Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

You can never go wrong with baked pasta, whether it’s stuffed shells, pasta al forno or this super cheesy million dollar spaghetti casserole.

Have you ever tried million dollar spaghetti? It’s a casserole with a hidden surprise of creamy cheese in the center. This recipe is always a hit with both the kids and adults in my family.

Why is it called million dollar spaghetti?

This dish is referred to as million dollar spaghetti because it’s rich, decadent and you feel like a million bucks when you eat it!

How do you make million dollar spaghetti casserole?

Start by making the meat sauce by browning ground beef, Italian sausage, onions and garlic in a pan. Add a jar of marinara sauce and simmer until the sauce is thickened. Boil the pasta while the sauce is simmering. Next, make the cheese mixture to go in between the pasta layers. Stir together ricotta cheese, cream cheese, parmesan and seasonings. Toss the pasta with the meat sauce. To assemble the casserole, line the pan with pats of butter, then add half the pasta. Spread the cheese mixture over the pasta, then add the rest of the spaghetti on top. Add more pats of butter, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and browned, then add a sprinkle of parsley and serve.

Tips for the perfect dish

I recommend using freshly shredded mozzarella for this dish. The bags of pre-shredded cheese at the grocery store often contain anti caking agents and preservatives and don’t melt as smoothly. Use your favorite marinara sauce for this recipe. I like Newman’s Own which has a nice balanced flavor. You can also use my homemade marinara sauce recipe if you prefer! I typically use 90% lean ground beef – it has plenty of flavor but is not overly greasy. If you use beef with a higher fat content, be sure to drain off the excess grease after it’s cooked. The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance. I like to make a double batch and freeze half for later use. This pasta dish stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for 2 months.

Million dollar spaghetti casserole flavor variations

This recipe is great as-is, but you can change up the ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.

Meat: Try using ground turkey, Italian turkey sausage or diced cooked chicken instead of ground beef and Italian sausage. Vegetables: Add sauteed vegetables to the sauce such as mushrooms, spinach,yellow squash, zucchini, kale or bell peppers. Cheese: Instead of mozzarella try another cheese that melts well such as shredded provolone or fontina. Topping: You can add a crispy topping to the dish by mixing breadcrumbs with melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the pasta before you put it in the oven.

What side dishes go with spaghetti?

Salads are a great accompaniment to million dollar spaghetti. They are a cool and crisp contrast to the rich and hearty pasta. I like to serve panzanella salad or a light and refreshing cucumber salad with spaghetti. I also like to have garlic or cheesy bread with spaghetti. Some of my favorites are garlic knots and cheesy pull apart bread.

Once you try this spaghetti casserole, you’ll find that it quickly becomes part of your regular dinner rotation. It’s just that good!