Creamy Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

Million Dollar Spaghetti is about to earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation. This cozy pasta bake is layered with tender noodles, rich meat sauce, and ultra-creamy cheese, all baked together into one comforting spaghetti casserole that’s made to please a crowd. It’s the kind of meal that feels familiar, filling, and downright irresistible.

What makes this baked spaghetti so special is how it combines the best parts of two classics. You get the twirlable comfort of spaghetti with the rich, layered goodness of lasagna, all in one simple dish. It’s family-friendly, budget-friendly, and perfect for those nights when you want something hearty without overthinking dinner.

The creamy layer is where the magic really happens. Cream cheese blended with ricotta creates a smooth, flavorful base that melts beautifully into the pasta. Paired with a savory meat sauce and finished with a generous layer of melted cheese on top, this dish truly lives up to its “million dollar” name.

The prep is refreshingly straightforward. You’re working with three main components for the layers: cooked ground meat, pasta, and the cheese mixture. The sauce pulls everything together, getting mixed into both the meat and the noodles so every bite is packed with flavor from top to bottom.

This recipe is also incredibly flexible, which makes it even more appealing. Ground beef works great, but you can easily swap in Italian sausage, ground chicken, pork, or turkey. Mixing meats—like beef and sausage or beef and pork—adds extra depth and richness if you want to take it up a notch.

Cheese lovers can have some fun here too. Grated Parmesan can be sprinkled on top or stirred into the ricotta mixture for extra flavor. Cottage cheese works as a ricotta substitute, and adding cheddar alongside the mozzarella brings a sharper, more indulgent twist.

And while spaghetti is the classic choice, it’s not your only option. Ziti, penne, or rigatoni all work beautifully and hold the layers just as well. No matter how you customize it, this Million Dollar Spaghetti is one of those reliable, comforting dishes that everyone goes back for seconds.

Creamy Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

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This Creamy Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe has tons of Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and an irresistible cheese filling. This casserole is simple and a delicious way to feed a family or a crowd! It’s budget friendly, easy to make, and a meal the whole family will love.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely diced onions
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning divided
• 3 cups Marinara sauce divided
• 1 pound Spaghetti noodles
• Kosher salt to taste (for the pasta water)
• 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 3 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as it browns, until fully cooked.
3. Drain excess grease from the beef and return it to the pan. Stir in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and 2 cups marinara sauce. Set aside.
4. While the beef is cooking, boil the spaghetti in well-salted water for 3 minutes less than the al dente time listed on the package. Drain and return the pasta to the pot. Toss with 1 cup marinara sauce until evenly coated. Set aside.
5. In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, garlic powder, and remaining 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning until smooth.
6. Assemble the casserole: Spread half of the spaghetti evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spoon the cheese mixture over the pasta and spread evenly. Layer the remaining spaghetti on top. Finish by spreading the beef and sauce mixture evenly over the pasta, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
7. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden. For a deeper golden top, broil for 2–3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
8. Serve hot and enjoy.

Notes

• Make Ahead:
  You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Once assembled, let it cool, then cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove it from the fridge and let it sit on the counter while the oven preheats.
• Storage:
  Leftovers will keep for up to 3 days. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator and reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in the oven.
• Freezer:
  Freezing after baking is not recommended, but this recipe works great as a make-ahead freezer meal. Assemble the spaghetti casserole in a disposable foil pan, cover tightly, and freeze unbaked for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed.

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