Rich, Creamy, Meaty, and Covered in Gooey Cheese – It Tastes Like a Million Bucks!
If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food that brings the entire family running to the dinner table, look no further than this Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole. It gets its name not from its cost (thankfully!) but because it tastes like it’s worth a fortune — with layers of creamy cheese, perfectly seasoned meat, and tender spaghetti baked into a golden, bubbly masterpiece.
Think of it as a cross between lasagna and spaghetti — but even creamier, cheesier, and easier to make. You can prepare it ahead of time, freeze it, double it for parties, or reheat leftovers that taste even better the next day. It’s the kind of crowd-pleasing casserole that gets recipe requests and leaves everyone full and happy.
🧾 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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✅ Creamy, cheesy, and satisfying
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✅ Perfect for make-ahead meals or meal prepping
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✅ Feeds a crowd with minimal effort
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✅ Family and kid-approved comfort food
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✅ Freezes beautifully for future meals
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✅ Easily customizable with veggies, sausage, or spice
🍽 Ingredients (Serves 8–10)
🍝 For the Pasta:
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1 lb spaghetti, cooked al dente
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Salted water for boiling
🥩 For the Meat Sauce:
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1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage, or a combo)
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce or pasta sauce
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1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional for depth)
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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½ teaspoon salt
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes for heat
🧀 For the Cheese Layer:
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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1 cup sour cream
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1 cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
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½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon dried parsley (or 1 tbsp fresh)
🧀 For the Topping:
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2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup cheddar cheese (optional for color and sharpness)
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2 tablespoons butter, melted (to drizzle)
🧂 Optional Add-ins:
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Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach
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Sliced olives or jalapeños for a spicy kick
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Swap ground meat with veggie crumbles for vegetarian version
🍳 Equipment Needed
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9×13 inch baking dish
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Large pot (for pasta)
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Large skillet or pan (for meat sauce)
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Mixing bowls
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Spatula or spoon
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Foil for baking cover
⏲ Time Overview
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Prep Time: 25 minutes
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Bake Time: 30–40 minutes
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Cooling Time: 10 minutes
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Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
🔪 Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Add spaghetti and cook 1 minute less than package directions (it will continue to cook in the oven).
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Drain and set aside. Toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
🍝 Pro tip: Keep pasta slightly firm so it doesn’t become mushy after baking.
🥘 Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce
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In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef (or sausage).
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Add onions and garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
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Drain excess grease if needed.
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Stir in the marinara sauce, tomato paste (if using), and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
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Let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
🍅 Want extra depth? Add a splash of red wine while the sauce simmers.
🧀 Step 3: Make the Creamy Cheese Mixture
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In a bowl, combine:
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Softened cream cheese
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Sour cream
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Ricotta or cottage cheese
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Parmesan
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Garlic powder
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Parsley
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Stir until smooth and creamy.
❄️ If the cream cheese is cold, microwave it for 10–15 seconds to soften.
🥘 Step 4: Layer the Casserole
Now for the fun part — layering it all together!
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Bottom layer: Add half of the cooked spaghetti into a greased 9×13 pan. Spread into an even layer.
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Middle cheese layer: Spread the entire cream cheese mixture on top of the spaghetti.
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Second pasta layer: Add the rest of the spaghetti on top of the cheese.
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Meat sauce layer: Spread the warm meat sauce evenly over the pasta.
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Topping: Sprinkle with mozzarella, cheddar (if using), and drizzle with melted butter.
🧅 Want it extra gooey? Add an extra handful of mozzarella between the pasta layers.
🔥 Step 5: Bake the Casserole
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
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Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
🔄 For a crispier top, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end — watch closely!
🧊 Step 6: Rest and Serve
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Let the casserole rest for 10–15 minutes after baking to set.
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Slice and serve warm with garlic bread, salad, or roasted veggies.
🥗 This rest time allows everything to hold together beautifully when slicing.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Million Dollar Spaghetti pairs beautifully with:
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🥗 A simple green salad with vinaigrette
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🍞 Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks
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🧄 Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or green beans
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🍷 A glass of red wine like Chianti or Merlot
🧊 Storage, Freezing & Reheating
Refrigerate:
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Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze:
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Wrap tightly in foil and plastic wrap, then freeze for up to 3 months.
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For single servings, portion into freezer-safe containers.
Reheat:
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Oven: 350°F, covered, for 20–25 minutes.
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Microwave: 2–3 minutes per slice.
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Air Fryer: Great for reheating smaller portions — 350°F for 5–7 minutes.
🧀 Add a splash of water or marinara before reheating to prevent drying.
🔁 Variations & Swaps
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Vegetarian: Skip the meat or use sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini.
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Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or spicy Italian sausage.
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Gluten-free: Use GF pasta and double-check sauces.
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Low-carb: Use spaghetti squash or shirataki noodles instead of pasta.
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Meaty Upgrade: Add chopped bacon or pancetta to the meat layer.
📊 Nutritional Info (Per Serving – Approximate)
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Calories: 470
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Protein: 22g
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Carbs: 36g
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Fat: 27g
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Sugar: 6g
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Sodium: 780mg
(Will vary with brands and exact ingredients.)
✅ Tips for Success
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Don’t skip the cream cheese layer—that’s what makes it “million dollar”!
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Slightly undercook the spaghetti so it doesn’t turn mushy.
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Let the casserole rest before cutting for neat slices.
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Make it a day ahead for a richer, deeper flavor.
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Use a high-quality marinara for best results — or homemade if you prefer.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is everything you want in a baked pasta dish: creamy, saucy, comforting, cheesy, and satisfying. It’s easy enough for weeknight dinners and indulgent enough for holidays, potlucks, or birthday dinners.
Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s a hit with families across the country — it’s that one dish that pleases picky eaters, feeds a hungry crowd, and always has people coming back for seconds.
