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Million Dollar Spaghetti has been one of my go-to comfort meals for years. It’s layered with tender noodles, a creamy cheese layer, rich meat sauce, and plenty of melty mozzarella on top. It feels a little indulgent, but it comes together with simple ingredients I almost always have on hand. If you’re craving something cozy and cheesy, this one’s a must.
Easy Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
This is probably my favorite no-fuss pasta casserole, plus it’s a fun way to eat spaghetti. I’ll make it when I need to feed a crowd, and it always gets rave reviews around the table. I love using ground beef, but this is such a versatile recipe that you can use whatever you’d like. The combination of cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream makes it extra creamy and rich, like a cross between baked ziti and lasagna. I love pulling this out for Sunday dinner, casual get-togethers, or when I just want leftovers. Kids and adults alike love it.
Tips for Beginners
- Bring cream cheese to room temp. Let the cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smooth, lump-free cheese layer that spreads easily.
- Boil spaghetti just until al dente. It will continue cooking in the oven, so this prevents mushy noodles.
- Spread meat sauce and cheese mixture. Spread it all the way to the edges of the casserole dish for even flavor in every bite.
- Let casserole sit after baking. Let the baked casserole sit for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set and makes for cleaner servings.
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 lb. spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb. ground beef*
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning**
- 1 jar 24 oz. marinara sauce***
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Boil the spaghetti to al dente according to package directions. Drain. Then, add to the bottom of a greased 9×13 casserole dish.1 lb. spaghetti noodles
- Add the ground beef to a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the salt and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned. Drain excess liquid from the pan.1 lb. ground beef*, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp Italian seasoning**
- Pour ½ cup of the marinara sauce over the spaghetti in the casserole dish. Use tongs to gently toss the noodles in the sauce.1 jar
- Add the remaining marinara sauce to the meat. Simmer on low for a few minutes.1 jar
- In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and Parmesan until smooth.8 oz. cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Spread the meat sauce over the spaghetti.
- Then, add dollops of the cheese mixture over the meat sauce. Use a spatula to spread it out over the top.
- Top with mozzarella cheese.2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly. Let the dish sit for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti Step by Step
Gather the ingredients: Gather all the ingredients together and preheat your oven to 375°F. Boil 1 lb. of spaghetti noodles until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain the noodles well, then place them at the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Pour ½ cup of the 24-oz. jar of marinara sauce over the cooked spaghetti in the casserole dish. Use tongs to gently toss the noodles so they’re lightly coated in the sauce.
Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 lb. of ground beef. Stir in ½ tsp of salt and ½ tsp of Italian seasoning. Cook until the beef is fully browned, then drain any excess liquid from the pan.
Simmer the meat sauce: Add the remaining marinara sauce (about 1½ cups) to the browned beef. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
Make the cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, mix together 8 oz. of softened cream cheese, ½ cup of sour cream, 1 cup of cottage cheese, and 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and well combined.
Assemble the casserole: Spread the meat sauce evenly over the spaghetti in the casserole dish.
Add the cheese mixture: Then drop spoonfuls of the cheese mixture over the meat sauce and use a spatula to spread it evenly across the top.
Sprinkle with cheese: Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake and rest: Bake the casserole uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Serve and enjoy: Serve up hot with some crusty bread. Enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat
To store leftovers, keep the casserole covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Be sure to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. To reheat, cover the dish with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for 20–30 minutes, or until heated through.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this with a big green salad and some warm garlic bread to soak up all that creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own, but sometimes I’ll add roasted veggies or a simple side of air fryer broccoli to round things out. This is one of those dishes that feels just as perfect for a cozy Sunday dinner as it does for a casual weeknight meal.
This was a very easy dish to make and we had no left-overs. I don’t bake as it never comes out right. This is the first time it worked. Thank-you for this
Thanks Ronald!