Million dollar spaghetti casserole is an easy family dinner that features layers of al dente spaghetti, meat sauce, and creamy cheeses! While the name may sound extravagant, this dish is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions! Each bite is a wonderful blend of savory, tangy, and rich flavors that will leave everyone craving for more!
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Looking for a crowd-pleasing dish that's easy to make but tastes like a million bucks? Look no further than this million-dollar spaghetti casserole! This simple yet impressive recipe takes an ordinary spaghetti dish to extraordinary heights.
With layers of flavorful meat sauce, melted cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta, it's a winning combination that will have everyone coming back for seconds! Get ready to impress your family and friends with this delicious and budget-friendly twist on classic comfort food.
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🥘 Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Ingredients
This incredibly easy spaghetti casserole only requires 12 basic ingredients! If you are not a fan of cottage cheese, you can substitute it with equal amounts of ricotta cheese.
- Spaghetti Noodles - 16 ounces of spaghetti noodles that are cooked, drained, and rinsed in cool water.
- Spaghetti Sauce - 48 ounces of spaghetti sauce that's divided into two equal portions.
- Olive Oil - 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).
- Yellow Onion - 1 cup of chopped yellow onion.
- Garlic - 1 tablespoon of minced garlic.
- Italian Sausage - 1-1½ pounds of sweet Italian sausage with the casing removed. You can also use mild or hot Italian sausage if preferred.
- Italian seasoning - 1 tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning that is divided into two equal portions.
- Cream Cheese - 8 ounces of cream cheese softened and at room temperature. You could also use a cream cheese substitute if desired.
- Cottage Cheese - 8 ounces of cottage cheese, or you can use ricotta cheese. Take a look at all of these cottage cheese substitutes for more ideas.
- Sour Cream - ¼ cup of sour cream or use a sour cream substitute.
- Mozzarella - 3 cups of mozzarella that's grated, divided into 1 cup and 2 cup portions.
- Butter - ½ cup of butter sliced into ½ tablespoon pats, then divided into two equal portions. You can also use a butter substitute. Keep in mind that by using any substitute, you may get different results.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make A Million-Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
One of the best things about this casserole is that it's so easy to prepare, whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen! Simply take out some measuring cups, measuring spoons, a grater set, a silicone spatula set, a large stockpot, a colander, and a 9x13 baking pan to get started!
This recipe will yield around 12 hearty servings! There's plenty for a large crowd to enjoy, plus you might even have some tasty leftovers for lunch the next day.
Cook Pasta & Prepare Casserole Ingredients
- Preheat. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook pasta. Heat a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the 16 ounces of spaghetti noodles. Cook pasta according to package instructions minus about 1-2 minutes for the perfect al dente texture.
- Drain pasta. Drain into a colander and return the cooked pasta to your pot. Add the first 1 jar or 24 ounces (3 cups) of 48 ounces of spaghetti sauce and combine. Set aside.
- Saute. Bring a large skillet to medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add 1 cup of yellow onion and saute until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the 1 tablespoon of garlic and continue sauteing for an additional 30 seconds to a minute.
- Brown sausage - Add 1-1½ pounds of sweet Italian sausage and the first half of the 1 tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning to the skillet, and cook until browned with no remaining pink. Drain the excess grease. Add the second 1 jar of 48 ounces of spaghetti sauce. Stir to combine and set aside.
- Combine cheese. Mash the softened 8 ounces of cream cheese so it will blend well with the additional cheese-filling ingredients. Once smooth, add the 8 ounces of cottage cheese, ¼ cup of sour cream, the first 1 cup of 3 cups of mozzarella, and the remaining half of the 1 tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning. Set aside.
Build Casserole & Bake
- Arrange casserole. Arrange half of the ½ cup butter slices in the bottom of your 9x13 baking dish. Place half of the spaghetti mixture in the dish, then evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture on top of the pasta.
- Finish adding ingredients. Spread the remaining second half of the spaghetti over the cheese mixture. Then place the remaining butter slices on top. Pour tomato meat sauce evenly over the top layer of spaghetti.
- Bake casserole. Top with remaining mozzarella and bake in preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until casserole is heated through about 40-45 minutes. *I suggest an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet under the pan to catch any drippings.
This hearty casserole is a filling main course on its own, but you can serve it with a few sides if you'd like! Try my simple Caesar salad or oven garlic bread. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
- Use 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon (4 quarts) of water. For more tips on cooking spaghetti to perfection, see my article on how long to cook spaghetti.
- You can substitute the cottage cheese for equal amounts of ricotta cheese if preferred.
- If you'd like to add some heat to this casserole dish, feel free to add a pinch of crushed red pepper or use diced jalapenos.
- While this recipe traditionally calls for mozzarella, you can try using different types of cheese, like cheddar or Monterey Jack, if desired.
- If you want to add vegetables to this casserole, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach can add extra flavor and nutrition!
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Once completely cooled, transfer any leftover spaghetti casserole to an airtight container. Store in your refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
After baking, allow your casserole to cool completely. If you plan on freezing individual portions, wrap each piece with plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil. Then place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag or freezer-safe containers. Alternatively, you can freeze larger amounts in a freezer-safe baking dish with a lid for up to 3-4 months. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and follow the reheating instructions below.
