Million Dollar Spaghetti

Ever find yourself caught in the dinner rut, cycling through the same recipes over and over? Trust me, I’ve been there. That’s exactly why I fell head over heels for Million Dollar Spaghetti. This dish has layers upon layers of deliciousness, from hearty meat sauce to creamy, cheesy goodness. It’s a comfort food classic that gained fame on the Internet a few years ago. A delicious, hearty, and kid-friendly meal, I have jazzed up the original version a bit and should call this 5 Million Dollar spaghetti!

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I love this Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe. It’s so easy to make, and it is so meaty, cheesy, hearty, and delicious. There’s nothing quite like getting this meal ready for the family and putting it on the table. These days, my teens will put a big dent in this casserole, but there’s usually enough leftover for lunch the next day.

This is a classic pasta casserole. It’s layered with noodles on the bottom, a rich cheesy layer in the middle, and then a saucy beefy layer on top. Oh, and more cheese! There’s cheese in every bite of this terrific dish that’s perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or any time you just want a hearty dinner.

Everything you need is in this ground beef casserole recipe. Serve it with a salad with a great dressing, or opt for a Caesar Salad and voila, dinner is done!

Ingredients

• Uncooked spaghetti
• Ground beef – Either 90/10 or 80/20. Use lean ground beef.
• Mild Italian sausage – Use bulk sausage or remove the casings.
• Yellow onion – Chopped.
• Green bell pepper – Chopped.
• Mushrooms – Quartered.
• Garlic cloves – Chopped.
• Marinara sauce – From a jar or can.
• Italian seasoning
• Cream cheese – Softened.
• Ricotta cheese – Whole fat works best in this recipe.
• Parmesan cheese – Grated.
• Mozzarella cheese – Shredded.

How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti

1. Preheat the oven to 370°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions to al dente. Drain and return the pasta to the pot or transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
3. Brown the ground beef and sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat while the pasta is cooking. Drain the fat if necessary.
4. Add the chopped onion, mushrooms, bell pepper and garlic to the meat mixture and continue to cook until the onion is softened.
5. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of marinara sauce to the meat mixture, add the Italian seasoning and heat through.
6. Add the remaining marinara sauce to the spaghetti and mix well.
7. Transfer the sauced noodles to the prepared baking dish.
8. Stir together the softened cream cheese, ricotta, and parmesan in a small bowl until mixed.
9. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the noodles with an offset spatula.
10. Top the cream cheese layer with the meat sauce and spread it out evenly.
11. Sprinkle the top with mozzarella and bake covered with foil for about 40-45 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes.

Chef Jenn’s Tips

• Use hot Italian sausage if you like a bit of spice to your Million Dollar Spaghetti casserole.
• You can prepare this casserole a day in advance and then just pop it into the oven to bake. Add about 5-10 minutes of baking time if the casserole is fridge-cold before baking.
• Make sure the spaghetti is al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
• A sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley before serving can add a nice touch of freshness.

Recommendations

Make It A Meal

Want to go the extra mile? Serve this delicious pasta bake with a side of garlic bread and a simple green salad with a tasty dressing. Trust me, this is the kind of meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds… or thirds!

Storage

Million Dollar Spaghetti stores exceptionally well. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or if you want to plan ahead, you can freeze the unbaked assembly for up to 2 months. Just remember to thaw it overnight in the fridge before baking. You can even freeze the leftovers. Add them to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to a month.

Step By Step Process