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My Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe is made with tender pasta layered with a flavorful, meat sauce and a creamy cheese mixture, then baked to golden brown perfection. A comforting meal that does taste like a million bucks!
You may also like my Spaghetti casserole recipe or my Cheeseburger Casserole.
I love pasta and I love spaghetti even more. I am always thinking of easy ways to make life easier. My Million dollar spaghetti is the perfect combination of lasagna and spaghetti. The layers of spaghetti noodles, delicious meat sauce and a creamy cheese blend make for the BEST Italian casserole. It’s always a good day when baked pasta is on the menu, whether it’s baked tomato feta pasta, baked macaroni, and cheese, or this incredibly delicious spaghetti casserole.
Recipe Summary
- So comforting: Not only is million-dollar spaghetti over-the-top delicious, but it’s also nice and filling. Plus, a warm bowl of this pasta is total comfort food!
- Kid-friendly: kids will love this dish. I bet they will be begging for seconds!
- Versatile: There are many ways to serve this meal and make it your own. It’s great served alone or with some crusty bread and a salad. You could also change up the meat to include ground beef instead of chicken or turkey.
Ingredients Needed
To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients (amounts included in the recipe card further down this post)
- Spaghetti: I like to use whole wheat spaghetti for an extra boost of fiber, but any spaghetti noodles will work. Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish completely gluten-free friendly.
- Pasta sauce: You can try my homemade marinara sauce or grab your favorite brand from the store.
- Olive oil: For sautéing the onion and garlic and browning the meat. Avocado oil also works.
- Onion and garlic: Chopped yellow onion and garlic for wonderful savoriness.
- Ground meat: This recipe calls for either ground chicken or ground turkey, but you can use any ground meat you prefer.
- Seasonings: A simple blend of Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and pepper adds delicious flavor.
- Cottage cheese: Makes the cheese layer super creamy while adding extra protein!
- Cheese: A mix of parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese are flavorful and perfectly melty.
How to make million dollar spaghetti
- Boil noodles: Cook the pasta according to package direction, until just cooked to al dente. Drain well and return to the pot. Stir in the pasta sauce.
- Sauté the onion and garlic: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic for 5 minutes.
- Cook the meat: Add the ground meat and continue to cook, mincing the meat with a wooden spoon.
- Season: Once the meat is no longer pink, sprinkle it with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook just until it starts to brown.
- Make the cheese mixture: Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk the cottage cheese, parmesan, and 1 cup of mozzarella.
- Assemble: Spread half of the spaghetti in a rectangular baking dish. Top with half of the cheese mixture, and half of the cooked meat, then repeat the layers. Sprinkle with the remaining shredded mozzarella.
- Bake: Place in a preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.
My Pro Tip
Helpful Tips
- Cook pasta al dente: Do not overcook the pasta because it will also bake in the oven.
- Cheese: For the shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese, we recommend using freshly grated cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains stabilizers and anti-caking agents. Also, high-quality cheeses will melt better and add wonderful flavor to this dish.
- Let sit: Once this pasta bake comes out of the oven, it’s best to let it rest for at least 10 to 15 minutes so it has time to set and won’t fall apart when serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
To really bring a depth of flavor to any spaghetti dish, try adding sautéed onion and garlic, your favorite spices, and even fresh herbs.
If you would like to swap the cottage cheese for something else, try using an equal amount of ricotta cheese.
We love to serve baked pasta recipes with fresh green salads. Salads are light and make a great complement to the rich and hearty pasta. And don’t forget the garlic bread!
Storage Recommendations
Million-dollar spaghetti is delicious leftover and makes a fabulous ready-to-go lunch or dinner the next day. Here is how to store it, so it stays fresher longer:
- In the refrigerator: Place leftovers in an airtight container or cover the dish you baked it in with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Because of the cheese and cottage cheese in this recipe, I don’t recommend freezing it. Once thawed, the cheesy layer won’t have the best texture.
More Spaghetti Recipes
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Note: I edited this post in October 2024 to add an easy-to-follow video that could be helpful for some of you.
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Equipment
- baking dish
- medium bowl
- spatula
- non stick skillet
Ingredients
- 10 ounces whole wheat spaghetti
- 28 ounces pasta sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground turkey, or chicken
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup ground parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cook the 10 ounces whole wheat spaghetti according to package directions until just cooked to al dente. Drain well and return to the pot. Stir in the 28 ounces pasta sauce.
- Heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the 1 medium yellow onion (chopped) and minced 4 cloves garlic for 5 minutes.
- Add the 1 pound ground turkey or chicken and continue to cook, mincing the meat with a wooden spoon.
- Once the meat is no longer pink, sprinkle it with 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, Salt and pepper. Cook just until it starts to brown.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk the 8 ounces cottage cheese, 1/2 cup ground parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of the 2 cups shredded mozzarella.
- Spread half of the spaghetti in a rectangular baking dish. Top with half of the cheese mixture and half of the cooked meat, then repeat the layers. Sprinkle with the remaining one cup of shredded mozzarella.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.
- Serve and Enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Place leftovers in an airtight container or cover the dish you baked it in with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Pasta: You can use any pasta like gluten-free, whole grain, lento, or chickpea pasta.
- Use your favorite pasta sauce.
- If you do not want to use ground turkey or chicken, you can use lean ground beef.
- Reheating: You can reheat it in the microwave or oven. If frozen, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight first. Then pop it in the microwave and reheat for 2-3 minutes until it is heated through. If reheating in the oven, preheat the oven to 325F. Cover the dish with foil, and pop it in the oven for 10 minutes or so until it is heated through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi, I’m preparing meals for 6-8 ladies on a Bible Retreat. After this is made and baked, can it be frozen and what reheating directions would you suggest.
Thank you for any advice you can offer.
Hi Yes, you can reheat. You can reheat it in the microwave or oven. If frozen, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight first. Then pop it in the microwave and reheat for 2-3 minutes until it is heated through. If reheating in the oven, preheat the oven to 325F. Cover the dish with foil, and pop it in the oven for 10 minutes or so until it is heated through.