Million Dollar Spaghetti
Million dollar spaghetti is full of meat, noodles, and lots of cheese! It’s the perfect comfort food that is easy to make and delicious!
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Million Dollar Spaghetti is like a mashup of lasagna and spaghetti – filled with a meaty tomato sauce, cheese, and spaghetti noodles.
It’s great for weeknights and the perfect dish for feeding a crowd or bringing to a potluck.
Ingredients
Spaghetti: Spaghetti noodles are perfect for using in this dish.
Ground beef: You can also substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Marinara sauce: Choose a good-quality jarred marinara sauce, or use homemade if you have the time.
Seasonings & Spices: Use garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, plus slat and pepper.
Cream cheese: Make sure to pull out of the fridge beforehand to allow time to soften. Make sure it’s fully softened for easy mixing.
Ricotta or cottage cheese: Ricotta gives a smoother texture, while cottage cheese adds a bit more texture to the dish. Both work well, so pick whichever you prefer.
Sour cream: We like using full-fat sour cream, but you can use light sour cream if you prefer.
Cheese: Use shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese.
Butter: Butter is dotted on top to help the dish get golden and bubbly while baking.
How to Make
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks.
Drain any excess grease from the beef and stir in the marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, ricotta, and sour cream until smooth and well combined.
Spread half of the cooked spaghetti in the prepared baking dish, then top it with the cheese mixture, spreading it evenly.
Add the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese layer, followed by the meat sauce, spreading it evenly.
Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top, then dot with pieces of butter.
Bake the dish uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and golden.
Let the spaghetti rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Tips & Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for making this million dollar spaghetti:
Substitute ground beef: You can use ground turkey, chicken, or even Italian sausage for a different flavor.
Prep ingredients ahead of time: Cook the spaghetti and brown the beef the night before to cut down on prep time.
Don’t skip the rest time: Let the spaghetti sit for 10 minutes after baking to set and make serving easier.
Leftovers/Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
You can reheat in the microwave or oven. Make sure to cover with foil in the oven to prevent it from drying out.
What to Serve with Million Dollar Spaghetti
Here are some of our favorites to serve with Million Dollar Spaghetti:
Garlic bread: Crispy, buttery garlic bread is the perfect side to soak up all the cheesy sauce.
Side salad: A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette.
Roasted vegetables: Roasted broccoli or zucchini adds a light, healthy side.
Caesar salad: A classic Caesar salad is perfect for this dish.
Steamed asparagus: Tender asparagus with a squeeze of lemon is a fresh and simple side dish.
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti noodles
- 1 pound ground beef
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons butter cut into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.12 ounces spaghetti noodles
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess grease.1 pound ground beef
- Stir in marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.24 ounces marinara sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, Salt and pepper to taste
- In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, ricotta, and sour cream until smooth.8 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup ricotta, 1/2 cup sour cream
- Spread half of the cooked spaghetti in the baking dish. Top with the cheese mixture, spreading evenly.
- Add the remaining spaghetti, followed by the meat sauce.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top. Dot with butter.2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 Tablespoons butter
- Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Please note that the nutritional content of this recipe will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For a detailed breakdown of the nutritional values, consider using a recipe nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you’ve used.
