Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Every Family Recipe
If you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that feels like a celebration every time it hits the table, Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Every Family is about to become your go-to casserole. Imagine all the best parts of lasagna and classic spaghetti colliding in one epic, cheesy, crave-worthy pasta bake. Layers of creamy, tangy cheeses mingle with rich meat sauce and perfectly cooked pasta, all enveloped in melty, golden Cheddar. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or just want leftovers that get even better the next day, this family favorite delivers comforting flavor with minimal fuss—pure magic in a 9×13.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is that every ingredient plays a starring role in both taste and texture. There’s nothing fancy here, only pantry staples and kitchen classics that come together for true dinnertime joy.
- Spaghetti: Use classic spaghetti noodles—slightly undercooked—to create the heart of the bake and keep every bite perfectly al dente after the oven.
- Lean ground beef or Italian sausage: Choose your favorite for a hearty, savory meat layer. Sausage adds a little extra kick if you like things bold!
- Spaghetti sauce: Jarred sauce brings bold flavors to the party with no extra fuss—pick your favorite variety, whether classic tomato or one with herbs.
- Butter: Slicing it ensures each layer gets a subtle melt-in-your-mouth richness you can really taste.
- Cottage cheese: This surprise ingredient is creamy and tangy, lending a luscious, rich body to the cheese filling.
- Cream cheese: When softened and blended, it makes the whole casserole ultra creamy—no dry bites allowed!
- Sour cream: Just a little adds a gently tangy, melt-in texture and fantastic flavor depth to the cheese layer.
- Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese: This is your ooey-gooey, golden, bubbling crown. A must for truly irresistible cheesy flavor and a beautiful finish.
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Every Family
Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti Perfectly
Start by boiling the spaghetti in salted water until it’s just al dente—about a minute shy of the package instructions. This ensures the noodles hold up to the saucy, cheesy layers and won’t get mushy once baked. Drain them well and set aside.
Step 2: Sizzle and Saucy Meat Layer
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown your ground beef or Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spatula as you go. Once the meat is cooked through and nicely crumbled, drain off any excess grease. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, letting it simmer together until everything is beautifully combined and fragrant.
Step 3: Creamy Cheese Filling
In a medium mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, and sour cream. Blend everything together until smooth, creamy, and uniform. This mixture will add luscious, rich layers to every bite of your Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Every Family.
Step 4: Build Those Delicious Layers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lay half of your butter slices in the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Next, layer on half of the cooked spaghetti, spreading it out in an even layer. Dollop and gently spread half the cheese mixture over the pasta, then repeat the noodle and cheese mixture layers with the remaining ingredients. Finish with the rest of the butter slices dotted over the top.
Step 5: Add Meat Sauce and Bake Away
Pour your savory meat-and-sauce mixture evenly over the entire casserole, using a spatula or spoon to nudge it to the edges. Slide the dish, uncovered, into the oven and bake for 30 minutes. This melds all those amazing flavors and lets the layers set up beautifully.
Step 6: Make It Melty and Golden
Carefully remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the top with shredded sharp Cheddar cheese. Return it to the oven for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling, golden, and totally irresistible. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing—this helps the layers hold together when served.
How to Serve Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Every Family
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, a dusting of grated Parmesan, or even a few torn basil leaves on top turns this homey casserole into something ready for company. The pop of green adds fresh color and a little extra flavor punch.
Side Dishes
This pasta bake pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed in vinaigrette or steamed broccoli for a well-rounded meal. And let’s be honest—you’ll want some garlic bread or warm breadsticks to soak up every last bit of cheesy sauce on the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, divide the casserole into individual ramekins before baking to serve personal portions at dinner parties. Or, slice generous squares and plate each with a drizzle of extra marinara or a scattering of roasted tomatoes for a restaurant-worthy touch that makes the Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Every Family feel extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Every Family tastes fantastic the next day! Let the casserole cool completely, then store slices in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors only deepen overnight, making your lunch or next dinner even more satisfying.
Freezing
This casserole freezes like a dream. Wrap the cooled (or unbaked) dish tightly with foil, then freeze for up to three months. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating so everything bakes evenly and the cheese melts to perfection.
Reheating
To reheat, simply cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until hot and melty—about 25-30 minutes if coming from the fridge. For single portions, the microwave works too, just use medium heat so the creamy cheese layers stay rich and not rubbery.
FAQs
Can I substitute the cottage cheese with ricotta?
Absolutely! Ricotta cheese is a great alternative if you prefer its smoother texture and delicately sweet flavor. Swap it in 1:1 for cottage cheese for a more traditional Italian-American vibe, and your Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Every Family will be just as creamy and delicious.
Can I add vegetables to the casserole?
Definitely! Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or finely diced bell peppers can be stirred into the meat sauce or cheese layer without changing the baking time. It’s a super-tasty way to sneak in extra nutrition and color.
Is it possible to make Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Every Family ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the entire casserole up to a day in advance, cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
Can I use other types of pasta?
You bet! While spaghetti noodles are classic, you can use linguine, angel hair, or even penne if you’d like. Just be sure to cook your pasta al dente to avoid any mushiness once baked.
Does this recipe double well for larger gatherings?
This dish is fantastic for potlucks or bigger crowds and can easily be doubled (use two pans or a large roasting dish). Just keep an eye on the baking time, as a deeper casserole may need a little extra time to heat through and get that cheese nice and bubbly.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to dig into Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Every Family and see why it earns its name bite after cheesy bite. Cozy, comforting, and full of flavor, this recipe is ready to make your family dinner table the happiest place to be. Try it out, and share it with the people you love most—everyone deserves a little pasta magic!
Print
Million Dollar Spaghetti: The Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Every Family Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and comforting flavors of Million Dollar Spaghetti with this ultimate family recipe. Layers of pasta, cheeses, meats, and sauce come together in a decadent baked casserole that is sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Spaghetti:
- 1 (8 oz) package spaghetti
Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb lean ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 (16 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
Cheese Mixture:
- ½ cup butter, sliced and divided
- 1 (8 oz) container cottage cheese
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 (8 oz) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brown the meat in a skillet over medium heat, drain grease, and stir in spaghetti sauce.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth.
- Layer Casserole: Place half the butter slices in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half the cooked spaghetti, spread half of the cheese mixture, add remaining spaghetti, top with remaining butter slices, pour meat-sauce mixture over the top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with shredded Cheddar, and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow to rest before serving.
Notes
- Slightly undercook the pasta to prevent sogginess when baked.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of Italian seasoning or substituting part of the beef with mild Italian sausage.
- This casserole freezes well and can be reheated in the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 587
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1238 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
