This is one of my youngest daughter’s most requested dishes because it feels like two of her favorites – spaghetti and lasagna. Mom likes it too because it’s simple and easy like spaghetti but gives off “I slaved all day on this” vibes like lasagna. It makes a ton which is a major plus because this Million Dollar Spaghetti is flat out fantastic reheated. This ain’t your basic spaghetti recipe. Whoever you feed it to will most definitely be asking you for the recipe. Watch and see.
There are a million versions out there so I created this one because I love meals that feel like homemade goodness but are made with easy to find and quick to throw together ingredients. Life is busy for all of us so if I can help you feed your family something incredible that didn’t feel like a chore, that’s what I’m here for!
Million Dollar Spaghetti Step-by-Step:
Ingredients
- 16 ounces uncooked spaghetti
- 1/4 cup butter (4 TBSP)
Meat Sauce
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 TBSP garlic powder
- 1 TBSP onion powder
- 1 TBSP Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup chopped onion (optional)
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 32 oz. jar of Rao’s Marinara sauce
Million Dollar Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese (bring to room temperature)
- 8 oz small curd cottage cheese
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 cup shredded parmesan (not grated)
- 1/4 tsp salt
Top Layer
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Butter a deep lasagna pan (you can use a standard 9×13 but you will be overflowing – I use the throw away pans often and just split this into two different pans!)
- Prepare Meat Sauce first by browning the 2 lbs of ground beef with the chopped onions, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. *save the Italian seasoning – we will get to that next! Once the meat is browned, drain it well and add the 1/4 c. shredded parmesan and Italian seasoning. Stir well and add the entire jar of Rao’s Marinara. Turn heat to low and let it simmer while the spaghetti noodles boil.
- Mix all of the ingredients for the Million Dollar Cheese Layer together in a bowl and set aside.
- Boil spaghetti in salted water until it is just short of being al dente. This is important because the spaghetti will continue to cook in the oven and we don’t want it to be mush! Drain noodles, return to pot, and toss in butter.
- In your buttered casserole dish, you are going to layer lasagna style
- 1st Layer – thin layer of meat sauce (use about 1/3 of your sauce)
- 2nd Layer – add half of the spaghetti noodles
- 3rd Layer – Spread all of the cheese mixture over the noodles
- 4th Layer – Spread the rest of the noodles over the cheese mixture
- 5th Layer – Spread the remaining meat sauce evenly over the noodles
- 6th Layer – top with the shredded mozzarella and shredded parmesan
- Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown.
You will often see me cooking in throw away pans and paper plates. Because who wants to cook AND then have to clean?! Ewww.
Notes/Hacks:
SHARE-WORTHY! This dish is perfect for sharing! I make it often when I need a meal for a friend in need! Throw in a Ceasar salad and some garlic bread & your friends will be singing your praises.
BULK FOOD PREP: If you love to make food ahead of time and have freezer meals to prepare in a pinch, this recipe is perfect for that! Make the full recipe but do not cook it. Cover well and store in freezer. I find if I wrap it really well, it keeps about 4 months. Be sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before you bake it.
*The throw away pans come in handy for freezer meals and sharing with friends so I buy these pans in bulk and use them for all the things!
PREP HACK: I will often prepare my meat sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge. I like to make the meat sauce on Sundays and store in the fridge until Monday or Tuesday when I plan to make this dish. It cuts down on my stress level AND the time it takes to get this on the table on a busy weeknight. Winning.
MODIFICATIONS: This recipe is next level when you substitute refrigerated ravioli or tortellini instead of spaghetti noodles. Just be sure to NOT cook them before layering them BUT do toss them in the butter (melted). The butter is a magic ingredient. Skipping it would be disastrous. Trust me.
Some people prefer to make this Million Dollar Spaghetti with Italian sausage. If that is a flavor you prefer, I’m not going to hold you back – go for it!
MEASURING YOUR FOOD ITEMS: If you don’t already own a food scale, you most definitely need one! I have this one and I love it! I don’t dirty up measuring cups if I don’t have to. Instead, I use a food scale, slap a big bowl on it, set it to the correct unit of measurement and start tossing ingredients in the bowl. It is perfect for the cheese layer in this recipe!
Tell Me About It…
One of my greatest joys in life is loving on people with food. I will insist on you trying a bite of whatever I make and I have been known to force feed people who don’t comply. Just kidding. Maybe…
Anywho, if you try this Million Dollar Spaghetti or any of my recipes, I need to know about it! I’ll be Insta-stalking looking for your creations so don’t forget to tag me!
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