Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a comforting, cheesy baked pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, a rich blend of cream cheese, ricotta, and parmesan, all layered with spaghetti and marinara sauce. Topped with melted mozzarella and baked to bubbly perfection, this hearty casserole is perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 pound uncooked spaghetti
- 48 ounce marinara sauce (2 jars)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound Italian sausage (use turkey or chicken sausage if avoiding pork)
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, grated parmesan, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Mix thoroughly until smooth and set aside.
- Cook spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti for 2 minutes less than the package directions specify to ensure it remains slightly firm. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
- Cook sausage and aromatics: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage together with the chopped onion. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the sausage is fully browned and onions are soft. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using, cooking for an additional 1 minute. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the browned sausage mixture and the marinara sauce to the cooked spaghetti in the pot. Toss everything together to distribute evenly.
- Assemble the casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the pasta mixture evenly in the dish. Spread the prepared cheese mixture over this layer. Top with the remaining pasta and smooth out the top.
- Add mozzarella and bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the layered pasta. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.
- Broil for finishing touch: After baking, remove the foil and broil the casserole for 2 to 3 minutes until the mozzarella is golden brown and bubbly. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
- Rest and serve: Allow the dish to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving, which helps the layers to set and makes it easier to portion.
Notes
- Using turkey or chicken sausage is a great alternative to pork if preferred.
- Cooking the pasta slightly less than package instructions keeps it from becoming mushy after baking.
- The optional red pepper flakes add a nice subtle heat but can be omitted for a milder version.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving improves texture and flavor melding.
- To save time, prepare the cheese mixture and sausage in advance.
