By Krista Teigen
Updated Dec 11, 2025
Million Dollar Spaghetti has been one of my go-to comfort meals for years. It’s layered with tender noodles, a creamy cheese layer, rich meat sauce, and plenty of melty mozzarella on top. It feels a little indulgent, but it comes together with simple ingredients I almost always have on hand. If you’re craving something cozy and cheesy, this one’s a must.
Easy Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
This is probably my favorite no-fuss pasta casserole, plus it’s a fun way to eat spaghetti. I’ll make it when I need to feed a crowd, and it always gets rave reviews around the table. I love using ground beef, but this is such a versatile recipe that you can use whatever you’d like. The combination of cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream makes it extra creamy and rich, like a cross between baked ziti and lasagna . I love pulling this out for Sunday dinner, casual get-togethers, or when I just want leftovers. Kids and adults alike love it.
Tips for Beginners
- Bring cream cheese to room temp . Let the cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smooth, lump-free cheese layer that spreads easily.
- Boil spaghetti just until al dente. It will continue cooking in the oven, so this prevents mushy noodles.
- Spread meat sauce and cheese mixture . Spread it all the way to the edges of the casserole dish for even flavor in every bite.
- Let casserole sit after baking. Let the baked casserole sit for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set and makes for cleaner servings.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 lb. spaghetti noodles
- ▢ 1 lb. ground beef*
- ▢ ½ tsp salt
- ▢ ½ tsp Italian seasoning**
- ▢ 1 jar 24 oz. marinara sauce***
- ▢ 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- ▢ ½ cup sour cream
- ▢ 1 cup cottage cheese
- ▢ 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Boil the spaghetti to al dente according to package directions. Drain. Then, add to the bottom of a greased 9×13 casserole dish. 1 lb. spaghetti noodles
- Add the ground beef to a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the salt and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned. Drain excess liquid from the pan. 1 lb. ground beef*, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp Italian seasoning**
- Pour ½ cup of the marinara sauce over the spaghetti in the casserole dish. Use tongs to gently toss the noodles in the sauce. 1 jar
- Add the remaining marinara sauce to the meat. Simmer on low for a few minutes. 1 jar
- In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and Parmesan until smooth. 8 oz. cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Spread the meat sauce over the spaghetti.
- Then, add dollops of the cheese mixture over the meat sauce. Use a spatula to spread it out over the top.
- Top with mozzarella cheese. 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly. Let the dish sit for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti Step by Step
Gather the ingredients: Gather all the ingredients together and preheat your oven to 375°F. Boil 1 lb. of spaghetti noodles until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain the noodles well, then place them at the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Pour ½ cup of the 24-oz. jar of marinara sauce over the cooked spaghetti in the casserole dish. Use tongs to gently toss the noodles so they’re lightly coated in the sauce.
Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 lb. of ground beef. Stir in ½ tsp of salt and ½ tsp of Italian seasoning. Cook until the beef is fully browned, then drain any excess liquid from the pan.
Simmer the meat sauce: Add the remaining marinara sauce (about 1½ cups) to the browned beef. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
Make the cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, mix together 8 oz. of softened cream cheese, ½ cup of sour cream, 1 cup of cottage cheese, and 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and well combined.
Assemble the casserole: Spread the meat sauce evenly over the spaghetti in the casserole dish.
Add the cheese mixture: Then drop spoonfuls of the cheese mixture over the meat sauce and use a spatula to spread it evenly across the top.
Sprinkle with cheese: Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake and rest: Bake the casserole uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Serve and enjoy: Serve up hot with some crusty bread. Enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat
To store leftovers, keep the casserole covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Be sure to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. To reheat, cover the dish with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for 20–30 minutes, or until heated through.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this with a big green salad and some warm garlic bread to soak up all that creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own, but sometimes I’ll add roasted veggies or a simple side of air fryer broccoli to round things out. This is one of those dishes that feels just as perfect for a cozy Sunday dinner as it does for a casual weeknight meal.
More Baked Pasta recipes
Caprese Pasta Bake (Oven-baked Caprese Casserole)
Baked Feta Pasta Recipe
Baked Spaghetti
4 Ingredient Pesto Baked Rigatoni Recipe
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 lb. spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb. ground beef*
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning**
- 1 jar 24 oz. marinara sauce***
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Boil the spaghetti to al dente according to package directions. Drain. Then, add to the bottom of a greased 9x13 casserole dish. 1 lb. spaghetti noodles
- Add the ground beef to a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the salt and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned. Drain excess liquid from the pan. 1 lb. ground beef*, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp Italian seasoning**
- Pour ½ cup of the marinara sauce over the spaghetti in the casserole dish. Use tongs to gently toss the noodles in the sauce. 1 jar
- Add the remaining marinara sauce to the meat. Simmer on low for a few minutes. 1 jar
- In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and Parmesan until smooth. 8 oz. cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Spread the meat sauce over the spaghetti.
- Then, add dollops of the cheese mixture over the meat sauce. Use a spatula to spread it out over the top.
- Top with mozzarella cheese. 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly. Let the dish sit for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
