Rich, creamy, cheesy, and unbelievably comforting—this Million Dollar Spaghetti tastes like a million bucks but is made with simple pantry ingredients. It’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.

🧺 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

Pasta & Meat Sauce

• 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or Italian sausage)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz / 680 g) marinara sauce
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Creamy “Million Dollar” Layer

• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
• ½ cup sour cream

Topping

• 2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Optional: fresh parsley

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook spaghetti until al dente.
3. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until browned.
2. Drain excess fat.
3. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
4. Stir in marinara sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
5. Simmer 5 minutes.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Layer

1. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, ricotta, and sour cream.
2. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

1. Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F.
2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Layer as follows:
   • Half of the spaghetti
   • All of the creamy mixture
   • Remaining spaghetti
   • Meat sauce on top
4. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.

Step 5: Bake

1. Cover loosely with foil.
2. Bake 25 minutes.
3. Remove foil and bake 10–15 minutes more until bubbly and golden.

Step 6: Rest & Serve

• Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
• Garnish with parsley if desired.

⭐ Pro Tips

• Don’t overcook spaghetti—it continues cooking in the oven
• Cream cheese should be fully softened for a smooth layer
• Letting it rest helps clean slices
• Tastes even better the next day

🔄 Easy Variations

• 🥓 Add cooked bacon to the creamy layer
• 🌶️ Add red pepper flakes for heat
• 🥬 Add spinach or mushrooms to the sauce
• 🧀 Swap ricotta for cottage cheese for a lighter option

❄️ Storage

• Refrigerator: 4–5 days
• Freezer: up to 3 months (bake from frozen, covered)

If you want, I can also share:

• 🍗 Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
• 🧀 Extra-cheesy version
• ⚡ Slow cooker version
• 🔥 Smaller-batch recipe

Just tell me 😄