Cheesy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Difficulty: Easy
Calories per Serving: ~550 kcal

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Description

This Cheesy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Layers of tender spaghetti, rich meat sauce, creamy cheese filling, and melted mozzarella create a dish so indulgent, it’s worth a million bucks. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep—this casserole is always a crowd-pleaser!

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Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or ground turkey)

• 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (mild or hot)

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce

• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes (undrained)

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Cheese Layer:

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup (240g) sour cream

• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 cup (115g) shredded mozzarella cheese

For the Casserole:

• 12 oz (340g) spaghetti noodles

• 2 cups (230g) shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)

• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter.

Step 2: Cook the Spaghetti

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

• Cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions (al dente).

• Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Meat Sauce

• In a large skillet, cook ground beef and Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat.

• Add onion and garlic, sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

• Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

• Simmer for 5-7 minutes, then remove from heat.

Step 4: Prepare the Cheese Mixture

• In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, and mozzarella until smooth.

Step 5: Assemble the Casserole

1. Layer 1: Spread half of the cooked spaghetti in the baking dish.

2. Layer 2: Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.

3. Layer 3: Add the remaining spaghetti.

4. Layer 4: Pour the meat sauce over the top and spread evenly.

5. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Step 6: Bake

• Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.

• Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.

• Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Step 7: Garnish & Serve

• Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot!

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Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

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Tips & Variations

✅ Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
✅ Freezer-Friendly: Freeze unbaked casserole for up to 3 months (thaw before baking).
✅ Add Veggies: Mix in sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for extra nutrition.
✅ Spice It Up: Use hot Italian sausage or extra red pepper flakes for a kick.

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Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is the ultimate comfort food masterpiece—creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor! Whether for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Enjoy! 😋🍝