Go Back
Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe is pure comfort food magic. This dish tastes like a million bucks. It combines creamy cheese layers with rich meat sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 10
Calories 520 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large skillet for meat sauce
  • Wooden spoon for stirring
  • Mixing bowl for cheese mixture
  • Aluminum foil for covering
  • Colander for draining pasta

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound spaghetti noodles
  • 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ stick butter melted

Instructions
 

  • Boil water in your large pot.
  • Add salt to the boiling water.
  • Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
  • Drain the pasta when it's done.
  • Set it aside for later use.
  • Brown the ground beef in a skillet.
  • Add Italian sausage and cook thoroughly.
  • Drain excess fat from the meat.
  • Add minced garlic and cook one minute.
  • Pour in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning.
  • Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
  • Mix cream cheese and sour cream together.
  • Add cottage cheese to the bowl.
  • Stir until everything is well combined.
  • The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
  • This creates that million dollar taste.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F now.
  • Spread melted butter in the baking dish.
  • Add half the cooked spaghetti first.
  • Spread the entire cheese mixture on top.
  • Add remaining spaghetti as the next layer.
  • Pour all the meat sauce over everything.
  • Top with mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese.
  • Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
  • Bake for 30 minutes while covered.
  • Remove foil and bake 15 more minutes.
  • The cheese should be bubbly and golden.
  • Let it rest for 10 minutes.
  • This helps the layers set properly.

Notes

  • Use full-fat dairy products for richness.
  • They create the creamiest cheese layer possible.
  • Don't skip softening the cream cheese first.
  • Room temperature cheese mixes much more easily.
  • Let the meat sauce simmer longer.
  • More simmering time equals deeper flavor.
  • You can add red pepper flakes too.
  • They give a nice little kick.
  • Cook pasta just until al dente.
  • It continues cooking in the oven.
  • Overcooked pasta becomes mushy in the dish.
  • Make this dish one day ahead.
  • The flavors blend together beautifully overnight.
  • Just reheat before serving to guests.
  • Use freshly shredded cheese when possible.
  • Pre-shredded cheese doesn't melt as smoothly.
  • Fresh cheese makes a bigger difference.
Keyword Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe