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A serving of Million Dollar Spaghetti with meat sauce and herbs is being lifted from a white dish with a fork.

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Million Dollar Spaghetti is the kind of dish that’s always a hit—creamy, cheesy, and loaded with hearty flavor. It’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings, and you can even make it ahead or freeze it for later. Whether fresh out of the oven or reheated the next day, it tastes like a million bucks and keeps everyone coming back for more.
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: Million Dollar Spaghetti
Servings: 8
Calories: 723kcal
Author: Mandy Applegate

Equipment

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray
  • 1 pound uncooked spaghetti
  • 12 ounces ground beef
  • 12 ounces bulk fresh pork sausage
  • 1 cup yellow onion chopped
  • 1 teaspoon finely garlic minced
  • 3 cups marinara sauce divided
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
    Cooking spray, 1 pound uncooked spaghetti
  • In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and sausage, breaking it into small pieces. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion softens. Stir in the marinara sauce and remove the skillet from heat.
    12 ounces ground beef, 12 ounces bulk fresh pork sausage, 1 cup yellow onion, 1 teaspoon finely garlic, 3 cups marinara sauce
  • Add the butter to the cooked spaghetti and stir until melted. Mix the meat sauce into the pasta, ensuring it is evenly coated.
    2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • In a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
    8 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, ½ cup parmesan cheese
  • Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly layer the cheese mixture over the pasta, then add the remaining pasta on top. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole.
    1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
    Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Video

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="QbPNOUBk" upload-date="2025-10-03T02:48:02+00:00" name="Family Favorite Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe" description="Layers of pasta, creamy cheese, and rich meat sauce baked golden." player-type="default" override-embed="default"]

Notes

  • Cook Pasta Al Dente: Slightly undercook the spaghetti so it doesn’t become too soft when baked. This will keep the texture just right.
  • Room Temperature Cheese: Allow the cream cheese to soften for easier mixing and a smoother texture in the cheese layer.
  • Spread Evenly: When layering, make sure the cheese mixture is spread evenly so every bite has the perfect amount of creamy goodness.
  • Choose a Great Marinara: A jar of high-quality marinara sauce makes all the difference, so pick one you really enjoy.
  • Golden Cheese Topping: For an extra golden top, broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes after baking. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
  • Rest Before Serving: Allow the baked spaghetti to sit for 10 minutes to help the layers set and make slicing easier.
  • Substitutes: Cottage cheese will work if you don’t have ricotta. Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef.

Nutrition

Calories: 723kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 128mg | Sodium: 1042mg | Potassium: 737mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1180IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 279mg | Iron: 3mg
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