Can I make Million Dollar Spaghetti ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the entire dish up to a day in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it. When ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it heats through.

Can I freeze Million Dollar Spaghetti?

Absolutely. Assemble the casserole, cover it well, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. If baking from frozen, cover with foil and extend the cooking time until heated through.

What can I substitute for ricotta cheese?

Cottage cheese is a great alternative to ricotta. You can also use a mixture of Greek yogurt and cream cheese for a slightly tangy, creamy texture.

How do I prevent the dish from being too watery?

Make sure to drain excess grease from the cooked sausage and avoid using too much marinara sauce. Also, slightly undercook the pasta so it absorbs some liquid while baking instead of becoming mushy.

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Name: Million Dollar Spaghetti
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 pound spaghetti; 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot); ½ medium onion, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce; Salt & pepper, to taste; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 8 ounces ricotta cheese; 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Description

Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and cheesy baked pasta casserole that combines savory Italian sausage, tangy marinara sauce, and a creamy cheese filling. Perfect for a crowd, this dish is a delicious alternative to lasagna with its melty layers of spaghetti, gooey mozzarella, and a hint of spice. It’s easy to make, freezer-friendly, and guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta & Sauce

1 pound spaghetti
1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot)
½ medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce
Salt & pepper, to taste

Cheese Layer

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
8 ounces ricotta cheese
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano

Topping

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

Prepare the oven and cheese mixture: Preheat the oven to 375°F and place the rack in the top third of the oven. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, ricotta, Parmesan, garlic powder, and oregano. Stir until smooth and set aside.
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti for two minutes less than the package instructions suggest. Drain and return it to the same pot.
Brown the sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage with the chopped onion, breaking it apart as it browns. Once cooked through, stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional minute. Drain any excess grease.
Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked sausage mixture to the pot with the spaghetti. Pour in the marinara sauce and toss everything together until well coated.
Assemble the casserole: Grease a 9×13 baking dish and spread half of the pasta mixture evenly in the dish. Carefully spread the cheese mixture over the first layer of pasta, ensuring even coverage. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top.
Top with mozzarella and bake: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and broil for a few minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Let it rest and serve: Allow the casserole to sit for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

Notes

Make it spicier by using hot Italian sausage and increasing the red pepper flakes.
Try different cheeses such as a mix of mozzarella and cheddar for a sharper flavor.
To prevent excess moisture, avoid adding too much marinara sauce and drain the sausage well.
For a smaller batch, halve the ingredients and use an 8×8-inch baking dish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 580
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 85mg