Baked Spaghetti Casserole, also known as Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole, combines ground beef, spaghetti, and spaghetti sauce with a mixture of cream cheese, ricotta cheese, and sour cream baked into the center. Then this flavor-packed dish is topped with a blend of provolone and mozzarella cheese and baked to perfection.
This baked spaghetti recipe is like a cross between spaghetti and lasagna. This is a big hearty casserole, so it is perfect for large families and hearty appetites. Serve with an Italian Chopped Salad with Fresh Italian Dressing and Cheese Garlic Bread.
How to make Baked Spaghetti Casserole
Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Then cook spaghetti al dente according to the package directions. Drain the spaghetti well and return it to the pot. Stir in one jar of pasta sauce. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, adding the onion halfway through the browning process. Cook until the beef is browned, and the onion is soft. Then reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Add the other jar of spaghetti sauce and simmer.
Next, in a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer, blend together the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, egg, sour cream, and Italian seasonings. Now spoon half the spaghetti noodles into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Then spread the cheese mixture over the noodles. Next, sprinkle about 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the cheese mixture. Spoon the rest of the spaghetti noodles on top of the mozzarella.
Spoon the meat sauce mixture over the spaghetti. Top with the remaining mozzarella and provolone. Bake for about 45 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through. For best results, let it rest for about 15 minutes before slicing. If desired, sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan Cheese.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Grease the casserole dish for easier cleanup.
- Feel free to substitute marinara for the spaghetti sauce. There are lots of good jarred marinara sauces available.
- You can substitute other protein like pork sausage, Italian sausage, or ground turkey for ground beef.
- The cheese mixture can be combined with a spoon. I find it faster, easier, and creamier to use my handheld mixer.
- Try other spices and herbs like garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, and thyme.
- Do you want more veggies? Add tomatoes or sauteed spinach or mushrooms
- Let the casserole sit for 15 minutes after removing it from the oven to make it easier to cut into slices.
- This casserole sits high in a 9×13 dish, so be careful covering it with aluminum foil to keep it warm. Make a tent to keep from peeling off the top layer of cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power until warm.
- To freeze, wrap the casserole with several layers of plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, remove from the freezer and defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power until warm.
How to freeze this casserole
Prior to Baking – prep the casserole per the instructions. Wrap several times with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake according to recipe instructions.
After Baking– prep the casserole and bake as instructed. Cool completely. Cover with several layers of plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then reheat in the microwave at reduced power until warmed through.
More casserole recipes you will love!
Baked Spaghetti Casserole
A hearty Spaghetti Casserole filled with ground beef, onions, garlic, and sauce with cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, and mozzarella mixture layered in the middle. This scrumptious dish is always a hit with family and friends.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: main meal/pasta
- Method: stovetop/bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- 2 (24 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce
- 1 ¼ lbs. ground beef (or sweet Italian sausage)
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 4 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 egg room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- chopped fresh Italian parsley
- chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti al dente according to the package directions. Drain well and return to the pot. Stir in one jar of spaghetti sauce.
- Meanwhile, brown the ground beef adding the onion halfway through the browning process. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Then reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Add the other jar of spaghetti sauce and simmer. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, using a handheld mixer, blend together the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, egg, sour cream, and Italian seasoning. Spoon half the spaghetti noodles into the prepared casserole dish. Spread the cheese mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the cheese mixture. Spoon the rest of the spaghetti noodles on top of the mozzarella.
- Spoon the ground beef tomato sauce mixture over the spaghetti. Top with the remaining mozzarella and provolone cheese. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through. Let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley and basil.
Notes
- Grease the casserole dish for easier cleanup.
- Feel free to substitute marinara for the spaghetti sauce. There are lots of good jarred marinara sauces available.
- You can substitute pork sausage, Italian sausage, or ground turkey for the ground beef.
- The cheese mixture can be combined with a spoon. I find it faster, easier, and creamier to use my handheld mixer.
- Try other spices and herbs like garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, and thyme.
- Do you want more veggies? Add tomatoes or sauteed spinach or mushrooms
- Let the casserole sit for 15 minutes after removing it from the oven to make it easier to cut into slices.
- This casserole sits high in a 9×13 dish, so be careful covering it with aluminum foil to keep it warm. Make a tent to keep from peeling off the top layer of cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power until warm.
- To freeze, wrap the casserole with several layers of plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Keywords: how to make spaghetti casserole, million dollar spaghetti casserole, baked spaghetti casserole, baked spaghetti
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Brenda
Hi. Do you happen to have a substitute for all the cheese inside the dish? I’m trying to limit dairy.
Beth Pierce
No but maybe one of the readers has a suggestion!
Julie
I love this recipe. I made one pan for myself, and one pan without meat plus more veggies for my vegetarian husband! So yummy. Thanks for sharing your genius.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Julie!
