Ah, the Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole—a rich, creamy, cheesy, and hearty baked pasta dish. It’s often called “million dollar” because it’s indulgent, comforting, and feeds a crowd! Here’s a classic version:
Ingredients (serves 6–8)
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef (or half beef, half Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti:
- Boil spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the meat mixture:
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until meat is cooked and onions are soft.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- Make the creamy mixture:
- In a separate bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and 2 cups cheddar cheese until smooth.
- Assemble the casserole:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large baking dish, layer the cooked spaghetti, then the meat sauce, then the creamy cheese mixture. Stir slightly to combine, but it doesn’t need to be perfect.
- Sprinkle extra cheddar and Parmesan on top.
- Bake:
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
- Serve:
- Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving. Perfect with a side salad or garlic bread.
This dish is super flexible—you can add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a bit of cooked bacon for extra richness.
If you want, I can give a “5-star creamy version with secret ingredient that makes it ultra-rich” that people actually call the best Million Dollar Spaghetti ever. Do you want that?
