad with a light vinaigrette dressing to add a refreshing contrast. A classic side of warm, cheesy garlic bread or crusty Italian bread is always a welcome addition, perfect for soaking up any extra sauce. For a more complete meal, steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a simple vegetable medley would complement the rich pasta perfectly.
To serve, allow the casserole to cool for about 15 minutes after baking. This resting period allows the layers to set, making it much easier to cut into neat, individual squares. If your family is eager to dig in and can’t wait, don’t worry – it still scoops out wonderfully straight from the oven, offering a more rustic presentation. Pair with a glass of robust red wine, like a Chianti or Merlot, for the adults, and sparkling cider for the kids for a delightful family feast.
Explore More Delicious Casserole Recipes
If you loved the comforting layers of this Million Dollar Spaghetti, you’re in for a treat! Our collection features a variety of other fantastic casserole recipes perfect for any occasion:
- Classic Baked Ziti
- Effortless Ravioli Lasagna
- Hearty Southwest Ground Beef Casserole
- Flavorful Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Indulgent Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
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Million Dollar Spaghetti
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 48 ounces marinara sauce 2 – 24 ounce jars
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- freshly chopped parsley optional as garnish
Things You’ll Need
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13×9 baking dish
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Hand mixer
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Large skillet
Before You Begin
- It’s important to only cook the noodles al dente as they will continue to cook once added to the others ingredients and baked in the oven. You don’t want soggy noodles.
- For even faster assembly, stir together the cooked spaghetti and the meat sauce and pour mixture into the pan. Dollop the ricotta mixture throughout the spaghetti and then top everything with the shredded cheeses and bake.
- Store leftover million dollar spaghetti, covered, in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or freeze. Thaw overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Leave the casserole to cool for about 15 minutes if you would like to cut it into squares. If your family can’t wait, it scoops out just fine straight from the oven!
Instructions
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Cook spaghetti noodles in a large pot of salted water, according to package instructions, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Preheat oven to 350F.
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Meanwhile, in a large skillet, combine Italian sausage, ground beef, and onion. Cook until meats are no longer pink and onion is tender; drain off any excess oil.
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Add marinara sauce to the skillet and stir to combine; set aside.
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In a medium bowl, beat together ricotta, cream cheese, and egg.
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Spoon 1 cup of the meat sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Layer half of the spaghetti noodles, half of the meat mixture, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Repeat layering for the remaining half of the ingredients.
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Bake for 30 minutes until cheese is fully melted and the sauce is bubbling up around the sides of the dish. If desired, broil for 2-3 minutes to brown the top of the cheese.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.