Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is a creamy, comforting baked pasta dish combining tender spaghetti, flavorful ground beef marinara, and a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and ricotta. Topped with mozzarella and Parmesan and baked to bubbly perfection, it’s a perfect family-friendly main course for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 oz spaghetti
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or spaghetti sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
Toppings & Seasoning
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pasta: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Cook Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with diced onion until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is softened, about 7-8 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix Cheese Layer: In a separate mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and ricotta cheese until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble Casserole: Place half of the cooked spaghetti evenly into the prepared baking dish. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Top with the remaining spaghetti. Dot the top evenly with the butter cubes. Pour the meat sauce over the top spaghetti layer, spreading it out evenly. Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over all.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley for freshness and color.
Notes
- You can substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if you prefer a lighter texture.
- This casserole freezes well—assemble completely, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. When ready, bake from frozen or thawed, adjusting baking time accordingly.
- Add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce if you like a bit of heat in your casserole.
