Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti

Introduction

If you crave comfort food with layers of cheesy, saucy goodness, Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti is your answer. This dish puts a decadent twist on traditional spaghetti, creating a luscious casserole that’s creamy in the center, bubbling with melted cheese, and crowned with savory meat sauce.

Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, prepping a crowd-pleasing potluck offering, or planning dinner for guests, this baked spaghetti delivers stunning flavor and guaranteed satisfaction—without the fuss of fancy techniques.

Why Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti Is Irresistible

Unlike your typical spaghetti and meat sauce, this recipe layers tangy tomato sauce, perfectly seasoned meat, tender noodles, and a rich, creamy cheese mix (think cream cheese, ricotta, and mozzarella). The spaghetti bakes up golden on top with gooey cheese pulls, while staying ultra-moist in the middle. It’s pure comfort, elevated—a true show-stopper that brings everyone back for seconds.

Prepping the Components for Success

Start by getting perfectly chopped onions, garlic, or peppers to upgrade your sauce. For consistent, quick prep, a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper is a game-changer for dicing in seconds. Next, a nonstick skillet guarantees that your ground beef cooks evenly without sticking. The SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch delivers fuss-free browning and easy cleanup.

As your pasta boils, gather your cheeses and let the cream cheese soften. If you want ultra-smooth blending, a quick spin in the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender gets your cheese layer silkier than ever.

Layering and Baking: The Million Dollar Method

Once your components are prepped, it’s all about the layers. Spoon half the cooked spaghetti into your baking dish, then spread over the cheese mixture—followed by savory meat sauce and a blanket of shredded cheese. Repeat for one more show-stopping stack! To prevent sticking and guarantee easy serving, line your baking pan with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, 45 Square Feet.

Slide the dish into your oven and bake until the top is browned and bubbling. The aroma will tell you it’s nearly ready!

Serving and Storing for the Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser

Let the casserole rest before slicing to help the layers set. Serve with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired feast. Leftovers hold beautifully; portion slices into airtight Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for fast, fuss-free lunches.

This recipe yields a hearty dish that feeds 8–10 hungry diners—perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or sharing with friends.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

Each serving of Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti averages around 450–550 calories, depending on your meat and cheese choices. It’s a filling, celebratory dish best enjoyed as a main course.

Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti (Recap)

Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti fuses layers of creamy cheese, robust meat sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles into a rich, sliceable casserole. It’s simple enough for a weeknight, but impressive enough for guests. Expect rave reviews—and requests for the recipe!

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with a sheet of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll.
2. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up with a Farberware Professional Heat Resistant Nylon Meat and Potato Masher. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Pour in the marinara sauce. Simmer for 5–10 minutes; season with salt, pepper, and extra herbs to taste.
5. In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, and the egg. Mix until smooth (use a Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender for extra creaminess, if desired).
6. Layer half the cooked spaghetti in the baking dish. Spread half the cheese mixture on top, then half the meat sauce. Repeat with remaining spaghetti, cheese mix, and sauce. Sprinkle with reserved mozzarella and Parmesan.
7. Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley or basil and serve.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Enjoy pulling together this million-dollar comfort classic that everyone will love!