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Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole has so much delicious cheese, ground Italian sausage and tons of flavor for the best meal. This savory meal comes together in minutes but is special enough for company. Add a simple salad and you are set!

A million dollar spaghetti casserole is shown in a rectangular dish, topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped parsley. A serving spoon is lifting a portion of the casserole. In the background, you can see fresh tomatoes on a vine and a small bowl of grated cheese.
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Spaghetti is always a hit but sometimes you want to jazz it up a little bit. This Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe is the answer. All of the delicious types of cheese combine with the tomato sauce, pasta and meat for one amazing meal.

Each bite is so creamy and delicious that everyone will love it. Your entire family will enjoy this easy main dish recipe. Casseroles are perfect to feed a crowd, try these other casserole recipesChicken Spaghetti Casserole, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, and Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole.

Why We Love This Recipe

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is perfect for any occasion. Anytime that I have leftover pasta and cooked Italian Sausage or Ground beef, this is the recipe I make.

The delicious layers make the best casserole with simple ingredients. Everyone loves the way it taste. Put a twist on a classic spaghetti recipe but making it in a casserole.

Ingredients

An arrangement of ingredients for a million dollar spaghetti recipe on a white countertop. Items include ground meat, shredded cheese, tomato sauce, spaghetti, butter, minced garlic, sour cream, ricotta cheese, chopped onions, and dried herbs.
  • Ground Sweet Italian Sausage – You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken
  • Spaghetti Noodles – We think spaghetti noodles are best, but you can also use ziti or rigatoni
  • Onion, Diced – See Best Onion Substitute if you are out
  • Minced Garlic – If using fresh garlic cloves, learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
  • Italian Seasoning – Use Homemade Italian Seasoning
  • Crushed Tomatoes – You can also use Easy Marinara Sauce
  • Ricotta Cheese – Substitute with cottage cheese
  • Cream Cheese – Use softened cream cheese

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

  • Step 1 – First, preheat the oven to 350°F.
A clear glass measuring cup filled with tomato sauce is topped with a mixture of dried herbs, evoking the flavors of a million dollar spaghetti recipe. The cup is placed on a white surface next to a green and white striped cloth.

Step 2 – In a medium size mixing bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes with 2 tsp of Italian Seasoning.

A glass bowl filled with shredded cheese, mayonnaise, and seasoning is being mixed with a green spatula. The bowl is placed on a light-colored surface next to a green and white striped cloth, reminiscent of the million dollar spaghetti recipe's rich ingredients.

Step 3 – In a separate mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and the remaining Italian Seasoning.

A skillet filled with cooked ground meat topped with tomato sauce, resembling a hearty million dollar spaghetti recipe, with a wooden spoon resting inside the skillet. Next to the skillet is a green and white striped towel, all set on a light-colored countertop.

Step 4 – Brown the sausage with the minced garlic and onion in a large skillet over medium heat.  Drain off the excess grease. Then stir in half the tomato sauce mixtures.

A stainless steel pot filled with cooked spaghetti intertwined with rich marinara sauce sits on a light gray surface. A wooden spoon rests in the pot, hinting at the secret to this million dollar spaghetti recipe. A green and white striped cloth is partially visible to the side.

Step 5 – Boil the spaghetti noodles based on the package directions in a large pot of salted water.  Drain and return back to the pan.  Mix with the remaining meat sauce mixture.

A rectangular white baking dish filled with a creamy, white mixture on top of layered ingredients. This million dollar spaghetti recipe is placed on a light gray surface next to a green and white striped fabric. The edges of the baking dish have handles.

Step 6 – Place half of the butter slices on the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish.  Top with half of the spaghetti mixtures, then spread the cheese mixture on top.

A rectangular white baking dish filled with cooked spaghetti and topped with six small squares of butter, showcasing a million dollar spaghetti recipe. The dish is placed on a light gray surface next to a folded, striped green and white kitchen towel.

Step 7 – Next top the cheese mixture with the remaining spaghetti noodles and place the remaining butter slices on top of the 2nd layer of noodles.

  • Step 8 – Pour the meat mixture sauce evenly over the top and top with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes.
  • Step 9 – Slice and enjoy with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley!

Expert Tips

  • Prepare Veggies – One of our favorite time saving tips is to use a small food chopper or food processor to quickly and easily chop onions. Learn and  how to freeze onions and also how to freeze peppers to save so much time in the kitchen! Lots of the recipes we cook call for onions and peppers so this is such a great time tip that we use frequently.
  • Ground Beef – Cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excessive grease. This is a great recipe to use leftover ground beef.
  • Pasta – Cook the spaghetti noodles al dente or according to package. Make sure to no overcook as they spaghetti noodles will be put in the oven so you do not want them to get mushy. This is a great recipe to use leftover pasta noodles.
A white rectangular baking dish filled with a freshly baked million dollar spaghetti casserole topped with melted cheese and chopped herbs. Surrounding the dish are sprigs of parsley, whole tomatoes, a dish of shredded cheese, and a green striped kitchen towel.

