Looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner that feels special but doesn’t eat your evening? This Million Dollar Spaghetti hits that sweet spot creamy, cheesy, and comfort-food cozy with a bright tomato kick. It’s rich and bubbly on top, soft and saucy underneath, and simple enough for a weeknight family dinner or a take-to-a-potluck dish that gets raves.
Million Dollar Spaghetti for Busy Families and Home Cooks
This Million Dollar Spaghetti turns everyday pantry items into a dish that looks and tastes like you spent hours on it. Ground beef simmers with marinara, then gets layered with a creamy ricotta-cottage mixture and melted mozzarella for a gooey, golden finish. It’s warm, cheesy, and comforting like a hug on a plate. Make it when you want something hearty that still comes together fast.
Top reasons to make it:
- Feels fancy but uses simple ingredients
- Kid-friendly and great for feeding a crowd
- Easy to double or make ahead
This spaghetti delivers a creamy, cheesy texture with a savory meat and tomato base. The ricotta and cottage cheese blend gives a smooth, slightly tangy richness while mozzarella and Parmesan add that melty, golden top everyone loves. Make it because it’s quick-ish for a casserole-style dinner, it stretches to feed a family, and it uses things you likely already have in the fridge.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about an hour for a hands-off family meal
- Made with pantry staples and common fridge cheeses
- Great for leftovers and reheats well
- Crowd-pleaser for weeknights and potlucks
Ingredients for Million Dollar Spaghetti
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (Million Dollar Spaghetti)
Tip: For a lighter swap or veggie boost, try the green spaghetti twist from this green spaghetti recipe for healthy pasta lovers for inspiration.
Step-by-Step Instructions of Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Boil the spaghetti in salted water until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning; simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, mix the ricotta, cottage cheese, and half the Parmesan until smooth.
- Toss the cooked spaghetti with half the meat sauce and spread into a 9×13 baking dish.
- Dollop or spread the ricotta-cottage mix over the pasta evenly.
- Spoon the remaining meat sauce over the cheese layer, then sprinkle with mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with fresh parsley, then serve.
Tips for Success
- Use full-fat cheeses for a creamier texture and better melt.
- Don’t overcook the spaghetti; it will finish in the oven and stay al dente.
- Let the dish rest a few minutes after baking so it sets and slices cleanly.
Substitutions & Variations of Million Dollar Spaghetti
To Make It Vegan/Gluten-Free:
- Use gluten-free spaghetti and swap ground beef for seasoned lentils or crumbled tempeh.
- Replace ricotta and cottage cheese with a tofu ricotta (blended tofu, lemon, nutritional yeast, salt) and use dairy-free shredded cheese.
Variations:
- Stir in a handful of spinach or chopped roasted red peppers into the cheese layer.
- Swap ground beef for Italian sausage or ground turkey for different flavor profiles.
- Add red pepper flakes or a spoonful of pesto for a flavor kick.
Storage Instructions of Million Dollar Spaghetti
Refrigerator:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer:
- Freeze fully cooled portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Make-Ahead:
- Assemble the dish up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready, adding a few extra minutes if chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of Million Dollar Spaghetti
Can I make this without ground meat?
- Yes. Use a plant-based ground crumbles or cooked lentils for a vegetarian option.
How do I reheat leftovers so the cheese stays melty?
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil for 15–20 minutes, or microwave individual servings until hot.
Can I use only ricotta or only cottage cheese?
- You can, but the mix of both gives a creamier, lighter texture. If using one, expect a slightly different texture but still tasty.
Conclusion
Million Dollar Spaghetti is comfort food that looks like effort but comes together easily perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a hungry crowd. If you want the original inspiration or a reference recipe, check the original Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe on Tastes Better From Scratch for ideas and variations. Try this version tonight, then come back and tell me how it went leave a comment and a star rating to share your tweaks and results.
Print
Million Dollar Spaghetti
A creamy, cheesy comfort food dish that combines ground beef and marinara layered with ricotta, cottage cheese, and mozzarella, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the spaghetti in salted water until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning; simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, mix the ricotta, cottage cheese, and half the Parmesan until smooth.
- Toss the cooked spaghetti with half the meat sauce and spread into a 9×13 baking dish.
- Dollop or spread the ricotta-cottage mixture over the pasta evenly.
- Spoon the remaining meat sauce over the cheese layer, then sprinkle with mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with fresh parsley, then serve.
Notes
For a lighter swap or veggie boost, try using gluten-free noodles and substituting ground beef with lentils or crumbled tempeh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Meat