Million Dollar Spaghetti Bake
Million dollar spaghetti layers saucy ground beef, cream cheese–sour cream noodles, and mozzarella into a baked pasta casserole that tastes like lasagna’s easier cousin. Viral comfort casserole—brown the beef fully and bake until bubbly and 165°F in the center.
đź›’Ingredients
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef (or half beef/half Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, pepper, chopped parsley
🔧Kitchen Tools Needed
- 9Ă—13-inch baking dish
- Large pot
- Skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Instant-read thermometer
đź“ťInstructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook spaghetti in salted water until just al dente; drain.
- 2
Brown ground beef with onion over medium-high heat until no pink remains and beef reaches 160°F. Drain excess fat. Stir in marinara and Italian seasoning; simmer 5 minutes.
- 3
Beat cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta/cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Toss with hot spaghetti.
- 4
Spread half the meat sauce in the dish. Add the creamy spaghetti. Top with remaining meat sauce and remaining mozzarella.
- 5
Bake uncovered 25–30 minutes until bubbly and the center reaches 165°F. Broil 1–2 minutes for browned cheese if desired.
- 6
Rest 10 minutes before serving. Refrigerate up to 4 days; freeze tightly wrapped up to 2 months.
🥗Nutrition Information
⚡Calories per serving: 620
🏷️Recipe Tags
âť“Frequently Asked Questions
Why 'million dollar'?
The creamy cheese layer makes it taste luxurious—like a cross between spaghetti and lasagna.
Can I use turkey?
Yes—cook ground turkey to 165°F and consider extra seasoning for flavor.
Make ahead?
Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add 10 minutes bake time from cold.
How to reheat?
Cover with foil at 325°F until hot in the center, or microwave single portions.
Prevent dry pasta?
Undercook noodles slightly and use enough sauce so the bake stays moist.
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