Luscious Million-Dollar Spaghetti Recipe: Family’s Cozy Gem

Comfort meets luxury in this incredible million-dollar spaghetti that promises a dinner experience beyond ordinary pasta dishes.

Layers of rich, creamy cheese blend seamlessly with savory meat sauce and tender pasta noodles.

Each forkful delivers a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with remarkable depth.

The secret ingredients elevate this classic dish from simple to spectacular.

Cheese lovers and pasta enthusiasts will find themselves swooning over every delectable bite.

This recipe transforms a traditional meal into a show-stopping centerpiece that feels both indulgent and comforting.

You won’t be able to resist making this crowd-pleasing dish that’s sure to earn rave reviews at your next gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 9

Million-Dollar Spaghetti – What You’ll Need to Make It Rich

• Spaghetti: Classic pasta that provides hearty foundation for casserole, choose high-quality durum wheat variety for best texture.
• Butter: Creates rich, golden layers and adds luxurious moisture to the dish, select unsalted butter for precise flavor control.

• Ground Beef: Delivers robust, meaty flavor and protein, choose lean cuts for healthier option.
• Italian Sausage: Adds depth and spicy undertones to meat sauce, opt for fresh sausage from local butcher if possible.
• Marinara Sauce: Provides tangy, tomato-based foundation, select premium jarred sauce or homemade for enhanced taste.
• Onion: Builds savory base flavor, pick firm, vibrant onions without soft spots.
• Garlic: Enhances overall taste profile with aromatic punch, choose fresh cloves over pre-minced for more intense flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, rich texture for base layer, bring to room temperature for easier mixing.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and helps bind cheese mixture, select full-fat version for better consistency.
• Cottage Cheese: Contributes creamy element and protein, drain excess liquid before mixing.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides melty, stretchy topping, choose fresh variety for best melting properties.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers sharp, salty finish, grate fresh for maximum flavor impact.

Equipment That Helps Layer and Bake with Ease

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning meat and sautéing onions and garlic.
• 9×13 Baking Dish: Perfect for layering and baking the entire casserole.
• Medium Bowl: Used for mixing the creamy cheese layer.
• Colander: Helps drain spaghetti noodles after cooking.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring meat sauce and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Knife: Needed for chopping onions and garlic.
• Cheese Grater: Optional, if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded.

How to Cook Million-Dollar Spaghetti That Feeds a Crowd

• Prepare the Pasta Base

Boil spaghetti in salted water until perfectly tender. Drain and set to the side.

• Brown the Savory Meat Mixture

Sizzle ground beef and sausage in a skillet until richly browned. Drain away extra fat. Toss in diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant. Pour marinara sauce, letting everything simmer and meld together.

• Whip Up the Creamy Cheese Blend

Mix cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese into a silky smooth concoction.

• Layer the Casserole Masterpiece

Warm the oven to 350F. Grease a baking dish and dot with butter slices. Spread half the cooked noodles across the bottom. Generously spread the cheese mixture over the pasta. Top with remaining noodles and butter pieces. Pour meat sauce evenly across the surface. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses for a golden finish.

• Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Cook uncovered for 30-40 minutes until hot and bubbling. Cover with foil if cheese browns too quickly.

• Rest and Serve

Allow the casserole to settle for 10-15 minutes before slicing and enjoying.

Sauce, Cheese, and Seasoning Tricks to Know

• Use slightly undercooked spaghetti since it continues cooking during baking, preventing mushy texture and maintaining delicious al dente consistency.
• Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours before baking, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking and add extra 5-10 minutes to cooking time.
• Replace traditional spaghetti with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour. Ensure all other ingredients like marinara sauce are also gluten-free certified.
• Substitute ground beef and sausage with lean ground turkey or chicken for a lower-fat version without compromising rich, hearty flavor. Choose meat with 93% lean content for best results.
• Replace meat with plant-based alternatives like crumbled mushrooms, lentils, or meat substitute crumbles. Add extra herbs and spices to boost flavor depth and maintain the dish's robust character.

Serving Million-Dollar Spaghetti with Sides and Smiles

• Comfort Food Feast: Perfect for Family Dinners
• Weekend Gathering Centerpiece: Serve this hearty Million-Dollar Spaghetti as a showstopping main dish that brings everyone around the table, creating warm memories and satisfying hungry appetites.
• Gourmet Side Companions: Pair with a crisp caesar salad or roasted garlic bread to complement the rich, cheesy pasta, adding fresh textures and balancing the casserole's indulgent flavors.
• Wine & Dine Pairing: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to enhance the robust meat sauce and creamy cheese layers, elevating the dining experience with sophisticated undertones.
• Leftover Magic: Portion into individual containers for quick lunches or freeze for future meals, ensuring this delicious recipe provides multiple convenient and tasty dining options throughout the week.

Save Leftovers of This Dish for a Second Win

• Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the casserole covered to prevent moisture loss and maintain delicious flavor profiles.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Frozen meals stay delectable for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and taste.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 20-25 minutes. Add a splash of extra marinara sauce to prevent drying out and restore moisture.
• Divide the casserole into single-serving containers before refrigerating. This method makes grab-and-go lunches super easy and helps maintain portion sizes for diet-conscious individuals.

Hearty Million-Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Rich layers of comfort define Million-Dollar Spaghetti, a hearty Italian-American casserole blending creamy cheeses, savory ground beef, and al dente pasta. Melted mozzarella and tangy marinara create pure dinner magic that will satisfy deep comfort food cravings.

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Ingredients

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• 16 ounces spaghetti noodles
• 3 tbsps butter, sliced
• ½ pound ground beef
• ½ pound Italian sausage
• 24 oz marinara sauce (reserve ½ cup for layering)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup cottage cheese (or ricotta)
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ⅔ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil spaghetti in generously salted water until perfectly tender, ensuring an al dente texture. Drain and set aside for layering.
2. Meat Sauce Creation: In a robust skillet, brown ground beef and sausage thoroughly. Eliminate excess fat, then incorporate finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until vegetables become translucent. Integrate marinara sauce, reserving a portion for final drizzling. Allow sauce to simmer and develop rich flavors.
3. Cheese Blend Development: Whisk cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until achieving a silky, uniform consistency. This creamy mixture will serve as a luxurious intermediate layer.
4. Casserole Construction: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Strategically arrange butter slices across the bottom of a greased 9×13 baking dish. Layer half the spaghetti noodles, spread the cheese mixture evenly, then top with remaining noodles and butter. Generously pour meat sauce across the entire surface. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses for a golden, appetizing finish. Optional: Drizzle reserved marinara for additional moisture.
5. Baking Performance: Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes until the casserole becomes effervescent and cheese melts beautifully. Should cheese brown too rapidly, loosely tent with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
6. Serving Presentation: Allow casserole to rest 10-15 minutes, enabling it to set and facilitating cleaner, more attractive serving portions.

Notes

• Select high-quality spaghetti that holds sauce well and maintains texture after baking.
• Drain pasta thoroughly to prevent a watery casserole and ensure a rich, creamy consistency.
• Blend cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until completely smooth to create a luxurious, even layer.
• Brown meat completely and drain excess grease to prevent oily texture and concentrate flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg