Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Looking for the ultimate comfort food that’ll make your family fight over the leftovers? This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole isn’t just a meal – it’s an experience that transforms ordinary spaghetti into something so ridiculously delicious, you’ll swear it’s worth every penny of its name.

What makes this casserole magical is the incredible layering technique. Imagine tender spaghetti noodles coated in butter, a rich meat sauce with both beef AND Italian sausage, and the secret weapon – a dreamy, creamy cheese layer that melts into every bite. When you pull this bubbling masterpiece from the oven, the cheese stretches into those Instagram-worthy pulls that make everyone grab their phones before their forks.

Ingredients

For the Pasta Base:

• 16 ounces spaghetti noodles
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• ½ cup marinara sauce (reserved from main sauce)

For the Meat Sauce:

• ½ pound ground beef
• ½ pound ground Italian sausage (or pork sausage)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 24 ounces marinara sauce (reserve ½ cup for pasta)

For the Cheese Layer:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 cup cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese)

For Topping:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ⅔ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This moderate temperature ensures even cooking without burning the cheese topping.
2. Make the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage until no pink remains (about 7-8 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Use a slotted spoon to remove most of the grease – leaving a little enhances flavor. Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the meat and cook for 3-4 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant. The onions should be soft but not browned. Add all but ½ cup of the marinara sauce to the mixture (reserve that ½ cup for the pasta later) and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes to marry the flavors, then set aside.
3. Prepare the Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add 1-2 tablespoons salt to the water. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions, just until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes) – it should still have a slight bite as it will continue cooking in the oven. Immediately drain the pasta (don’t rinse!), and while still hot, place in a large mixing bowl with the butter and ½ cup reserved marinara sauce. Toss until butter is completely melted and pasta is evenly coated. The hot pasta will melt the butter and absorb the sauce, creating the perfect base.
4. Make the Cheese Layer: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese (or ricotta). Mix until well blended and smooth. Make sure your cream cheese is properly softened (at least 30 minutes at room temperature) to avoid lumps. The mixture should be spreadable but not runny.
5. Assemble the Casserole:

• Pour HALF of the buttered pasta into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
• Carefully spread the cheese mixture over the pasta layer, going all the way to the edges.
• Top with the remaining noodles, creating a distinct layer.
• Spread the meat sauce evenly over the top noodle layer.
• Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese followed by parmesan cheese, covering the entire surface.

1. Bake the casserole for 30-40 minutes until hot and bubbly. Check it around the 20-minute mark – if the cheese is browning too quickly, tent a piece of foil over it to prevent burning. The casserole is done when the edges are bubbling and the center reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
2. Rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving. This critical resting period allows the layers to set up and prevents the casserole from falling apart when served. The wait is tough but worth it!

Smart Swaps

• Use whole wheat spaghetti instead of regular for added fiber and nutrients
• Substitute ground turkey for the beef to reduce fat content (cook until it reaches 165°F (74°C))
• Try low-fat cream cheese and cottage cheese to reduce calories without sacrificing creaminess
• Add 1 cup chopped bell peppers and 1 cup mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra vegetables

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Use 100% whole grain pasta to reduce the glycemic impact (reduces approximately 10g carbs per serving)
• Replace half the pasta with 2 cups spiralized zucchini, drained well on paper towels
• Use sugar-free marinara sauce (check labels – should have less than 5g sugar per serving)
• Portion into 1-cup servings (approximately 30g carbs per serving) and pair with a side salad dressed with olive oil and vinegar

Pro Tips

• Slightly undercook the pasta (1 minute less than package directions) as it will continue cooking in the oven
• For make-ahead prep, assemble everything but keep the noodles and sauce separate until ready to bake
• The casserole freezes beautifully – cut into individual portions before freezing for quick weeknight meals
• For extra flavor, add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes to the meat sauce