Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

This million dollar spaghetti is made with a rich, creamy tomato sauce packed with beef flavor that’s simply irresistible.

Ingredients for Million Dollar Spaghetti

Here’s what you’ll need to prepare million dollar spaghetti:

• Spaghetti: An 8-ounce package of spaghetti should make about eight servings. 
• Beef: You’ll need a pound of lean ground beef. You can use a mix of ground beef and ground turkey, if you prefer. 
• Spaghetti sauce: Use a jar of store-bought spaghetti sauce or make your own marinara sauce at home. 
• Butter: Use a stick of sliced butter to prepare the pan and to add richness and flavor to the baked spaghetti. 
• Cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream: A mixture of cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream is essential for this decadent, creamy spaghetti sauce. 
• Cheese: Shredded Cheddar cheese is the perfect finishing touch for this million dollar spaghetti. 

How to Prepare Million Dollar Spaghetti

Below is the full recipe with detailed steps — but here’s a quick preview of the process when making million dollar spaghetti:

1. Boil the spaghetti in salted water, then drain and set it aside.
2. Cook the beef on the stove, drain the fat, and mix it with the spaghetti sauce.
3. Prepare the baking dish, spreading half of the cooked noodles on the bottom.
4. Layer with a creamy mixture of cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream.
5. Top with the remaining spaghetti and a bit of butter.
6. Pour the beef and sauce mixture over the noodles and spread it evenly.
7. Bake for 30 minutes, then top with cheese and bake until melted and bubbly.

Ideal Sides to Serve with Million Dollar Spaghetti

Explore our selection of Best Side Dishes to Complement Your Spaghetti Meal for tasty serving ideas. Here are a few irresistible suggestions you'll love:

• Classic Restaurant Caesar Salad 
• Great Garlic Bread 
• Roasted Garlic Lemon Broccoli 

Storing Million Dollar Spaghetti

Keep any leftover million dollar spaghetti in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. You can reheat it in the oven or microwave for a quick meal.

Tips and Praise from the Dinogo Community

“I was searching for a fresh take on a classic dish, and I found it with this recipe,” shares a member of the Dinogo community. “The addition of cream cheese really elevates the flavor!”

“The cream cheese adds a smooth, creamy taste while the pasta sauce gives it a nice kick,” says Lucky. “I switched things up by mixing my pasta directly with the cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream. This dish is perfect for both small families and large gatherings! It's now my go-to recipe!”

“This recipe is fantastic and so simple,” praises Amanda Comstock. “I added black olives and mushrooms to mine for an extra twist!”

Contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients List

• 1 (8 ounce) package spaghetti

• 1 pound lean ground beef

• 1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

• ½ cup butter, sliced - divided

• 1 (8 ounce) container cottage cheese

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

• ¼ cup sour cream

• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and gather all your ingredients together.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente, about 8 to 12 minutes. Drain the pasta well.

While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the beef, stirring occasionally, until browned and crumbled, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard the excess grease.

Transfer the beef mixture to a bowl and stir in the spaghetti sauce.

Place half of the butter slices in the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Then spread half of the cooked spaghetti over the butter.

In a bowl, combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream. Spread the mixture evenly over the spaghetti.

Top with the remaining spaghetti and place the rest of the butter slices on top.

Pour the ground beef mixture over the spaghetti and spread it out evenly.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Add the Cheddar cheese on top and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.

Enjoy your meal!

Nutritional Information (per serving)