Get ready to discover your new family-favorite dinner. This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is the absolute pinnacle of comfort food, layering rich, savory meat sauce, tender spaghetti, and a luxuriously creamy cheese filling. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, a potluck showstopper, or a make-ahead meal that tastes even better the next day. We’ve packed this recipe with simple tips to guarantee it comes out perfectly bubbly and delicious every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
This isn’t just another baked spaghetti recipe; it’s a culinary masterpiece that feels indulgent yet is surprisingly easy to assemble. It’s a true crowd-pleaser that combines the heartiness of a traditional spaghetti dinner with the decadent richness of a baked pasta dish. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile and perfect for meal prep!
- Unbelievably Flavorful: The combination of a savory meat sauce and a tangy, creamy cheese layer creates a depth of flavor that is simply irresistible.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you need an easy weeknight meal or something to impress guests, this casserole fits the bill.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble it ahead of time and bake when you’re ready, making it a lifesaver for busy days. See our tips below!
What is Million Dollar Spaghetti?
Million Dollar Spaghetti gets its name from its rich, decadent flavor that tastes like a million bucks! The “secret” is the creamy middle layer, typically made from a blend of cream cheese, cottage cheese (or ricotta), and sour cream. This layer is sandwiched between spaghetti tossed in a hearty meat sauce and topped with a generous amount of melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese, creating a truly unforgettable baked pasta dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature rich flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Meat Sauce:
- Ground Beef: We use lean ground beef, but ground Italian sausage or a mix of both would be delicious.
- Onion & Garlic: The essential flavor base for our sauce.
- Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite high-quality jarred sauce to save time.
- Seasoning: Dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
For the Cheese Filling:
- Cream Cheese: The key to the ultra-creamy texture. Make sure it’s softened.
- Cottage Cheese: Adds a classic tangy flavor and moisture. You can also use ricotta.
- Sour Cream: Provides extra creaminess and a slight tang.
For the Casserole:
- Spaghetti: You can’t have spaghetti casserole without it!
- Butter: Tossing the cooked pasta in butter prevents it from clumping and adds flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: For that perfect, gooey, cheesy topping.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor to the topping.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this casserole is as simple as layering three delicious components. Follow these steps for perfect results.
- Preheat & Prep: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to package directions, but for 1-2 minutes less than al dente. It will finish cooking in the oven. Drain the pasta and toss it with butter.
- Make the Meat Sauce: While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion in a large skillet. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic, marinara sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Mix the Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread half of the spaghetti mixture in the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Next, spread the cheese filling evenly over the spaghetti. Top with the remaining spaghetti, followed by the meat sauce.
- Add Topping & Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a golden-brown top, you can broil it for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully.
- Rest & Serve: Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. This helps the layers set for cleaner slices.
Tips for the Best Spaghetti Casserole
Follow these simple tips to take your casserole from great to absolutely spectacular.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Boiling the spaghetti to just under al dente is crucial. It will absorb sauce and continue cooking in the oven, preventing a mushy final result.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. For the best cheese pull, grate a block of mozzarella yourself.
- Let It Rest: This is the hardest part! Letting the casserole sit for at least 10 minutes before serving is essential. It allows the layers to set, so you can serve beautiful, clean slices instead of a messy pile.
Fun Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is a hit, feel free to customize it to your liking!
- Switch up the Meat: Try using a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage for extra flavor, or substitute ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Add Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach can be added to the meat sauce for extra nutrients and flavor.
- Change the Cheeses: Feel free to use provolone instead of mozzarella or add a dollop of ricotta to the cheese filling.
What to Serve with Your Casserole
This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette provides a fresh contrast to the rich casserole. Of course, you can’t go wrong with garlic bread for soaking up any extra sauce. For a vegetable side, these Easy Honey Roasted Carrots are always a family favorite.
Make-Ahead & Storage Instructions
This casserole is a fantastic option for meal planning. Here’s how to do it:
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven straight from the fridge.
- Storing Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes beautifully! Assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold.
This casserole freezes wonderfully. Assemble it in a freezer-safe baking dish, cover tightly with both plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
If you’re not a fan of cottage cheese, you can easily substitute it with the same amount of ricotta cheese. This will result in a slightly different but still delicious and creamy texture for the cheese layer.
This dish is very hearty, so simple sides work best. A fresh green salad, steamed vegetables like broccoli, or classic garlic bread are all excellent choices to serve alongside your Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole.
More Delicious Dinner Recipes
If you loved this easy casserole, you’ll love these other simple and satisfying dinner ideas! Be sure to try our Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole (coming soon), this incredibly simple Dump-and-Bake Chicken and Rice (coming soon), or the fan-favorite Classic Tater Tot Casserole.
The Ultimate Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole (The Ultimate Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted water according to package directions, but cook for 1-2 minutes less than al dente. Drain well and toss with the melted butter.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion, cooking until the beef is browned. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir the marinara sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper into the skillet with the beef. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes for the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream. Mix until smooth.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread half of the buttered spaghetti into the prepared baking dish. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the spaghetti. Top with the remaining spaghetti. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the meat sauce.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden. For a browner top, you can broil for 1-2 minutes, watching it closely.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. This helps the layers set.
Notes
Tip 2: For the creamiest and meltiest cheese topping, buy blocks of cheese and shred them yourself.
Tip 3: Letting the casserole rest before serving is crucial for getting clean, beautiful slices.
Share Your Creation!
We are certain this Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole will become a staple in your home. It’s the perfect blend of easy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious. If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it! Leave a comment below or share a photo of your masterpiece on Pinterest. Your feedback helps our community of home cooks grow!
