Million Dollar Spaghetti

Name: Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 16 ounces dried spaghetti; ½ cup butter, (cut in half and cut into slices); 48 ounces spaghetti sauce ((two 24-ounce jars), divided in half); 1 pound ground beef; 1 pound Italian sausage; 1 medium onion, (diced (or ½ cup)); 3 to 4 cloves garlic, (minced); 1 cup cottage cheese; 8 ounces cream cheese, (softened); ¼ cup sour cream; 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, (divided in half); chopped parsley, (for optional garnish)

This million dollar spaghetti is filled with layers of spaghetti noodles, ooey-gooey melted cheese, and meat sauce.

Jump to Recipe

Prep Time15

Cook Time1

Total Time1 15

Servings

Table of Contents

What Is Million Dollar Spaghetti?
Million Dollar Spaghetti Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti
How To Serve Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti Storage
Million-Dollar Spaghetti FAQ
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The best way to describe million dollar spaghetti is that it combines spaghetti and lasagna into one epic casserole. It’s loaded with layers of spaghetti noodles arranged in layers with cheese and hearty meat sauce for the ultimate comfort food.

close up shot of a baking dish full of Million Dollar Spaghetti

What Is Million Dollar Spaghetti?

Million dollar spaghetti takes everyone’s favorite pasta dish and makes it even more delicious by baking it into a casserole and adding extra creamy and rich ingredients, including cream cheese, cottage cheese, and plenty of gooey cheese.

Million Dollar Spaghetti Ingredients

Million Dollar Spaghetti raw ingredients that are labeled

With its mouth-watering layers of rich tomato sauce, creamy cheese, tender pasta, and juicy ground beef, it’s no wonder this dish has become a crowd favorite. The flavors blend together beautifully, making every spoonful absolutely delicious.

You’ll need:

16 ounces of uncooked spaghetti noodles
½ cup of butter, cut in half and sliced thinly
2 (24-ounce) jars of spaghetti sauce, divided in half
1 pound of ground beef
1 pound of Italian sausage
1 medium onion, diced
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup of cottage cheese
8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
¼ cup of sour cream
3 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, divided in half
Optional: parsley for garnish

PRO TIP:

If you are choosing to use a different sauce or a ready-made sauce you can skip this step.

Substitutions And Additions

MEAT: This recipe uses ground beef and Italian sausage. But if you’re partial to one, you can use 2 pounds of your preferred meat.

CHEESE: To make this recipe without cottage cheese, substitute 1 cup of ricotta cheese.

NOODLES: Mix it up and use your favorite noodles in this recipe. Instead of spaghetti noodles, you can use medium-sized pasta like elbow macaroni or ziti.

SAUCE: We love making this recipe with homemade tomato sauce. Keep a batch on hand and use it in recipes like this one. Here’s how to make homemade tomato sauce.

How To Make Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti

Once all the components are prepared, you will assemble them in a baking dish and pop it in the oven so that the cheese gets all melty and bubbly. Let’s get started.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

This recipe is arguably even better as leftovers. Try making two at a time and freezing one for a day when you won’t have time to cook dinner.

STEP ONE: In a large pot, cook the spaghetti to al dente according to package directions (about 8 minutes). Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Stir 4 tablespoons of sliced butter into the hot spaghetti.

cooked spaghetti in a pot with slices of butter

STEP TWO: Add 1 jar of spaghetti sauce to the cooked noodles until they are coated. Set aside.

pasta sauce added to the cooked spaghetti

STEP THREE: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion. Add the cloves of garlic and cook for one minute more. Drain any extra grease. Pour the remaining jar of spaghetti sauce into the meat mixture and stir. Set this aside as well.

cooked ground meat in a pot with garlic, onions, and spaghetti sauce

STEP FOUR: In a medium-sized bowl, combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and 1½ cups of mozzarella cheese.

cheeses, cream cheese, and sour cream combined in a bowl

STEP FIVE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9×13-inch casserole dish (or 10 x 14-inch lasagna pan) and add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter to the bottom.

butter slices placed in the bottom of the pan

STEP SIX: Next, you will create the layers of noodles, pasta sauce, and shredded cheese.

STEP SEVEN: Spread half of the spaghetti noodles in the bottom of the pan.

spaghetti noodles placed at the bottom of the pan

STEP EIGHT: Then spread the cheese mixture over top of the noodles.

cheese mixture spread over the spaghetti noodles

STEP NINE: Place the remaining spaghetti noodles over the cheese mixture.

spaghetti noodles spread over the cream mixture

STEP TEN: Pour the meat sauce onto the top of the spaghetti noodles.

STEP ELEVEN: Top with the remaining 1½ cups of mozzarella cheese.

mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top of the meat sauce

STEP TWELVE: Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the cheese is melted and barely golden brown. Let it sit for 5 to 10 so that it’s easier to cut when serving. Allowing it to cool will make it easier to slice. One of the best parts of making million-dollar spaghetti is getting to slice it and see all of the amazing layers of cheese and noodles.

PRO TIP:

Around the 30-minute mark, check to make sure your casserole isn’t overcooking. You’ll know it’s time to take it out of the oven when the edges are slightly brown and the cheese is melted. Look for bubbles in the gooey goodness of the cheese.

spaghetti after being baked in a baking dish

How To Serve Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Sprinkle a little bit of parmesan cheese on top of your million dollar casserole and add garlic bread or cheesy pull-apart bread along with a Caesar salad, and you will have a hearty and filling meal.

If you are looking for a few more veggies, a tomato cucumber salad or roasted vegetables would be excellent side dish choices.

You can never have enough casserole recipes, and this one tops our list, along with Doritos casserole and Mexican casserole.

MORE SPAGHETTI RECIPES

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Mexican Spaghetti Recipe

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Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti Storage

Whether you want to make it ahead of time or save some for later, here are some tips to ensure your million dollar spaghetti stays fresh and delicious.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning to make million dollar spaghetti ahead of time, you can assemble the dish completely and refrigerate it before baking. Simply follow the recipe instructions up until the baking step, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and store it in the refrigerator.

When you’re ready to enjoy it, remove the cover and bake it according to the recipe instructions.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers of this pasta casserole for up to three days in the fridge in an airtight container.

IN THE FREEZER: Million dollar spaghetti is easy to freeze. Store it in an airtight container or cover it in foil and freeze for up to 3 months.

REHEATING: When you’re ready to eat your casserole, bake it for an hour or defrost it in the fridge overnight and bake for 45 minutes. Keep an eye out for browned edges and melted cheese to know when it’s done.

a slice of spaghetti topped with parsley on a plate

This million dollar spaghetti casserole is a family favorite that’s a simple, budget-friendly dinner idea. Save this recipe for the next time you need to cook for a crowd or are craving a twist on classic spaghetti.

Million-Dollar Spaghetti FAQ

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can assemble this dish up to 24 hours ahead of time. Cover and store in the fridge. Allow it to sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes before you bake it.

Can I use different ground meat instead of beef and sausage?

Any ground meat or combination of ground meat will work well in the recipe.

Can I freeze this dish unbaked?

This dish can be frozen and baked later. It will keep in the freezer for up to three months covered in aluminum foil. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake it when you are ready to enjoy this meal.

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Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

5 from 6 votes

This million dollar spaghetti is filled with layers of spaghetti noodles, ooey-gooey melted cheese, and meat sauce.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Ingredients

16 ounces dried spaghetti
½ cup butter, cut in half and cut into slices
48 ounces spaghetti sauce (two 24-ounce jars), divided in half
1 pound ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage
1 medium onion, diced (or ½ cup)
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cottage cheese
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ cup sour cream
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided in half
chopped parsley, for optional garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook the spaghetti per package directions to al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain and return to the pot. Stir 4 tablespoons of sliced butter into the hot spaghetti.
Stir one jar of the spaghetti sauce into the cooked noodles. Set aside.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, and onions. Add the garlic and cook one more minute. Drain any extra grease. Pour the remaining jar of spaghetti sauce into the meat mixture. Set aside.
In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
In a deep dish 9×13-inch casserole dish (or a 10×14-inch lasagna pan), place the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter slices into the bottom of the pan.
Spread half of the spaghetti noodles in the bottom of the pan.
Spread the cheese mixture over the noodles.
Place the remaining spaghetti noodles over the cheese mixture.
Pour the meat sauce on top of this layer of spaghetti.
Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups of mozzarella cheese on top of the casserole.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Let the casserole sit 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

If you want more of a cheese filling, the cheese components could easily be doubled in this recipe.
This recipe is arguably even better as leftovers. Try making two at a time and freezing one for a day when you won’t have time to cook dinner.
Around the 30-minute mark, check to make sure your casserole isn’t overcooking. You’ll know it’s time to take it out of the oven when the edges are slightly brown and the cheese is melted. Look for bubbles in the gooey goodness of the cheese.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant

Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti