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Home » Recipes » Casserole Recipes

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Published: Sep 20, 2023 Last Updated: Sep 20, 2023 by Marye 1651 words. | About 9 minutes to read this article.

50 minutes mins
Million dollar spaghetti is a mash up between lasagna and spaghetti with layers of pasta, hearty ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and creamy cheese topped with gooey Mozzarella. It's so easy to make and it feeds a crowd - great for potlucks.
Jump to Recipe
A scoop of pasta with a stylized text overlay for Pinterest.
A closeup of a serving of pasta being lifted from a casserole dish with a text overlay for Pinterest.

Layers of spaghetti, creamy cheese, and a hearty meat sauce make this easy recipe picky eater friendly and a family favorite!

A serving of casserole on a white plate.
Jump to:
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

🗝️ Key takeaways

  • Cheesy, hearty pasta casserole takes just 30 minutes and you can assemble it ahead of time.
  • Great for busy weeknights. It's also perfect for casual get-togethers, and potlucks because it feeds a crowd.
  • Be sure to use a block of cheese and shred it yourself. It will melt creamier and smoother.

There's nothing more comforting than a good spaghetti casserole.

Million-dollar spaghetti is a hearty, budget-friendly casserole that is a mash-up between a lasagna and a baked spaghetti recipe.

It's full of layers of spaghetti, rich marinara, seasoned ground beef, and creamy cheese... with a gooey cheese topping.

If you're looking for something with a bit more spice to it try this spicy chicken mac and cheese!

🧾 Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for million dollar spaghetti.

Use your favorite sauce. I use homemade marinara sauce when I have time but store bought works just as well.

If you like Italian sausage you can make this with a combination of ground beef and sausage. You can also substitute it for all the ground beef.

📖 Variations

  • Use Italian sausage in place of half or all of the ground beef for extra flavor.
  • You can substitute ground chicken, turkey, or game meat for the ground beef.
  • Ricotta cheese can be substituted for cottage cheese.
  • Provolone can be used as the top layer instead of Mozzarella.
  • Add a little Parmesan cheese as well.
  • Some people like it with Cheddar cheese on top.
  • Add a sprinkle of crushed red peppers for a little more bite.
  • Use any type of pasta that you like.
  • Love cheese? Double the ingredients in the creamy filling.

Next time try this southern chicken spaghetti with Ro*tel!

🔪 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions for this million-dollar spaghetti recipe. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below.

Step by step images showing the first four steps of making million dollar spaghetti.
  1. Add the slices of butter to the casserole dish.
  2. Add half the cooked spaghetti.
  3. Top with cream cheese mixture.
  4. Add the mozzarella over the cheese layer.
The last four steps of assembling this spaghetti casserole.
  1. Top with spaghetti noodles then meat mixture.
  2. Add remaining sauce.
  3. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
  4. Put baking dish in the oven and bake.

🥫 Storage

This easy spaghetti bake should be covered with plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.

You can even assemble it ahead of time and bake it when ready.

Freeze

You can freeze it before or after baking. Just cover tightly or place in an airtight container and freeze for up to four months.

Thaw and bake

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as instructed in the recipe.

If the dish has been in the refrigerator let it sit out on the counter for 30 minutes or so so the glass doesn't shatter with the quick temperature change when it goes in the oven.

Overhead view of the pan of spaghetti being served.
You can assemble this millionaire spaghetti recipe ahead of time and bake it when desired.

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: I like to break the spaghetti up into thirds before cooking. The smaller-sized noodles make it easier to cut and serve.

  • This is a good dish for sneaking in vegetables if you have veggie-haters at your house. Chop them and add in with the hearty meat sauce mixture.
  • Let the million-dollar spaghetti casserole sit for about 5-10 minutes after you remove it from the oven. This gives it a chance to solidify a little and it won't fall apart (much) when you cut into it to serve.
  • Use lean ground beef. I like the 90/10 mix.
  • For best results don't use low-fat cream cheese in this recipe.
  • The recipe says to put part of the marinara sauce on the spaghetti. How much you add depends on your taste. If you like a real saucy spaghetti dish then add more. The sauce will not sink down and mix with the spaghetti so get it the way you like it before layering.
  • This is one of my favorite meals for potlucks! It doesn't have to be steaming hot to be good AND it's easy to take with you. Plus it makes a ton. I've never brought any leftovers home - the dish is always clean.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.

Why is it called million-dollar spaghetti?

Well, because it tastes like a million dollars! It's a super rich casserole and I imagine that's where the name comes from.

Can I cook this casserole straight from frozen?

Yes, you can. Make sure you freeze it in an aluminum baking pan so there's no concern for breakage. Cover with aluminum foil and bake covered for about 30 minutes, then uncover and bake 20 minutes longer, or until it is hot all the way through. I stick an Insta-read thermometer in the center. When it reads 165F it's done.

A serving of this dish being scooped from the baking pan.
This hearty pasta casserole is sure to be a hit at your house!

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  • Sausage Alfredo Skillet is a quick, 15-minute creamy pasta dinner made with smoked sausage - it's classic comfort food!
  • Chicken Alfredo Ravioli is so easy to make - it's another busy weeknight dinner and takes just 15 minutes.
  • You'll love this creamy lasagna soup!
  • Taco Spaghetti is made in one pot in less than 30 minutes!
  • We love this with soft garlic breadsticks!
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See more Pasta Recipes →

🍽️ Serve with...

Million-dollar spaghetti is such a hearty casserole you don't need much else. I like to serve it with a salad and garlic bread or breadsticks.

If you take a look at what to serve with chicken spaghetti you'll find a lot of side dishes that will work with this million-dollar spaghetti, too.

And for dessert? You just can't go wrong with these easy brownies.

