Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

Introduction

Million Dollar Spaghetti is a comforting pasta casserole loaded with Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and a rich, creamy cheese filling. Topped with gooey mozzarella and baked to golden perfection, this dish is perfect for family dinners or feeding a hungry crowd.

Ingredients

• 1 pound uncooked spaghetti
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot)
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Cheese layer:
• 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 8 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F and position the rack in the top third.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, ricotta, Parmesan, garlic powder, and oregano. Stir until smooth and set aside.
3. Step 3: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and return to the pot.
4. Step 4: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage and chopped onion, breaking the meat into crumbles, for about 10 minutes until browned and cooked through.
5. Step 5: Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Spoon out any excess fat.
6. Step 6: Mix the sausage mixture into the pot with the cooked pasta and pour in the marinara sauce. Toss together until evenly coated.
7. Step 7: Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
8. Step 8: Spread the cheese mixture over the pasta layer, smoothing it out as best as possible.
9. Step 9: Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and spread evenly. Then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the casserole.
10. Step 10: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and broil for a few minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is bubbly and browned.
11. Step 11: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into portions. Season with salt and pepper if desired and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute ground beef or a 50/50 mix with the sausage if preferred.
• Increase red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage for more heat.
• Try cottage cheese in place of ricotta or add mozzarella to the cheese layer for a different texture and flavor.
• Use a blend of mozzarella and cheddar for the topping to mix up the cheese flavor.
• Assemble the casserole up to a day ahead and refrigerate before baking — you may need to add extra baking time for a hot center.
• Freeze assembled (covered tightly) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before baking or bake from frozen with foil, then broil cheese at the end.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on low heat in a covered pan. This dish is best enjoyed fresh and does not freeze well once baked.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground beef instead of Italian sausage?

Yes, ground beef can be used alone or mixed with sausage to adjust the flavor to your preference.

How do I soften cream cheese quickly?

Microwave the cream cheese for 20-30 seconds to soften it quickly or let it sit at room temperature for a couple of hours before using.

Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

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4.5 from 69 reviews

A comforting and cheesy baked spaghetti casserole loaded with Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and a rich, creamy cheese layer. This Million Dollar Spaghetti is topped with melty mozzarella and baked until bubbly golden perfection, making it a perfect crowd-pleaser and hearty meal.

• Author: reem
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Pasta Bake
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 pound uncooked spaghetti
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot)
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce (6 cups total)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt & pepper to taste

Cheese Layer

• 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 8 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and position the rack in the top third.
2. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, ricotta, parmesan, garlic powder, and oregano. Stir until smooth and set aside.
3. Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook spaghetti 2 minutes less than package instructions indicate. Drain and return pasta to the pot.
4. Cook Sausage Mixture: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook Italian sausage and chopped onion, breaking up the meat, for about 10 minutes until browned and cooked through. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute. Drain excess fat.
5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the sausage mixture and marinara sauce to the pot with pasta. Toss with tongs or spoons until evenly coated.
6. Assemble Casserole – Layer 1: Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture evenly into a 9×13 baking dish.
7. Cheese Layer: Spread the prepared cheese mixture evenly over the first layer of pasta. It does not have to be perfect.
8. Assemble Casserole – Layer 2: Add the remaining pasta and sauce mixture on top of the cheese layer and spread evenly.
9. Top with Mozzarella: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
10. Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
11. Broil: Remove the foil and broil for a few minutes until the cheese is bubbly and browned, watching closely to prevent burning.
12. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into portions. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.

Notes

• Use either ground sausage meat or remove the casing from sausages before cooking.
• Soften cream cheese quickly by microwaving it for 20-30 seconds if needed.
• Feel free to customize the cheese layer with different cheeses or herbs according to taste.
• This recipe is featured in the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials hardcover cookbook on page 46.
• The casserole can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated; add extra baking time when baking from chilled.
• Freeze assembled casserole tightly covered for up to 3 months. Thaw 24 hours in fridge before baking or bake longer if cooking from frozen.
• Do not put a frozen ceramic baking dish directly into the oven to prevent cracking.
• Serve with cheesy garlic bread, crusty bread, breadsticks, or a fresh side salad with dressings like Caesar or Balsamic.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 1-2 days and can be reheated in microwave or on stovetop covered.

Keywords: million dollar spaghetti, baked spaghetti, pasta casserole, Italian sausage pasta, cheesy pasta bake, comfort food, baked pasta