Million-Dollar Spaghetti (Print-Friendly Version)
Layered pasta with meat sauce, creamy cheese center, and melty topping - a perfect comfort food dish that feeds a crowd.
# Ingredients:
→ For the Pasta
01 -
16 oz spaghetti noodles
02 -
3 tablespoons butter, sliced
→ For the Meat Sauce
03 -
½ lb ground beef
04 -
½ lb Italian sausage
05 -
1 small onion, chopped
06 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
07 -
24 oz marinara sauce (reserve ½ cup for layering)
08 -
Salt and pepper, to taste
→ For the Cheese Layer
09 -
8 oz cream cheese, softened
10 -
¼ cup sour cream
11 -
1 cup cottage cheese (or ricotta)
→ Toppings
12 -
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
13 -
⅔ cup grated Parmesan cheese
# Steps:
01 -
Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 -
In a large skillet, cook ground beef and sausage until browned. Drain excess grease. Add chopped onion and garlic, cook until softened. Stir in marinara (reserve ½ cup for later). Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
03 -
In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until smooth.
04 -
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place half the butter slices in a greased 9×13” baking dish. Add half the spaghetti noodles. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over noodles. Layer remaining noodles on top, followed by remaining butter slices. Pour meat sauce over everything and spread evenly. Drizzle reserved marinara sauce over the top if desired. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top.
05 -
Bake uncovered for 30–40 minutes, until hot and bubbly. If cheese starts browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
06 -
Let sit for 10–15 minutes before serving for cleaner slices.
# Notes & Tips:
01 -
Want extra creaminess? Add more sour cream or a bit of heavy cream to the cheese mixture.
02 -
Swap cottage cheese with ricotta for a smoother texture.
03 -
Great make-ahead meal! Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.