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A serving of million dollar spaghetti on a white plate.
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5 from 1 vote

Million Dollar Spaghetti Bake

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!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Calories: 415kcal
Author: Ashley Boyd

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 415kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 680mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g