If you're looking for a cozy, family-friendly dinner that’s easy to make and packed with flavor, this baked million dollar spaghetti recipe is for you. With layers of saucy pasta, a creamy cheese mixture, and plenty of melted mozzarella, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or a comforting weeknight meal!
For more weeknight dinner recipes, try our cajun jambalaya pasta and one pan sage butter chicken and orzo next!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make. Simple steps make this dish beginner friendly.
- Rich & Creamy Layers. The delicious layers of saucy pasta, creamy cheese filling, and melted mozzarella are simply irresistible!
- Customizable. Easily switch up the protein or add veggies to make it your own.
- Great for Meal Prep. Tastes even better the next day!
Important Ingredient and Substitution Notes
- Protein. Use ground turkey, beef, chicken, or Italian sausage. Plant-based crumbles or shredded rotisserie chicken also work well. Try our easy chicken spaghetti with rotel recipe next!
- Seasonings. A mix of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, fennel seed, salt, and pepper enhance the flavor. Fresh herbs like basil and oregano can be used for a brighter taste.
- Pasta. Traditional dried spaghetti works best, but penne, rotini, or gluten-free pasta can be substituted. Pasta lovers, try our BBQ chicken pasta next!
- Sauce. Marinara or spaghetti sauce keeps it simple and delicious. A homemade tomato sauce or a creamy Alfredo variation can add a twist.
- Cheese Mixture. A blend of cottage cheese, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and shredded mozzarella creates a rich texture. Sour cream can replace Greek yogurt, and ricotta can be swapped with mascarpone for extra creaminess.
- Aromatics. Yellow onion and garlic add depth to the dish, but shallots or green onions can be used for a milder flavor.
- Garnishes. Fresh parsley and parmesan cheese provide a finishing touch. Swap parsley with fresh basil or add red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Variations
- Swap the Protein – Try ground pork, plant-based crumbles, or even shredded chicken.
- Make It Spicy – Increase the red pepper flakes or add chopped jalapeños.
- Veggie Boost – Mix in mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers for added nutrition. Try our creamy cajun mushroom pasta next!
- Use Different Pasta – Penne, rotini, or even gluten-free pasta work well.
- Dairy-Free Option – Use plant-based cheeses and dairy-free yogurt alternatives.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1. Preheat the oven, butter your casserole dish, and sauté onions and garlic.
Step 2. Brown the ground meat with seasonings, then mix in a jar of pasta sauce.
Step 3. Boil the spaghetti until al dente, then toss with the other jar of sauce.
Step 4. Mix cottage cheese, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, mozzarella, and seasonings.
Step 5. Start with half the spaghetti, add the cheese mixture, top with remaining spaghetti, spread the meat sauce, and finish with mozzarella.
Step 6. Bake until golden and bubbly, then garnish. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the fridge before baking.
Absolutely! Wrap it tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, or microwave individual portions.
Storing and Reheating Instructions
- Refrigeration – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing – Freeze the entire dish or individual portions for easy meals.
- Reheating – Use the oven for best results or microwave for quick servings.
Tips for the Best Baked Spaghetti
- Use quality sauce. A good marinara or homemade sauce makes a difference.
- Undercook the pasta slightly. It will continue cooking in the oven.
- Drain the meat well. Prevents excess grease in the dish.
- Let it rest before serving. This helps the layers set for better slices.
- Customize the cheese. A mix of mozzarella, parmesan, and provolone adds wonderful flavor.
More Easy Dinner Recipes You Will Love!
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📖 Recipe
Million Dollar Spaghetti Bake
Ingredients
- Butter - for greasing dish
- 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground beef - chicken, turkey, or Italian sausage
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning - divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes - optional
- ½ teaspoon fennel seed - optional
- Salt - to taste
- Cracked black pepper - to taste
- 1 pound dried spaghetti
- 48 ounces marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce - 2 jars, divided
- 8 ounces cottage cheese - or ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese - divided
- Chopped fresh parsley and parmesan cheese for garnish - optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9 x 13“ casserole dish and set aside.
- Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet, add the chopped onion, and cook until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and break apart with a wooden spoon.
- Season the meat with 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper and continue to cook until no longer pink.
- Meanwhile, boil the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta then stir in 1 jar of pasta sauce, season with salt and pepper, and set aside
- Once the meat is browned, skim off excess fat if needed and stir in one jar of pasta sauce, and set the mixture aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk cottage cheese, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, 1 cup mozzarella, 1 teaspoon Italian, salt, and pepper until combined and set aside.
- Layer half the spaghetti mixture in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
- Spread the cottage cheese mixture evenly over top, followed by the remaining spaghetti.
- Spread the meat sauce over the spaghetti and top with the remaining mozzarella.
- Bake 35-45 minutes until lightly browned and bubbly.
Notes
- Use quality sauce. A good marinara or homemade sauce makes a difference.
- Undercook the pasta slightly. It will continue cooking in the oven.
- Drain the meat well. Prevents excess grease in the dish.
- Let it rest before serving. This helps the layers set for better slices.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Ashley
I could eat this everyday!