Description
Some recipes just feel like home, and Million Dollar Spaghetti is one of them. It’s everything you love about classic spaghetti, layered with a rich, creamy cheese filling and finished with a golden, bubbly top. Easy enough for a weeknight, special enough for guests—this is comfort food at its finest. One bite and you’ll understand where the name comes from.
Ingredients
Pasta & Meat Sauce
-
1 lb spaghetti
-
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
-
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
-
1 tsp garlic powder
-
1 tsp Italian seasoning
-
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Creamy “Million Dollar” Layer
-
8 oz cream cheese, softened
-
1 cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
-
½ cup sour cream
Topping
-
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
-
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
-
Cook the spaghetti in salted water until just al dente (1–2 minutes less than package directions). Drain and set aside.
-
Make the meat sauce
Brown the ground beef or sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess grease. Stir in marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes, then remove from heat. -
Mix the creamy layer
In a bowl, combine cream cheese, ricotta (or cottage cheese), and sour cream until smooth. -
Assemble the layers
-
Spread half the spaghetti in the baking dish
-
Spread all of the creamy cheese mixture evenly on top
-
Add the remaining spaghetti
-
Pour all the meat sauce over the top
-
-
Add cheese topping
Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the sauce, then finish with Parmesan. -
Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake 10–15 minutes more, until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. -
Rest before serving
Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing for cleaner servings.
Notes
-
Undercook the pasta slightly so it doesn’t get mushy after baking
-
Soften cream cheese fully for a smooth, spreadable layer
-
Drain meat well to avoid greasiness
-
Let it rest—this helps the layers hold together
-
Great for make-ahead meals and freezer-friendly