Grandma’s Gold: Sumptuous Million-Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

Comfort meets luxury in this cheesy million-dollar spaghetti recipe that promises pure culinary magic.

Layers of melted cheese and rich sauce create an irresistible symphony of flavors.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing pasta masterpiece.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of creamy textures and savory goodness.

Hearty and indulgent, this dish turns simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Pasta lovers will fall head over heels for this cheesy sensation that transforms ordinary dinners into memorable feasts.

You won’t be able to resist diving fork-first into this spectacular spaghetti creation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 545 kcal

Servings: 9

All You Need For Million-Dollar Spaghetti

• Spaghetti Noodles: Tender pasta foundation that absorbs rich flavors and creates comforting texture.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth, tangy base that creates luxurious and velvety consistency.
• Sour Cream: Adds delightful tang and helps bind cheese mixture for extra creaminess.
• Cottage Cheese: Provides protein-rich, light texture and enhances overall creaminess.

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein that delivers robust flavor and satisfying meat element.
• Italian Sausage: Adds complex, spicy undertones and deepens sauce's savory profile.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato sauce that brings bright, zesty complement to rich meat.
• Onion: Aromatic base that provides sweet depth and foundational flavor.
• Garlic: Intense flavor booster that elevates entire dish's taste profile.

• Butter: Creates golden, crispy edges and adds rich, indulgent flavor.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating irresistible stretchy cheese layer.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, nutty finish and beautiful golden-brown top.

Tools You’ll Need For Million-Dollar Spaghetti

• Large Skillet: Perfect for browning meats and creating that rich, flavorful sauce.
• 9×13 Baking Dish: Essential for layering and baking the entire casserole.
• Medium Bowl: Ideal for mixing the creamy cheese blend smoothly.
• Colander: Necessary for draining pasta after cooking.
• Sharp Knife: Helps chop onions and garlic precisely.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

Steps To Cook Million-Dollar Spaghetti

• Prep the Pasta Bed

Boil spaghetti in generously salted water until perfectly tender. Drain and set aside.

• Create Meaty Magic

Brown ground beef and sausage in a skillet, removing extra grease. Toss in diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant. Pour marinara sauce, letting the mixture simmer and develop rich flavors.

• Whip Up Creamy Goodness

Blend cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese into a silky smooth mixture that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Layer Like a Pro

Warm the oven to 350F. Spread butter slices across the bottom of a baking dish. Nestle half the pasta, then generously spread the creamy cheese blend. Top with remaining pasta and butter slices. Pour meat sauce over everything, ensuring complete coverage. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan for a golden, cheesy finish.

• Bake to Perfection

Cook uncovered until the top turns golden and edges bubble enthusiastically. If cheese browns too quickly, shield with foil.

• Rest and Serve

Allow the casserole to settle for 10-15 minutes, ensuring clean, gorgeous slices when served.

Tips To Improve Million-Dollar Spaghetti

• Perfect Pasta Prep: Boil spaghetti just until al dente to prevent mushy texture and maintain a delightful bite in your casserole.
• Cheese Blend Magic: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smoother mixing and easier blending with other cheeses.
• Make-Ahead Miracle: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve – perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining.
• Dietary Swap Options: For a lighter version, use ground turkey instead of beef and sausage, or create a vegetarian option by replacing meat with plant-based crumbles or roasted vegetables.
• Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a subtle kick, or mix in Italian herbs like basil or oregano to elevate the flavor profile and make the dish more complex and interesting.

Ways To Serve Million-Dollar Spaghetti

• Family Dinner Hero: Serve this hearty casserole with a crisp green salad tossed in light vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy layers and cut through the meaty sauce.
• Bread Lover's Dream: Pair with warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious marinara and cheese mixture, creating the perfect complete meal.
• Wine & Dine Combo: Complement the robust flavors with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Zinfandel, which will enhance the savory meat sauce and bring out the dish's deep, comforting notes.
• Veggie Side Kick: Add roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus on the side to introduce a fresh, nutritious element that contrasts with the pasta's creamy texture.

Store Million-Dollar Spaghetti Properly

• Meal Preparation Magic: Slice and portion the casserole into individual servings before refrigerating for easy grab-and-go meals during busy weekdays.
• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and food safety when properly sealed.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Wrap individual portions or the entire casserole in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to freeze for up to 3 months, perfect for advance meal planning.
• Reheating Wisdom: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350F for 20-25 minutes, adding a splash of marinara sauce to prevent dryness and restore the original delicious moisture.

Cheesy Million-Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Million-dollar spaghetti blends Italian pasta traditions with hearty Midwestern comfort. Cheese-laden layers and rich meat sauce promise a memorable family dinner that satisfies deeply.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ⅔ cup (150 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• 24 oz (680 grams) marinara sauce
• 1 cup (226 grams) cottage cheese
• ½ lb (227 grams) ground beef
• ½ lb (227 grams) Italian sausage
• 16 oz (453 grams) spaghetti noodles
• 8 oz (227 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 3 tbsps (45 grams) butter, sliced
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) sour cream
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Submerge spaghetti strands in heavily salted boiling water, cooking until al dente. Drain completely and set aside for layering.
2. Meat Sauce Creation: Brown ground beef and sausage in a large skillet, draining excess fat. Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant, then blend with marinara sauce. Simmer the mixture to develop deep, robust flavors, reserving a small portion of sauce for final topping.
3. Cheese Mixture Fusion: Whisk cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until achieving a silky, homogeneous texture that will serve as a creamy interior layer.
4. Assembly and Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F. Arrange butter slices across baking dish bottom. Layer half the cooked spaghetti, spread the creamy cheese mixture evenly, then top with remaining pasta and additional butter slices.
5. Sauce and Cheese Topping: Pour meat sauce completely over layered pasta, ensuring thorough coverage. Drizzle reserved marinara and generously scatter mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses across the surface.
6. Baking Process: Bake uncovered until casserole becomes bubbling and cheese transforms into a golden, crispy crust. If cheese browns too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
7. Resting and Serving: Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest for several minutes, enabling flavors to harmonize and facilitating cleaner, more precise serving portions.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook spaghetti al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring it maintains a slight firmness when biting. Slightly undercook pasta by 1-2 minutes as it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Fat Management: Drain ground beef and sausage thoroughly to avoid a greasy final dish. Use a paper towel-lined colander to remove excess fat effectively.
• Cheese Mixing Technique: Bring cream cheese to room temperature before mixing to achieve a smoother, lump-free cheese blend. Whisk ingredients until completely integrated for a silky consistency.
• Baking Precision: Cover with foil if cheese browns too quickly, protecting the top while allowing the casserole to cook evenly. Let the dish rest 10-15 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 545
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 1000 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg