Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a comforting, cheesy baked pasta casserole layered with a savory meat sauce, three kinds of cheese, and tender spaghetti noodles. This hearty dish combines ground beef, Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and a creamy cheese mixture, baked to golden bubbly perfection. Perfect for family dinners or make-ahead meals, it’s rich, satisfying, and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
- 16 ounces spaghetti noodles
- 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
Dairy and Cheese Layer
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
Toppings
- 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 reaches the perfect temperature for baking the spaghetti casserole.
- Make Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage. Season with salt and pepper. Remove most of the grease, then add chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until the onions become translucent. Stir in all but 1/2 cup of marinara sauce and set the meat sauce aside.
- Prepare Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain well, then while still hot, place the noodles in a large mixing bowl. Add butter and the reserved 1/2 cup marinara sauce, tossing gently to combine and melt the butter.
- Make Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese or ricotta until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the buttered spaghetti noodles evenly on the bottom. Top with the cheese layer and smooth it out. Add the remaining noodles on top, then evenly spread the meat sauce over the noodles. Finish by sprinkling shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until hot and bubbly. Check at around 20 minutes; if the cheese is browning too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil. After baking, allow the casserole to rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting to ensure it sets properly.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Prepare the casserole up to the baking step, then cool, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to one day. Alternatively, prep the sauce, noodles, and cheese mixtures separately 1-3 days in advance and assemble just before baking.
- Freezing Instructions: Assemble the casserole but do not bake. Cover well with greased aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw in the refrigerator for 1-2 days and bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncovered for 20-25 minutes. If baking directly from frozen, bake covered for about 40 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 30-40 minutes until bubbly and hot.
- Vegetarian Version: Omit the ground beef and sausage or substitute with plant-based meat alternatives to keep it vegetarian.
- Meat Preferences: Using both ground beef and Italian sausage adds layered flavor, but you can use just one type if preferred. Save any leftover sausage for other dishes like baked ziti or pizza casserole.
- Pasta Choices: While spaghetti is traditional for this recipe, feel free to use your favorite pasta shape if desired.
Keywords: Million Dollar Spaghetti, baked spaghetti casserole, cheesy spaghetti bake, Italian meat sauce, comfort food pasta, spaghetti casserole recipe