Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole – The Ultimate Comfort Food! 🍝🧀
This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is the creamy, cheesy, meaty pasta bake of your dreams! With layers of tender spaghetti, rich meat sauce, and a luxurious cream cheese-ricotta filling, topped with melty mozzarella, this dish earns its name—it tastes like a million bucks but is easy enough for weeknight dinners!
Perfect for family meals, potlucks, or meal prep, this casserole is comfort food at its finest. Let’s dig in!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Insanely cheesy & creamy – The ricotta & cream cheese layer is everything.
✅ Feeds a crowd – Great for family dinners or gatherings.
✅ Easy to make – Just layer, bake, and enjoy!
✅ Freezer-friendly – Make ahead for easy meals.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Pasta & Meat Sauce:
- 12 oz spaghetti 🍝 (or your favorite pasta)
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage for extra flavor)
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce 🍅 (or homemade)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
For the Creamy Cheese Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (makes it extra rich!)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (for creaminess)
- ½ cup sour cream (adds tang)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀 (for savory depth)
For Topping:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 🧀 (because more cheese = better)
- 2 tbsp butter, melted (for a golden finish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Spaghetti
- Boil spaghetti al dente (slightly firm), drain, and set aside.
2️⃣ Prepare the Meat Sauce
- In a skillet, brown ground beef with garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Drain excess grease, then stir in marinara sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.
3️⃣ Make the Cheese Mixture
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, and Parmesan until smooth.
4️⃣ Assemble the Casserole
- Layer 1: Spread half the cooked spaghetti in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer 2: Spread ALL the cheese mixture over the spaghetti.
- Layer 3: Add the remaining spaghetti.
- Layer 4: Pour the meat sauce evenly on top.
- Final Touch: Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and drizzle with melted butter.
5️⃣ Bake to Golden Perfection
- Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake 10-15 more minutes until bubbly and golden.
6️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
- Let cool 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Tips for the Best Casserole
🍝 Don’t overcook the pasta – It will soften more while baking.
🧀 Use full-fat cheeses for the creamiest texture.
🔥 Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end for extra browning.
💡 Make ahead – Assemble, refrigerate, and bake when ready!
Delicious Variations
🌶️ Spicy Version – Add red pepper flakes or spicy Italian sausage.
🍗 Chicken Alfredo Twist – Swap beef for chicken and use Alfredo sauce.
🥦 Veggie-Packed – Stir sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini into the meat sauce.
🧀 Extra Cheesy – Add a layer of provolone under the mozzarella.
How to Store & Reheat
- Fridge: Keep covered for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months (thaw before reheating).
- Reheat: Microwave single portions or bake at 350°F until warmed through.
Final Thoughts
This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—rich, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or bringing it to a potluck, this dish never disappoints!
Make it tonight and taste why it’s worth a million bucks! 💰🍝
Tried this recipe? Let us know how it turned out in the comments! 😍👇
