💰 Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe 😋
Rich, Creamy, and Cheesy — Every Bite Feels Like You Hit the Jackpot!
Million Dollar Spaghetti combines everything you love about lasagna and baked ziti into one irresistible, comfort-loaded casserole. With layers of perfectly cooked spaghetti, hearty meat sauce, and a creamy cheese filling, it’s a dish that feels fancy — but is incredibly easy to make. The name says it all: every bite is rich, satisfying, and worth its weight in gold!
Whether you’re cooking for a Sunday family dinner, a cozy date night, or meal prepping for the week, this baked pasta dish delivers big on flavor with minimal effort.
🧾 Ingredients for Million Dollar Spaghetti
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this ultimate comfort food. Most ingredients are pantry or fridge staples — making it perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner.
🍝 For the Pasta:
- 1 lb spaghetti – Cooked al dente
- Salted water – For boiling pasta
🥩 For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef – You can sub with Italian sausage or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, finely chopped – Adds sweetness and depth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced – For bold, aromatic flavor
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes – The base of the sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning – Optional, for added flavor
- Salt and pepper, to taste
🧀 For the Creamy Cheese Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
🧈 For Layering:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, sliced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, for the final topping
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s break it down into simple, doable steps so you can create this rich, layered dish at home like a pro.
✅ Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound of spaghetti and cook until just al dente (firm to the bite), about 1–2 minutes less than package directions.
Drain the spaghetti, then toss it with sliced butter while still hot. Set aside.
💡 Why butter? It keeps the pasta from drying out and adds flavor to every layer.
✅ Step 2: Prepare the Meat Sauce
In a large skillet or saucepan, cook 1 pound ground beef over medium heat until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Add the finely chopped onion and cook for another 3–4 minutes until softened.
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and let the sauce simmer for 10–15 minutes until thickened.
🧄 Optional: Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick or a pinch of sugar to balance the tomato acidity.
✅ Step 3: Make the Creamy Cheese Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Mix until smooth and well combined. This is your “million dollar” layer — rich, creamy, and luxurious.
🧀 Pro Tip: Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature for easier mixing.
✅ Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Now it’s time to layer!
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish (or similar size).
- Bottom Layer: Add half of the buttered spaghetti and spread it evenly.
- Creamy Layer: Spread all of the cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Middle Layer: Top with the remaining spaghetti.
- Meat Sauce: Pour all of the meat sauce over the top and spread evenly.
- Cheese Topping: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and cheddar cheese.
🧡 Make it extra cheesy? Add another layer of mozzarella on top of the cheddar.
✅ Step 5: Bake!
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Uncover and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps it firm up and makes serving much easier.
🥗 What to Serve With Million Dollar Spaghetti
This rich and cheesy dish pairs well with lighter, fresh sides:
- Garlic bread or breadsticks
- Caesar salad or mixed greens with vinaigrette
- Steamed broccoli, roasted zucchini, or green beans
- A glass of red wine or sparkling lemonade
🧊 Make Ahead & Freezer Tips
Million Dollar Spaghetti is make-ahead friendly and perfect for freezing.
🧊 To Make Ahead:
- Assemble the full dish (unbaked), cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- When ready to bake, allow it to sit at room temp for 20 minutes before putting it in the oven.
🧊 To Freeze:
- Wrap the assembled (unbaked) casserole in plastic wrap and foil.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Bake straight from frozen at 350°F for 60–75 minutes, covered (remove foil last 15 mins).
🍽️ Leftovers & Reheating
Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3–4 days.
Reheat in the oven at 325°F until warmed through, or microwave single servings for 1–2 minutes.
🧄 Pro Tip: Add a splash of water or sauce before reheating to keep it moist.
📋 Printable Recipe Card
### Million Dollar Spaghetti
**Ingredients:**
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup butter, sliced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
**Instructions:**
1. Cook spaghetti al dente, toss with butter.
2. Brown beef with onion and garlic. Add tomatoes & simmer.
3. Mix cheeses and sour cream in a bowl.
4. In a baking dish: layer half spaghetti, cheese mix, rest of spaghetti, meat sauce, and cheese.
5. Cover and bake at 350°F for 30 mins, uncover and bake 10–15 mins more. Rest before serving.
💡 Million Dollar Tips & Variations
- Swap the meat: Use Italian sausage, turkey, or a meatless alternative.
- Add veggies: Mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini can be layered in with the cheese or sauce.
- Spice it up: Stir in chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the meat sauce.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free spaghetti and double-check your tomato sauce.
❤️ Final Thoughts
Million Dollar Spaghetti isn’t just a recipe — it’s a warm, comforting hug in casserole form. The creamy cheese layer is what takes it over the top, making it an irresistible dish that’s perfect for celebrations, weeknight dinners, or cozy Sunday meals.
Serve it once, and chances are it’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation.