Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and creamy baked spaghetti casserole featuring layers of tender spaghetti noodles, savory meat sauce made with ground beef and Italian sausage, and a luscious blend of cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and mozzarella. Topped with parmesan cheese and baked until bubbly and golden, this comforting dish is perfect for family dinners and make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 ounces spaghetti noodles
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup reserved marinara sauce (from below)
Meat Sauce
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage or pork sausage
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
Topping Cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready when assembling the casserole.
- Make Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, cook and crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat; season with salt and pepper to taste. Once browned, remove most of the grease. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking for a few minutes until the onions turn translucent. Stir in all but 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce and combine well. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Noodles: Cook spaghetti according to the package instructions until just al dente. Drain well, then place the hot noodles in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and the reserved 1/2 cup marinara sauce, tossing to coat the noodles thoroughly.
- Make Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese (or ricotta). Mix well until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta evenly on the bottom. Layer the cheese mixture over the pasta, smoothing it out. Add the remaining pasta on top of the cheese layer. Spread the meat sauce evenly on top of the final pasta layer and smooth it out. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the dish is hot and bubbly. Check after about 20 minutes and if the cheese begins to brown too quickly, tent lightly with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for at least 15 minutes to set before cutting and serving. Enjoy your Million Dollar Spaghetti!
Notes
- To Make Ahead: You can prepare the casserole up to the assembly step (before baking) and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Alternatively, prepare the sauce, noodles, and cheese layer separately 1 to 3 days ahead and assemble just before baking.
- To Freeze: Assemble the casserole and cover it tightly with greased aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days before baking. Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly. If baking from frozen, bake covered for 40 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 30-40 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the meat or substitute plant-based meat to make a vegetarian version of Million Dollar Spaghetti.
- Ground Beef vs. Sausage: The combination of ground beef and Italian sausage adds depth to the flavor, but you can use just one type if preferred. Leftover Italian sausage can be used in other recipes like baked ziti or pizza casserole.
- Pasta Choice: Spaghetti is traditional here, but feel free to use your favorite pasta shape according to preference.
Keywords: Million Dollar Spaghetti, baked spaghetti casserole, creamy spaghetti, Italian sausage, ground beef pasta bake, cheesy pasta casserole