• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Cheese Curd In Paradise

  • Recipe Index
  • Weekly Meal Plan
  • The Serial Killer Cookbook
  • Contact Me!
  • Work with Me!
  • Legal/Privacy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Weekly Meal Plan
  • The Serial Killer Cookbook
  • Contact Me!
  • Work with Me!
  • Legal/Privacy
×

Home » pasta » Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Published: Feb 28, 2021 by Ashley Lecker · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Mix
Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
million dollar spaghetti casserole served

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is an easy weeknight meal everyone will love. Filled with ground beef, Italian sausage, pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese makes a hearty and delicious meal.

million dollar spaghetti casserole served

My Million Dollar Spaghetti casserole is a perfect hearty meal that my family loves. It is almost like a combination of baked spaghetti and lasagna.

This meal is budget-friendly, and makes a lot of food. The leftovers are amazing as well, and perfect for lunch the following day.

The sauce is made with jarred pasta sauce, ground beef, and Italian sausage. It is so flavorful and yummy. The casserole comes together super fast with a bed of cooked spaghetti, topped with a mixture of cottage cheese, sour cream, and mozzarella. Add the pasta sauce on top, a little more cheese, and pop it in the oven.

million dollar spaghetti casserole in casserole dish

Ingredients

  • Italian Sausage- I like to use a mild Italian sausage
  • Lean ground beef- Ground turkey or a 50/50 mixture can be used in place of the beef.
  • Pasta sauce - I use a simple jarred marinara sauce for my Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole.
  • Cottage cheese - I suggest 4% or 2% milk-fat cottage cheese.
  • Cream cheese - I like to use regular cream cheese, but light woks as well.
  • Sour cream - I like the flavor of regular sour cream versus light, but you could also use Greek yogurt.
  • Dried parsley
  • Garlic powder
  • Spaghetti- Thin spaghetti works well too, but I do not recommend a thinner pasta.
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Grated parmesan
million dollar spaghetti casserole served

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet meat. Drain fat from skillet. Stir in pasta sauce. Simmer 7-10 minutes. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, parsley and garlic powder.
  5. In a lightly sprayed 9x13-inch pan, add cooked pasta in the bottom of the dish. Spread cream cheese mixture over noodles. Pour meat sauce over noodles and top with mozzarella cheese and parmesan.
  6. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
  • prep photo
  • prep photo
  • prep photo
  • prep photo
  • prep photo
  • prep photo
  • prep photo
  • prep photo

Frequesntly Asked Questions

Can I use ricotta cheese?

Yes, substitute it for the cottage cheese on a 1:1 ratio.

Can I use penne pasta?

Yes, other shaped pastas like rigatoni or fusilli work as well.

Can I omit the Italian sausage?

Yes, the flavor will slightly change, but you do not have to use it. I would sub in additional ground beef.

Can I make Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole in advance?

Yes, I suggest making it no more than 24 hours in advance. Keep it covered and stored in the fridge. Once cooked the casserole is will last 3-5 days covered in the fridge.

Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes! I like to use a disposable baking dish when I plan to freeze this casserole. After it is assembled, wrap it in plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil.

What should I serve with this recipe?

I always serve with garlic bread and a garden or Caesar salad.

pasta on a fork

Looking For More Pasta Recipes?

Baked Feta Pasta

Muffuletta Casserole

One-Pot BLT Tortellini Skillet

Dan Dan Noodles with Beef

plated spaghetti

If you’ve tried my Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole or any other recipe on Cheese Curd In Paradise please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you! You can FOLLOW ME on:

PINTEREST

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

plated spaghetti with for
plated spaghetti

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 1 hr
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Italian Sausage
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 24 oz jar pasta sauce
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 lb spaghetti
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoon grated parmesan

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet meat. Drain fat from skillet. Stir in pasta sauce. Simmer 7-10 minutes. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, parsley and garlic powder.
  • In a lightly sprayed 9x13-inch pan, add cooked pasta in the bottom of the dish. Spread cream cheese mixture over noodles. Pour meat sauce over noodles and top with mozzarella cheese and parmesan.
  • Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Tried this recipe? I'd love to see it! Mention @CheeseCurdInParadise or tag #cheesecurdinparadise on Instagram!
million dollar spaghetti casserole served

All About the Noodles

  • Beef Coconut Curry Soup by Art of Natural Living
  • Easy Linguine with Clam Sauce by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
  • Edamame Noodle Salad by Karen's Kitchen Stories
  • Hot Garlic Noodles by Magical Ingredients
  • Japanese Pan Noodles with Steak by Making Miracles
  • Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole by Cheese Curd In Paradise
  • Savory Noodle Kugel by Palatable Pastime
  • Spicy Arrabbiata Zoodles by That Recipe
  • Tofu Lo Mein by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks


We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you're at it, join our Pinterest board, too!

Cheese Curd In Paradise uses affiliate links. These links are at no additional cost to the reader and/or user. However, Cheese Curd In Paradise will make commission is you click the link AND make a purchase.

This recipe was originally published in 2014 and was updated in 2021 for reader enhancement and enjoyment.

« Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Raisin Bran Muffins »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hezzi-D

    February 28, 2021 at 7:21 pm

    This looks delicious and easy! I love thaat you can make it in advance.

    Reply
  2. Sue Lau

    February 28, 2021 at 9:50 pm

    My family loves spaghetti casserole. I love how much easier than lasagna it is. Win-Win.

    Reply
  3. Radha

    February 28, 2021 at 11:05 pm

    This sounds perfect, delicious, and scrumptious! Love the idea that leftovers can be great for the next day lunch or dinner, we need that kind now and then.

    Reply
  4. Karen @Karen's Kitchen Stories

    March 01, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    Perfect for feeding a crowd! It sounds scrumptious.

    Reply
  5. Inger @ Art of Natural Liivng

    March 04, 2021 at 3:01 am

    Spaghetti in casserole form--genius!

    Reply
  6. Christie Campbell

    March 09, 2021 at 4:59 pm

    WOW! This looks off the charts delish! It's like lasagna but not really. And, well, we all know I LOVE lasagna!! Totally making this.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Hi, I am Ashley. I am a busy mom and wife working to make family, food, and life an adventure!

Search Cheese Curd In Paradise

Recent Posts

  • Pink Lemonade Sangria
  • Cinnamon Roll Muffins
  • Lemon Blueberry Upside Down Cake
  • Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup
  • Peppermint Cheesecake Dip

Copyright © 2023 · Cheese Curd In Paradise

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly
  • Print