Reheating Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and transfer your leftovers to a baking dish. Cover loosely with a sheet of aluminum foil and cook for about 20-30 minutes or until heated through to your liking. *If the casserole appears dry, add a bit of spaghetti sauce before reheating. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave in 30-second increments.
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❓ FAQ
Absolutely! You can either omit the Italian sausage in the recipe or substitute it with your favorite plant-based protein alternative!
Yes! You can prepare this million-dollar spaghetti casserole up to 24 hours ahead of time. Simply follow the recipe instructions up until the point of baking and allow the casserole ingredients to cool completely. Then cover the top of the 9x13 baking pan with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake and serve.
If your million-dollar spaghetti casserole turned out dry, it be could a result of a few things. Overcooking the spaghetti before assembling the casserole can result in a dry texture. It's important to stop cooking them about 1-2 minutes before the completed time on the package instructions, as they will continue to cook in the oven. Also, if you didn't have enough sauce or the ratio of sauce to spaghetti was off, it could lead to dryness.
🍲😋 More Tasty Casserole Recipes
- Chicken Tater Tot Casserole - A comforting casserole dish that combines tater tots, chicken, and a creamy sauce!
- Mexican Lasagna - A delicious family dinner that features ground beef, black beans, shredded cheese, corn tortillas, and more!
- Million Dollar Chicken Casserole - A rich, creamy, and satisfying chicken dinner with a buttery Ritz cracker crust!
- Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole - An easy-to-prepare main course that's loaded with ground beef, hashbrowns, veggies, and melted cheese!
- Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef - A hearty vegetable casserole that can be served as a main course or as a side dish to any meal!
- Ritz Chicken Casserole - An incredibly easy chicken casserole that will be a huge hit with anyone that tries it!
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📋 Recipe
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 oz spaghetti noodles (cooked, drained, and rinsed in cool water)
- 48 oz spaghetti sauce (divided into two equal portions)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
- 1 cup yellow onion (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 1-1½ lbs sweet Italian sausage (casing removed, or use mild or hot Italian sausage)
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning (divided into two equal portions)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened, at room temperature)
- 8 oz cottage cheese (or use ricotta cheese)
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 3 cups mozzarella (grated, divided into 1 cup and 2 cup portions)
- ½ cup butter (sliced into ½ tablespoon pats, then divided into two equal portions)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Heat a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the 16 oz spaghetti noodles. Cook pasta according to package instructions minus about 1-2 minutes for the perfect al dente texture.
- Drain into a colander and return the cooked pasta to your pot. Add the first 1 jar or 24 ounces (3 cups) of 48 oz spaghetti sauce and combine. Set aside.
- Bring a large skillet to medium heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add 1 cup yellow onion and saute until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the 1 tablespoon garlic and continue sauteing an additional 30 seconds to a minute.
- Add 1-1½ lbs sweet Italian sausage and the first half of the 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning to the skillet, and cook until browned with no remaining pink. Drain any excess grease. Add the second 1 jar of 48 oz spaghetti sauce. Stir to combine and set aside.
- Mash the softened 8 oz cream cheese so it will blend well with the additional cheese filling ingredients. Once smooth, add the 8 oz cottage cheese, ¼ cup sour cream, the first 1 cup of 3 cups mozzarella, and the remaining half of the 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning. Set aside.
- Arrange half of the ½ cup butter slices in the bottom of your 9x13 baking dish. Place half of the spaghetti mixture in the dish, then evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture on top of the pasta.
- Spread the remaining second half of the spaghetti over the cheese mixture. Then place the remaining butter slices on top. Pour tomato meat sauce evenly over the top layer of spaghetti.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and bake in preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until casserole is heated through, about 40-45 minutes. *I suggest an aluminum foil lined baking sheet under the pan to catch any drippings.
Equipment You May Need
Notes
- Use 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon (4 quarts) of water. For more tips on cooking spaghetti to perfection, see my article on how long to cook spaghetti.
- You can substitute the cottage cheese for equal amounts of ricotta cheese if preferred.
- If you'd like to add some heat to this casserole dish, feel free to add a pinch of crushed red pepper or use diced jalapenos.
- While this recipe traditionally calls for mozzarella, you can try using different types of cheese like cheddar or Monterey Jack if desired.
- If you want to add vegetables to this casserole, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach can add extra flavor and nutrition!
- To store: Once completely cooled, transfer any leftover spaghetti casserole to an airtight container. Store in your refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- To freeze: After baking, allow your casserole to cool completely. If you plan on freezing individual portions, wrap each piece with plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil. Then place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag or freezer-safe containers. Alternatively, you can freeze larger amounts in a freezer-safe baking dish with a lid for up to 3-4 months. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and follow the reheating instructions below.
- To reheat: To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and transfer your leftovers to a baking dish. Cover loosely with a sheet of aluminum foil and cook for about 20-30 minutes or until heated through to your liking. *If the casserole appears dry, add a bit of spaghetti sauce before reheating. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave in 30-second increments.
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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