How does regular pasta become worthy of a name like million-dollar spaghetti? By combining pasta with the richness of cream cheese, ricotta and sour cream. Show your family that they’re worth a fortune by adding this baked spaghetti recipe to your weeknight dinner rotation. Regardless of your net worth, you can also make this dish for brunch, potlucks or a weekend family meal.
Ricotta cheese lovers, this one’s for you.
What is million-dollar spaghetti?
This dish earned the name of million-dollar spaghetti not because it’ll cost a fortune, but because it tastes so rich. The flavorful casserole layers velvety ricotta and cream cheese with cooked spaghetti and a simmered meat sauce.
The flavor of million-dollar baked spaghetti is much like that of lasagna. But the faster assembly and bake time means you can make your family feel like a million bucks any night of the week.
Million-Dollar Spaghetti Ingredients
- Dry spaghetti
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Garlic
- Spaghetti sauce
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cream cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Sour cream
- Green onions
- Shredded cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese blend
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the pasta
Cook the spaghetti in salted water according to the package directions until it’s al dente. Drain the spaghetti and set it aside.
Step 2: Cook the ground beef filling
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, crumble the ground beef into the pan, and sprinkle in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up large chunks of meat, for about 6 to 8 minutes until the beef is no longer pink. Drain the excess grease.
Stir the spaghetti sauce, salt and pepper into the pan with the cooked beef, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low; simmer the beef and sauce uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened.
Step 3: Prepare the cheese sauce
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 11×7-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
Use a fork to mash and mix the softened cream cheese, ricotta and sour cream in a small bowl. Sprinkle the diced green onions over the cheese mixture and fold them in. (Save a few green onions to sprinkle over the finished dish, if you want.)
Step 4: Layer in the pasta and cheese sauce
Spread the cooked spaghetti evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon the ricotta mixture over the spaghetti, and smooth it into an even layer.
Step 5: Add the meat sauce
Pour the beef mixture over the cheese layer, spreading it evenly from edge to edge.
Step 6: Finish with more cheese and bake
Sprinkle shredded cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese over the top of the meat sauce layer. Cover the pan with foil.
Bake the covered casserole for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the cheese on top is bubbling and beginning to brown. Sprinkle a few diced green onions over the top, and serve slices while they’re hot.
Million-Dollar Spaghetti Variations
- Switch noodles: Try swapping the spaghetti for another pasta type that’s sturdy enough to hold up under the layers, like ziti, rigatoni or rotini.
- Mix up the meat: You can also get creative with the meat in this recipe, adding ground sausage to the beef or using lighter ground turkey.
- Go vegetarian: Skip the meat and replace it with plant-based crumbles or sauteed mushrooms.
- Change the cheese: If you don’t care for ricotta, cottage cheese can be substituted or add goat cheese crumbles for more flavor.
- Make billion-dollar spaghetti: Create a super indulgent version by using full-fat ricotta, sour cream and cream cheese, then add shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan to the cheese on top for an extra melty final touch. Also, know what to add to spaghetti sauce make it taste homemade.
Million-Dollar Spaghetti Tips
Can you freeze million-dollar spaghetti?
Yes, this casserole is a fantastic choice to make as a freezer meal. Prepare the recipe all the way through Step 9, layering the ingredients in a baking dish or disposable aluminum pan. Cover the pan tightly with foil and freeze it for up to three months. Allow the casserole to thaw completely in the fridge, and then bake as usual until it’s hot all the way through.
Can you make million-dollar spaghetti ahead of time?
You can prepare this recipe ahead of time by layering everything in the baking dish, covering it tightly with foil and placing the unbaked casserole in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready, bake the million-dollar spaghetti casserole according to the recipe.
