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    Home » Dinners » Million Dollar Spaghetti

    Million Dollar Spaghetti

    Published: Mar 21, 2022 · Modified: Mar 21, 2022 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Million Dollar Spaghetti is a hearty spaghetti casserole that's creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. This easy pasta casserole is family-friendly and budget-friendly.

    A spoon scooping up million dollar spaghetti.

    Million dollar spaghetti is a delicious baked pasta casserole that has layers of spaghetti, meat sauce, and cheese. This cheesy baked spaghetti is an easy dinner recipe that's always a hit with kids and adults alike!

    Ingredient notes

    Ingredients for million dollar spaghetti in dishes with labels.
    • Cream cheese - Regular or reduced-fat cream cheese will work. I don't recommend using fat-free cream cheese in this recipe because it doesn't melt well.
    • Ricotta cheese - Regular or part-skim will work. I don't recommend fat-free ricotta cheese. If you don't want to use ricotta cheese, cottage cheese makes a good substitute.
    • Italian seasoning - Feel free to use more if you'd like.
    • Ground beef - I recommend using lean ground beef. Ground turkey, ground chicken, or Italian sausage can also be used.
    • Marinara sauce - This recipe calls for 28 ounces of sauce. For some brands of spaghetti sauce, a jar is 22-24 ounces. Double check the size of your sauce to ensure that you have enough.
    • Mozzarella cheese - You can also add ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese for even more flavor.

    How to make million dollar spaghetti

    Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 inch pan.

    Cream cheese ricotta and spices in a mixing bowl.

    Step 2: Combine the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.

    Step 3: Mix until well combined; set it aside.

    Cooked spaghetti noodles in a pot.

    Step 4: Cook the spaghetti noodles in a large pot according to the directions on the package for al dente noodles.

    Step 5: Drain and return to the pot.

    Step 6: Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a sauté pan or skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, making sure to break the beef into bite-size pieces.

    Step 7: Drain the grease from the beef.

    A pot with spaghetti noodles, pasta sauce, and ground beef.

    Step 8: Add the sauce and the cooked ground beef to the pot with the noodles.

    Step 9: Pour the spaghetti mixture into the baking dish.

    A wooden spoon spreading cheese mixture over spaghetti noodles.

    Step 10: Spread the cheese mixture over the meat sauce in an even layer.

    Mozzarella cheese on top of a casserole.

    Step 11: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top.

    Step 12: Bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the casserole is hot and bubbly.

    Baked spaghetti casserole next to a loaf of bread.

    Make ahead instructions

    This casserole can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator or frozen (freezer meal).

    Refrigerator

    The casserole can be made a day ahead. To make ahead, make as directed through step 11.

    Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator until ready to make. Unwrap and bake as directed.

    Freezer

    To freeze the casserole, make through step 11. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze until ready to bake.

    Place the frozen casserole into the fridge to thaw for 24-48 hours before you're ready to bake it. Cook as directed. You may need to add 15-20 minutes to the baking time.

    A plate of creamy baked spaghetti on top of two other plates.

    Variations

    • Vegetarian - You can omit the ground beef or use veggie crumbles in place of the ground beef. You can also add sauteed mushrooms to the sauce.
    • Pasta - Feel free to use another type of pasta, like penne, if you prefer. If you use another type of pasta, you may need to drop dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the top and then spread.
    • Heat - If you'd like to add some heat to this baked spaghetti, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
    • Lighter - To make this spaghetti casserole lighter, use reduced-fat or Greek yogurt cream cheese, part-skim ricotta, extra lean ground beef or lean ground turkey, and reduce the amount of mozzarella cheese.
    Baked spaghetti on a plate next to a loaf of bread and a casserole pan.

    Side dishes for million dollar spaghetti

    Garlic knots, garlic breadsticks, or garlic bread and green salad go well with this baked spaghetti.

    Storage

    Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The leftovers will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored.

    More pasta recipes!

    • Easy One-Skillet Lasagna
    • Baked Macaroni and Cheese
    • Homemade Hamburger Helper
    • Crock Pot Lasagna

    If you’ve tried this million dollar spaghetti recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can subscribe to receive my latest recipe newsletters or follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for even more delicious food.

    A spoon scooping up million dollar spaghetti.

    Million Dollar Spaghetti

    Cheesy baked spaghetti casserole that makes a delicious dinner!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 445kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    Equipment

    • 9x13 pan

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
    • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
    • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti noodles
    • 1 pound lean ground beef
    • 28 ounces marinara sauce
    • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
    • Combine the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
    • Mix until well combined; set it aside.
    • Cook the spaghetti according to the directions on the package for al dente noodles.
    • Drain and return to the pot.
    • Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a sauté pan or skillet over medium-high heat, making sure to break the beef into bite-size pieces.
    • Drain the grease from the beef.
    • Add the sauce and the cooked ground beef to the pot with the noodles.
    • Pour the spaghetti mixture into the baking pan.
    • Spread the cheese mixture over the top in an even layer.
    • Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top.
    • Bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the casserole is hot and bubbly.

    Video

    Notes

    • Cream cheese - Regular or reduced-fat cream cheese will work. I don't recommend using fat-free cream cheese in this recipe because it doesn't melt well.
    • Ricotta cheese - Regular or part-skim will work. I don't recommend fat-free ricotta cheese. If you don't want to use ricotta cheese, cottage cheese makes a good substitute.
    • Ground beef - I recommend using lean ground beef. Ground turkey, ground chicken, or Italian sausage can also be used.
    • Marinara sauce - This recipe calls for 28 ounces of sauce. For some brands of spaghetti sauce, a jar is 22-24 ounces. Double check the size of your sauce to ensure that you have enough.
    • Nutrition values are estimates. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 999mg | Potassium: 707mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 991IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 365mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!
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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Natalie

      March 31, 2022 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      This was a big hit with the littles! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Kate

        March 31, 2022 at 9:49 am

        Thanks!! I'm glad it was a hit!

        Reply

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