Description
Rich, cheesy, and layered with love, this Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is your answer to a cozy, satisfying dinner. It brings together tender spaghetti, a meaty marinara sauce, and a luscious cheese filling baked into golden, bubbly perfection. It’s everything comfort food dreams are made of. This easy dinner idea is perfect for family meals, potlucks, or make-ahead freezer meals. It hits all the notes: hearty, comforting, and indulgently delicious—a true win in any meal rotation.
Ingredients
16 oz spaghetti
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound ground beef
3 cups marinara sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cottage cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1. Boil the spaghetti in salted water until just al dente. Drain and toss with 2 tablespoons of butter.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease.
3. Add marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the beef. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Mix until smooth.
5. In a greased 9×13 baking dish, layer half the buttered spaghetti, the full cheese mixture, the remaining spaghetti, the beef sauce, and top with shredded mozzarella.
6. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.
7. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
8. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Be sure to cook the pasta just until al dente so it doesn’t become mushy when baked.
Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature to blend more smoothly with the other cheeses.
This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: million dollar spaghetti, baked spaghetti, easy casserole, cheesy pasta bake