This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Million Dollar Spaghetti is the ultimate baked pasta casserole. Layered with rich meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and tender noodles. Easy, comforting, and perfect for family dinners or feeding a crowd.
Million Dollar Spaghetti is the kind of comfort food dinner that feels rich, indulgent, and completely irresistible. Yet it’s so simple to make. Layers of tender spaghetti, savory meat sauce, and a creamy cheese mixture bake together into a casserole that tastes like lasagna and classic spaghetti combined.
It’s the perfect recipe for feeding a crowd, bringing to potlucks, or prepping ahead for busy weeknights. Every bite is cheesy, hearty, and totally satisfying.
How to make Million Dollar Spaghetti:
Start by boiling your spaghetti according to box directions. You want them to be al dente as they will cook more in the oven. While the noodles are cooking heat your onions in a skillet and then add your ground beef. Cook them until they are brown. Mix in the spices. Next mix together the noodles, meat and sauce until everything is combined well. Mix together your cheeses. Put half of the noodle mixture into the bottom of your casserole dish. Spready the cheese mixture on top of that and then put the remaining layer of noodles on top of the cheese. Sprinkle with more mozzarella cheese and then cover with foil and bake.
Ingredient Notes:
- Spaghetti Noodles
- Oil
- Onion , (diced)
- Ground Beef
- Italian Seasoning
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Marinara Sauce, (I used 2 24 oz jars)
- Mozzarella Cheese, (shredded)
- Cottage Cheese
- Cream Cheese, (softened)
Directions:
Step One – Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and prepare a 9×13 casserole pan with cooking spray.
Step Two – Cook noodles to al dente according to package instructions. Drain then return pasta to the pot and sit aside.
Recipe Tip
Undercooking the noodles keeps them from getting soggy in the oven.
Step Three – Sauté onions in oil until translucent then add ground beef, cooking and crumbling until meat is no longer pink. Remove any extra fat from the pan and stir in spices.
Step Four – Add the meat mixture and the sauce to your drained spaghetti noodles and stir well.
Step Five – In a medium sized bowl mix together the cottage cheese, cream cheese, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
Step Six – Next place half of the noodle mixture into the prepared 9×13. Then spread the cheese mixture on top of the noodles. (This can get a little messy but that’s ok.)
Step Seven – Lastly spread the rest of the noodle mixture on top of the cheese and then sprinkle on the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes until the middle is warm and the edges are bubbly.
Step Eight – Garnish with parmesan and parsley if desired.
Recipe Tip
To brown the top of your spaghetti broil for 2-3 minutes on high.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Assemble up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready.
Can I freeze it?
Absolutely. Freeze before or after baking. Thaw overnight and reheat.
Can I use Italian sausage instead of beef?
Yes! Sausage adds extra flavor and works great in this recipe.
Is cottage cheese or ricotta better?
Either works! Cottage cheese is creamier; ricotta is richer.
Pro Tips:
- Don’t skip the resting time. It helps the casserole set and slice better.
- Mix half Italian sausage with half beef for extra flavor.
- Add crushed red pepper to the sauce if you like a little heat.
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best melt and texture.
Try some of my other favorite Pasta Recipes:
Pasta Bake – The perfect simple dinner recipe! This Pasta Bake is a favorite with my family and it’s so simple to make.
One Pan Taco Pasta – This simple One-Pan Taco Pasta means fewer dishes for you after dinner and a happy family during dinner. Just add a few ingredients to a pot and 15 minutes later dinner is ready, it’s that easy.
Chicken Fajita Pasta – Creamy and cheesy Chicken Fajita Pasta. My two favorites coming together, Mexican and pasta combined in a flavorful cream sauce.
If you tried any of my recipes I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.
Show me what you are making, use hashtag #TDOARH
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Spaghetti Noodles
- 1 Tablespoon Oil
- 1 Medium Onion , (diced)
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 48 Ounce Jars Marinara Sauce, (I used 2 24 oz jars)
- 3 Cups Mozzarella Cheese, (shredded)
- 1 Cup Cottage Cheese
- 8 Ounces Cream Cheese, (softened)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and prepare a 9×13 casserole pan with cooking spray.
- Cook noodles to al dente according to package instructions. Drain then return pasta to the pot and sit aside.
- Sauté onions in oil until translucent then add ground beef, cooking and crumbling until meat is no longer pink. Remove any extra fat from the pan and stir in spices.
- Add the meat mixture and the sauce to your drained spaghetti noodles and stir well.
- In a medium sized bowl mix together the cottage cheese, cream cheese, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
- Next place half of the noodle mixture into the prepared 9×13. Then spread the cheese mixture on top of the noodles. (This can get a little messy but that's ok.)
- Lastly spread the rest of the noodle mixture on top of the cheese and then sprinkle on the remaining mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes until the middle is warm and the edges are bubbly.
- Garnish with parmesan and parsley if desired.