Serving Suggestions

We like to serve it with a simple side salad or Easy Broccoli.  Also, we love Garlic Bread Cheese Sticks Recipe. These are perfect to dip in the yummy spaghetti sauce. You can get every last drop of that delicious sauce.

A Easy Caesar Salad Recipe and Homemade Garlic Bread is my favorite way to serve this meal to a crowd.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Best Pan to Make Spaghetti Casserole?

The best pan to use is a  9×13 casserole dish  to bake the spaghetti in.  Amazon has some on sale right now!

Can I Make Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can prepare the spaghetti casserole ahead of time and place in the fridge. We recommend baking the casserole within about 24 hours of preparing it.

How to Store Leftover Spaghetti Casserole

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Can I Freeze Spaghetti Casserole?

Yes, you can freeze spaghetti casserole by wrapping in plastic wrap and aluminum foil in the disposable plan. If stored properly the casserole will last about 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to reheat.

A close-up of a baked spaghetti dish in a rectangular white dish. A serving is being lifted out with a metal spatula, showcasing layers of spaghetti, meat sauce, and melted cheese sprinkled with chopped parsley. Fresh parsley and tomatoes are in the background. It's the perfect million dollar spaghetti recipe.

More Easy Spaghetti Recipes

We love hearing from you. If you make Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

A serving of cheesy baked spaghetti is being lifted from a white casserole dish with a spatula. The million dollar spaghetti recipe features melted cheese and is garnished with chopped parsley. Fresh tomatoes and herbs are visible in the background.

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

4.83 from 40 votes
Million dollar spaghetti recipe has so much delicious cheese, ground Italian sausage and tons of flavor. This savory meal comes together in minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8
Cuisine Italian
Course Main Course
Calories 815

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • In a medium size mixing bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes with 2 tsp of Italian Seasoning.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and the remaining Italian Seasoning.
  • Brown the sausage with the minced garlic and onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off the excess grease.
  • Then stir in have the tomato sauce mixtures.
  • Cook the spaghetti noodles based on the package directions. Drain and return back to the pan. Mix with the remaining tomato sauce mixture.
  • Place half of the butter slices on the bottom of a 9X13 pan. Top with half of the spaghetti mixtures, then spread the cheese mixture on top. Next top the cheese mixture with the remaining spaghetti noodles and place the remaining butter slices on top of the 2nd layer of noodles. Pour the meat mixture sauce evenly over the top and top with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes.
  • Slice and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Calories 815kcal, Carbohydrates 47g, Protein 30g, Fat 56g, Saturated Fat 29g, Cholesterol 160mg, Sodium 911mg, Potassium 410mg, Fiber 2g, Sugar 4g, Vitamin A 1246IU, Vitamin C 2mg, Calcium 352mg, Iron 2mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

4.83 from 40 votes (31 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Carrie Barnard says:

    Woohoo! Thank you for sharing!

  2. KELLIE EAGLE says:

    5 stars
    Made it for dinner tonight after work. It was so easy and our favorite now

  3. Carrie Barnard says:

    Each can is 15 ounces for a total of 45 ounces.

  4. Sybil says:

    It was fantastic. Will always make it this way

  5. Lori Burnside says:

    I have a question about the crushed tomatoes. Is it 15 oz total, or 3 cans of 15 oz tomatoes for a total of 45 oz?

  6. Kathy says:

    5 stars
    WONDERFUL RECIPE!! I MAY NEVER MAKE REGULAR SPAGHETTI AGAIN!! EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY LOVES IT! THANKS FOR SHARING!

  7. Kathy says:

    5 stars
    This is so good! The flavors are so wonderful. It’s like paradise for your mouth!!!

  8. S. Marsh says:

    5 stars
    I made this for 50 people at church. Easy and people came back for more. Will make this one again.

  9. Carrie says:

    You can do either but I freeze before baking, then defrost is out overnight in the refrigerate and bake when I’m ready to serve it.

  10. Brooke says:

    5 stars
    One question. When freezing, do you put the recipe together, cover it and put it in the freezer without baking? OR do you completely bake, then freeze to simply reheat later? What’s better?

  11. Amanda Fields says:

    4 stars
    This is a favorite in my household!

  12. Dee Austin says:

    5 stars
    This is my go to for making meals for mealtrains. It is simple, yet delicious. I end up making one for the family in need and my family! It also freezes well!

  13. Donna Whiting says:

    5 stars
    It was delicious and economical to make. We loved it

  14. Faith says:

    5 stars
    Love this one! I’ve made this a few times for families who have just had babies and they were delighted. This is also an easy recipe to freeze for later. Great for feeding a hungry crowd! Guaranteed your guests will be going up for seconds.