  • A basket full of garlic breadsticks.
    Garlic breadsticks
  • a collage showing images from this post.
    What to serve with chicken spaghetti
  • Stack of brownies with pecans.
    Easy brownies

📞 The last word

My whole family loved this pasta dish.

I've learned a few things over the years that I've made it. For one thing, use block Mozzarella and shred it yourself.

I was in a hurry and grabbed a bag of shredded from Costco. It had so much cellulose stuff on it to keep it from sticking together that it didn't melt at all - it was still just strips of cheese. I had to have my son run to the store for a block of Mozzarella while I scraped it off and then added the real stuff.

It was frustrating so don't make this mistake!

Try this over the top Crack Chicken Spaghetti with Ranch seasoning, bacon and green onions, too!

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If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Close up of a plateful of million dollar pasta with cheese on top.
4.68 from 34 votes

Million Dollar Spaghetti Bake

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Million dollar spaghetti is a mash up between lasagna and spaghetti with layers of pasta, hearty ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and creamy cheese topped with gooey Mozzarella. It's so easy to make and it feeds a crowd - great for potlucks.
Course Casserole,Main Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
Servings:10
Calories:650
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • 13x9-inch pan

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons butter, sliced
  • 2 pounds ground beef, lean
  • ½ cup cottage cheese, or ricotta
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 3 cups Mozzarella, grated
  • 1 cup onions, diced
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 pound spaghetti, broken into thirds
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 48 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°
  • Cook spaghetti in salted, boiling water - don't overcook!
  • Drain. Add 12 ounces (½ a jar) of marinara sauce to the spaghetti and set aside.
  • Add onion and ground beef to pan.
  • Saute until beef is cooked and onion is almost translucent.
  • Add garlic, smoked paprika, and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning; cook for a minute or two more.
  • Drain excess fat from pan.
  • Add half the sauce to the meat mixture and stir well. Set aside.
  • Heat the cream cheese in the microwave until soft.
  • Mix ½ cup of the Mozzarella, sour cream, cottage cheese, and cream cheese with 1 teaspoon of the Italian seasoning.
  • Blend until smooth and well mixed.
  • Place 8 squares of butter in the bottom of the 13x9-inch pan.
  • Cover with half the spaghetti.
  • Spoon the cheese mixture over the spaghetti and gently smooth into a layer.
  • Sprinkle with 1-½ cups of Mozzarella.
  • Cover with the remaining spaghetti.
  • Add the meat sauce in a smooth layer.
  • Add the remaining sauce over the meat.
  • Cover with the remaining cheese.
  • Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
  • Check and if the cheese is getting too brown cover with aluminum foil and bake 10-15 more minutes - or until the center registers 165° on an insta-read thermometer.
  • Remove from the oven and let stand 5-10 minutes.

Notes

Storage:
This easy spaghetti bake should be covered with plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can even assemble it ahead of time and bake when ready.
You can freeze it before or after baking. Just cover tightly or place in an airtight container and freeze for up to four months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as instructed in the recipe.
Tips:
  • I like to break the spaghetti up into thirds before cooking. The smaller sized noodles make it easier to cut and serve.
  • This is a good dish for sneaking in vegetables if you have veggie-haters at your house. Chop them and add in with the meat and sauce mixture.
  • Let the million dollar spaghetti casserole sit for about 5-10 minutes after you remove it from the oven. This gives it a chance to solidify a little and it won't fall apart (much) when you cut into it to serve.
  • Use a lean ground beef. I like the 90/10 mix.
  • If the dish has been in the refrigerator let it sit out on the counter for 30 minutes or so so the glass doesn't shatter with the quick temperature change when it goes in the oven.
You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 650kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 1183mg | Potassium: 957mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1502IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 261mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    First published April 21, 2021. Last updated September 20, 2023, for editorial corrections and improvements.

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

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      Love it? Give it 5 stars!




    1. Kristen

      September 22, 2023 at 10:14 am

      5 stars
      My family is OBSESSED with million dollar dip, so I am pretty sure that this million dollar spaghetti recipe will be a hit! Can't wait to make it!

      Reply
    2. Cynthia Rusincovitch

      September 22, 2023 at 9:44 am

      This is one of my kids' favorite meals but I had no idea it was called million dollar spaghetti!

      Reply
    3. Brittany

      September 21, 2023 at 3:37 pm

      I had never heard of million dollar spaghetti but who doesn't love lasagna AND spaghetti?! It looks like something my picky eater might even try.

      Reply
    4. Anna Grace Harmon

      July 23, 2021 at 2:16 pm

      I can't wait to make this!!! How much smoked paprika do you use?

      Reply
      • Marye

        July 24, 2021 at 9:21 pm

        Half a teaspoon - I've fixed it in the recipe. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Julie

      April 24, 2021 at 7:52 am

      5 stars
      Turned out great! Changed my rating to 5 stars!!! Thanks for the clarification on the process! 🤩

      Reply
    6. Julie

      April 23, 2021 at 5:12 pm

      3 stars
      I'm a little confused about your directions. #10 says to mix the Mozzarella, cottage cheese, and cream cheese with 1 tsp. Italian seasoning. #15 says to sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the Mozzarella over the cheese mixture. #19 says cover with remaining cheese. Can you clarify those directions. Also, I don't see mention of the sour cream or cayenne in the directions and also wonder about the smoked paprika that's in the picture but not in the recipe. I think I will use a larger pan next time because the 9 X 13 was a bit small. Looking forward to dinner tonight but would appreciate it if you could clarify the directions for me. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Marye

        April 23, 2021 at 5:27 pm

        The instructions are fixed. 1/2 cup of Mozzarella goes in with the cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese in #10. 1-1/2 cups get sprinkled over the cheese mixture. and the remaining 1 cup goes on top.

        Reply

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