Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a creamy, cheesy baked spaghetti recipe made with ground beef, marinara sauce, cream cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. This easy spaghetti casserole is the perfect family-friendly comfort food for dinner.

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is the ultimate cheesy comfort food! Spaghetti is tossed with a rich meat sauce, layered with a creamy cheese filling, and baked until bubbly, golden, and irresistibly delicious. It’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or when you’re craving a hearty pasta bake.

Ingredients

• 16 oz spaghetti

• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage

• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup ricotta cheese

• ½ cup sour cream

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 small onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Make the meat sauce: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.

3. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

4. Pour in the marinara sauce and add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for about 5–10 minutes.

5. Make the creamy filling: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, ½ cup mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy.

6. Assemble the casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

7. Spread a small amount of meat sauce over the bottom of the dish. Add half of the cooked spaghetti, followed by the creamy cheese mixture. Spread evenly.

8. Add the remaining spaghetti and pour the remaining meat sauce over the top.

9. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole.

10. Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.

11. Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Recipe Tips

• Cook the spaghetti just until al dente so it doesn't become mushy while baking.

• You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage for extra flavor.

• For an extra cheesy casserole, add a little shredded provolone or cheddar to the cheese layer.

• Letting the casserole rest before serving makes it easier to cut into neat portions.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the casserole in the oven until warmed through.

Freezing

Assemble the casserole without baking, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a creamy, cheesy baked spaghetti recipe made with ground beef, marinara sauce, cream cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. This easy spaghetti casserole is the perfect family-friendly comfort food for dinner.

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