million dollar spaghetti
Million Dollar Spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food casserole that lives up to its wealthy name. This indulgent pasta bake transforms ordinary spaghetti into a luxurious, crowd-pleasing dish that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The magic happens when layers of al dente pasta, seasoned ground beef, creamy cheeses, and rich marinara sauce meld together during baking. The bottom layer forms a delicate pasta crust, while the center remains creamy and cheesy. A golden, bubbly top layer of melted cheese creates an irresistible finishing touch that will have everyone asking for seconds.
What makes this casserole(million dollar spaghetti) truly special is the hidden layer of cream cheese mixture that melts into a velvety sauce throughout the dish, adding that “million dollar” richness. The combination of cottage cheese and cream cheese creates a silky texture, while the blend of Italian herbs and garlic infuses every bite with aromatic flavor. This million dollar spaghetti strikes the perfect balance between the heartiness of a traditional meat sauce and the creamy indulgence of a baked pasta dish.
Million Dollar Spaghetti originated as a potluck favorite and has since become a beloved family dinner staple across America. It’s ideal for feeding a crowd, making ahead for busy weeknights, or impressing guests at gatherings. The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility—you can customize the ingredients while maintaining that signature creamy, cheesy character. Whether served with garlic bread, a crisp salad, or on its own, this casserole delivers restaurant-quality flavor with home-cooked comfort.
📌 Number of Servings: 8-10 servings
⏳ Preparation Time: 30 minutes
🔥 Cooking Time: 45 minutes
🥢 Ingredients :
For the Pasta Layer:
✅ 16 oz (1 lb) spaghetti
✅ 1 teaspoon salt (for pasta water)
For the Meat Sauce:
✅ 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
✅ 1 large onion, finely diced
✅ 4 garlic cloves, minced
✅ 2 jars (24 oz each) marinara sauce
✅ 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
✅ 1 teaspoon dried basil
✅ 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
✅ Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Cheese Mixture:
✅ 8 oz cream cheese, softened
✅ 16 oz cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese)
✅ 1/4 cup sour cream
✅1 teaspoon garlic powder
✅ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
✅ 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
For Assembly:
✅1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, sliced
✅ 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
✅ 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
👨🍳 Instructions :
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt, and cook spaghetti until just al dente (about 2 minutes less than package directions). Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the meat sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces. Introduce the diced onion to the hot pan, stirring occasionally until they turn translucent and tender, approximately 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Season the meat: Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper to the meat mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Make the cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, dried oregano, and chopped parsley. Mix until well combined and creamy.
- Begin assembly: Place half of the cooked spaghetti in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange the butter slices evenly over the pasta.
- Layer the cheese mixture: Spread the cream cheese mixture over the spaghetti and butter layer.
- Add remaining pasta: Place the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese mixture.
- Add the meat sauce: Pour the meat sauce evenly over the top layer of spaghetti.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the meat sauce.
- Begin the baking process: Shield your casserole with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, allowing the layers to heat through evenly.
- Allow flavors to settle: Give your masterpiece 10 minutes to rest after removing from the oven, then finish with a sprinkle of reserved Parmesan and bright fresh parsley for the perfect presentation.
💡 TIPS :
- For make-ahead preparation: Assemble the casserole, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
- Pasta texture: Cook the pasta slightly underdone as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Cheese variations: For extra richness, add provolone or fontina cheese to the topping.
- Meat options: Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for part or all of the ground beef.
- Vegetable boost: Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the meat sauce for added nutrition.
- Serving suggestion: Let the casserole rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting to allow it to set properly.
📊Nutrition Information (per serving, based on 10 servings)
- Calories: 720
- Total Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 48g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 39g
❓ million dollar spaghetti (FAQ) :
- Why is it called Million Dollar Spaghetti? The name comes from the rich, luxurious taste that makes it seem like a million bucks. The combination of multiple cheeses and layers creates an indulgent dish that’s worth every penny.
- Is Million Dollar Spaghetti suitable for meal prep the day before serving?
Yes! You can assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover it, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake it for an additional 10-15 minutes since it will be cold from the refrigerator. - Can I freeze Million Dollar Spaghetti? Absolutely. Assemble the casserole, cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed, adding 15-20 minutes to the baking time.
- Can I substitute cottage cheese with ricotta? Yes, ricotta makes an excellent substitute for cottage cheese and will give the dish a slightly different but equally delicious texture.
- What can I serve with Million Dollar Spaghetti? Garlic bread, a green salad, roasted vegetables, or a simple Caesar salad all pair wonderfully with this hearty casserole.
- Can I use a different pasta shape? While traditional spaghetti gives this dish its classic appeal, you can substitute other pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or ziti. Just be sure to cook them al dente.
- How can I make this million dollar spaghetti less rich? You can use reduced-fat cream cheese, cottage cheese, and lean ground beef (90/10). You can also reduce the amount of butter and cheese on top.
- Why does my casserole seem watery after baking? This typically happens when the pasta wasn’t drained well or the cottage cheese was too wet. Make sure to drain pasta thoroughly and consider straining cottage cheese if it seems very watery.
- Can I make this million dollar spaghetti vegetarian? Yes, substitute the ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives, lentils, or a mixture of sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini.
- How do I know when the casserole is done baking? The casserole is done when the edges are bubbling, the cheese on top is melted and golden brown, and a knife inserted in the center comes out hot to the touch.
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