Clarice
Wow! This looks delicious and your post made me crave for baked spaghetti. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Will get some ingredients today and perhaps we can have this for tomorrow’s dinner.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Clarice! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Patricia Chamberlain
This recipe was so good! The whole family enjoyed it. I will be making it again. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
★★★★★
Amber
I am totally printing this one and giving it a try. My kids love Spaghetti and I never thought of making a casserole with it. Great idea! Can’t wait to try it.
briannemanzb
This spaghetti casserole is a family favorite that is loaded with flavor! We love Italian flavors and this casserole is no exception.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Brianne! So glad that you enjoyed the casserole.
Debbie
This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole was absolutely amazing! Everything I love in life – pasta and sauce and cheese! This will be on a regular rotation at our house.
★★★★★
Whitney Stewart
My mom has a baked pasta recipe just like this one! But I forgot to ask her for a copy of it when I moved out, so I’ll be saving this one instead! It looks just as good! Thanks so much for sharing!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Sidesist
I made this spaghetti casserole for dinner the other night and received lots of compliments. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks! So glad that you liked it!
Min
Made this over the weekend and it was delicious! Cannot wait to have leftovers throughout the week.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Min! Enjoy!
TAYLER ROSS
This spaghetti casserole is one of our favorite dinners! We’ve made it several times and it’s always a hit!
★★★★★
Ned
This is one of my favorites! Thank you so much for this great recipe! Can’t wait to make it again.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ned! So glad that you liked it!
Dannii
My kids absolutely loved this. They asked me to make it for dinner tomorrow too.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Awesome!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
Oh wow, this looks so delicious. My family is going to devour it!
★★★★★
Marysa
What a great idea. We like baked ziti and this sounds like a great way to enjoy pasta. I’m sure my kids would love this.
Msjane90
It looks absolutely delicious! I will try to make this over the weekend and I’m sure my family would love it! Thanks for the recipe!
Catalina
This was such a delicious dinner. We topped it will a little grated Parmesan cheese. My family loved it so much!
★★★★★
Beth
My mother-in-law used to serve spaghetti casserole to her family. My husband would be thrilled if I made this recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Beth! Enjoy!
Sarah
This recipe is so amazing! I would have never thought to bake spaghetti like this. Yum, yum, yum! Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome Sarah!
Kathy
This looks really good. I’ve made something similar to this before. I’ll have to give yours a try as well.
Rose Ann Sales
Wow! This was really great recipe. Great for large families and hearty appetites. We sprinkled a little extra Parmesan cheese on the top.
IceCreamnStickyFingers
This baked spaghetti was amazing. We love baked spaghetti and lasagna in our house. My family loved this!
★★★★★
Tara Pittman
My husband always made this in the restaurant that he worked at. It was so delicious.
Michael
Am I the only one who would like to devour that chunk of cheese on top of that thing? Haha! So pretty and delicious! Please save some for me!
Nancy
Wait a second, this looks delicious. My whole family would love it!
Ruth I
I’ve always loved spaghetti but haven’t tried this. Looks so good! I will be making this soon.
★★★★★
Everything Enchanting
My gosh, this spaghetti casserole looks so delicious 😍 I love trying out easy-to-follow recipes and this is one of them! 👌🏻
Mary
I have never made a pasta casserole. This was so easy and delicious. The leftovers were yummy as well!
Richelle Milar
Oh my! This is such a really amazing recipe! It was so good! My family loved it so much.
Elizabeth Neas
This spaghetti casserole looks delicious. I enjoy spaghetti already, so this casserole has to be only an upgrade to the usual spaghetti.
briannemanz
This casserole is a great option when you have a family to feed. Or when you have big gatherings, whatever you need, this casserole is a great choice.
★★★★★
Alita
I`m always looking for budget friendly and easy to make recipes, and this is it. This casserole is a simple recipe to feed a crowd.
★★★★★
Tasheena
I loved this casserole, looking forward to making this recipe again.
★★★★★
Emily Davis
I personally love that you can easily freeze this! Perfect for those Busy Sports or Summer days.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Yes indeed! I agree 100%
Amber Myers
Yum, we love regular spaghetti so I need to try this version. It looks delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Amber! Enjoy!!
Kim
So easy and perfect for the potluck I went to! Everyone loved it
★★★★★
Shashi
This is the prefect time for comforting, satisfying, tasty casseroles like this!
Kristen
My family loved this! Great recipe. Thank you. 🙂
★★★★★
Andrea
What an incredible combination of flavors in this baked spaghetti. My family is going to love it.
★★★★★
Mirlene
My family loves this spaghetti casserole. They always comeback for seconds!
★★★★★
sharon
I sometimes add chopped green onion to the cream cheese mixture, I have added green pepper too.
Sandra
This is so perfect for busy nights! Easy to make and really delicious!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thank you. This is one of my daughters favorite recipes.
Allyson Reed Zea
This was the perfect meal!!!
★★★★★