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If you love creamy, cheesy pasta dishes that make everyone beg for seconds, this Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe is for you. Layers of tender spaghetti, savory ground beef, rich cream cheese, and gooey melted cheese make this million dollar spaghetti casserole a cozy, crowd-pleasing favorite. It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings.
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If you love pasta but secretly think traditional spaghetti is a tad bland, lend me your ears.
There is another way to eat everyone’s favorite pasta dish, and it’s even better than the classic recipe. It’s called Million Dollar Spaghetti.
This million dollar spaghetti recipe is everything you know about spaghetti night, but it’s stuffed with cream cheese and cottage cheese for a center so creamy and melt in your mouth, you’ll forget all about sad, traditional spaghetti.
“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with regular spaghetti. It’s my favorite,” you say.
Fair enough. Spaghetti isn’t so bad. But this is better, and I’m fairly certain you’re going to agree with me.
I’m a low-key expert on what people like because my husband has very strong opinions about food. His opinion about this million dollar spaghetti recipe is positive. So positive that, when we’re hosting family and friends, he says, “How about million dollar spaghetti casserole?”
Happy to oblige, we’ve fed this dish to many a different person with nary a complaint. So, if that’s the kind of recipe you’d like to have in your pocket, read on!
Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
- Layers of tender spaghetti, savory ground beef, creamy cheeses, and rich tomato sauce make this casserole irresistible, even to picky eaters!
- The combination of cream cheese and cottage cheese gives a silky, luxurious texture that melts in your mouth.
- It’s a family-friendly dish everyone will beg for seconds of, perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or holidays.
- Easy to prep ahead and bake when you’re ready, making it convenient for busy schedules.
- Customizable with extra veggies, spices, or different cheeses to suit your taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need for million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
- Dried spaghetti – Al dente pasta forms the base for this casserole.
- Ground beef – Adds savory richness to the layers.
- Crushed tomatoes – The main component of the sauce, providing tangy flavor.
- Tomato paste – Thickens the sauce and deepens flavor.
- Cream cheese – Adds creaminess to the middle layer.
- Cottage cheese – Provides a soft, custardy texture in the center.
- Shredded cheese – Mozzarella or a blend, melted on top for a golden finish.
- Seasonings: oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, sugar – for a balanced, savory sauce.
How to Make This Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
Step 1: Make the Sauce. Brown 1 pound of ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat if needed. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and a pinch of sugar. Stir to combine, then simmer for 10–15 minutes.
Step 2: Cook the Spaghetti. Cook 1 pound of spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss with a few spoonfuls of sauce so the noodles don’t stick together. Set aside.
Step 3: Assemble the first layer. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the spaghetti evenly on the bottom of the dish. Pour half of the remaining sauce over the spaghetti layer.
Step 4: Add the creamy middle layer. Spread cream cheese evenly over the sauce layer. Layer cottage cheese on top of the cream cheese.
Step 5: Add the top layer. Add the remaining spaghetti noodles on top of the cheese layer. Pour the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle 1–2 cups of shredded cheese evenly.
Step 6:Bake the spaghetti. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Step 7: Enjoy! Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
- Don’t overcook spaghetti; slightly firm noodles hold up better during baking.
- Let the cream cheese soften before spreading for easy layering.
- Reserve a small amount of sauce to toss with noodles so they don’t stick.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of crushed red pepper or garlic to the sauce.
Variations & Add-Ins to try
- Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for extra veggies.
- Swap the beef for ground turkey or sausage.
- Use different cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend.
- Make it spicy by adding crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Instructions
- For easy dinner prep, assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes to restore creaminess and warmth.
- Freeze fully baked or unbaked casserole for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge before baking.
What to Serve With Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Sourdough French Bread
- Side salads (Caesar, green salad, or arugula)
- Garlic bread or soft dinner rolls
- Roasted or steamed vegetables
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use a different pasta?
Yes, penne or rigatoni works well, though it changes the texture slightly.
Can I make this Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe vegetarian?
Yes, skip the beef and use extra veggies and vegetable broth in the sauce.
How do I make it extra cheesy?
For an extra cheesy million dollar spaghetti recipe, add more shredded cheese between layers or on top before baking.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes, but use a larger baking dish or two separate 9×13-inch pans.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz dried spaghetti noodles
For the sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp sugar
For the filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature (for easy spreading)
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, ect.)
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat if necessary. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and sugar. Stir to combine, then simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Boil 1 pound of spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving a small amount of pasta water if needed (to loosen the sauce if it's too thick). Toss the noodles with a few spoonfuls of sauce so they don’t stick together.
Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Assemble the First Layer: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the spaghetti evenly in the bottom of the dish. Pour half of the remaining sauce over the noodles.
- Add the Creamy Middle Layer: Spread the cream cheese evenly over the noodles and sauce. Layer cottage cheese on top of the cream cheese.
- Add the Top Layer: Top the cheese layer with the remaining spaghetti noodles. Pour the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
This Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe is your new Secret Weapon
Everyone needs a secret weapon when it comes to food. One that you can whip out at a moment’s notice for taking to a sick friend or feeding a crowd. This million dollar spaghetti casserole is mine, and I have a feeling it’s going to be yours, too. You can whip it up in just a few minutes, stuff it with cheese, and you’ll be on your way to a dinner no on can argue with.
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