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his indulgent Million Dollar Spaghetti layers tender noodles, creamy cheese filling, rich sausage sauce, and melty mozzarella for a baked pasta casserole that tastes as good as it sounds. Comforting, hearty, and perfect for a crowd!
👉 If baked pasta is your thing, I highly recommend trying my Spinach Chicken Orzo Casserole or Zuppa Toscana Bacon & Sausage Casserole next.
👉 Looking for more comfort casseroles? Try my French Onion Chicken Potato Casserole or Classic Smothered Pork Chops & Rice Casserole.
Why you’ll love this recipe…
Million Dollar Spaghetti has always been a family favorite in our house. Growing up, it was one of those dinners that felt special but didn’t take hours to make. The creamy ricotta–cream cheese layer makes it taste indulgent, while the hearty sausage sauce and melty mozzarella bring everyone back for seconds. It’s cozy, comforting, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Try my Million Dollar Chicken Casserole!
⏰ Ready In: 55 minutes
🛒 Key Ingredients: Italian Sausage, Spaghetti, Ricotta–Cream Cheese Filling
🍽️ Servings: 6–8
👩🍳 Difficulty: Medium
🧊 Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance or bake and freeze up to 2 months.
Have my Hidden Veggie Chocolate Muffins for dessert!
Made With Love,
Step-by-Step Recipe Video
Simple Ingredients
This casserole uses classic Italian staples: pasta, sausage, marinara, and cheese.
👉 Just like my One Pot Sausage Orzo Soup, it’s big on flavor but light on effort.
Main Ingredients
- Protein: Italian sausage adds savory, bold flavor. Use mild or spicy depending on preference.
- Pasta: Traditional spaghetti noodles work best—cook until al dente so they don’t overbake.
- Cheese Filling: Ricotta and cream cheese make the middle layer creamy and rich.
- Sauce: Marinara keeps it saucy; choose a good-quality jarred sauce or homemade.
- Topping: Mozzarella melts into a golden, cheesy topping.
👉 Want to use up Italian sausage? Try my Italian Sausage and Potato Skillet or see my 15 Best Ways to Use Italian Sausage.
Ingredient List
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 white onion, diced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 lb spaghetti noodles
- 3 cups marinara sauce, divided
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
A full printable ingredient list with exact amounts is available in the recipe card below.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Variations
- Protein: Use ground beef, turkey, or a plant-based crumble.
- Cheese: Cottage cheese can replace ricotta; add Parmesan for extra flavor.
- Pasta: Penne or rigatoni works if you prefer bite-size pasta.
- Sauce: Add red pepper flakes or balsamic vinegar to the marinara for extra depth.
For all substitutions or additions I’ve noted for this recipe, please see the recipe card below.
👉 For quick chicken inspiration, check out my Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken or Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas.
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti
This tasty pasta dish will be ready in 35 minutes, you’ve got this!!
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
Step 2: In a skillet, heat oil. Add onion, garlic, and sausage. Cook through, drain grease. Stir in 2 cups marinara.
Step 3: Cook pasta according to box instructions. Drain, return to pot, stir in 1 cup marinara to coat.
Step 4: In a medium bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Step 5: Layer half the spaghetti in baking dish. Spread cheese mixture on top. Add remaining spaghetti.
Step 6: Spread sausage mixture evenly over noodles. Top with mozzarella.
Step 7: Bake 30 minutes, uncovered, until bubbly. Rest 5 minutes, then serve.
See the Printable recipe card for full information on how to make this recipe.
My Pro TipS
Tips and Tricks
- Cook pasta al dente so it doesn’t get mushy when baked.
- Drain grease well after cooking sausage.
- Cover tightly with foil while baking so cheese melts without burning.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before cutting so layers set.
👉 If you like hearty slow cooker meals, don’t miss my Pot Roast or Slow Cooker Shredded Beef.
Recipe FAQs
Yes—assemble the casserole, refrigerate 24 hours, then bake.
Yes—bake first, cool completely, then freeze up to 2 months. Reheat covered at 350°F.
Yes—it’s lighter but still creamy.
Traditional spaghetti noodles, but short pasta like rigatoni works too.
Serving Suggestions
Extra Toppings: Sprinkle with fresh parsley, basil, or extra parmesan right before serving. For spice, add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil.
Appetizer: Start the meal with Garlic Knots or a fresh Tomato Bruschetta.
Side Dish: Pair with Caesar Salad or Roasted Broccoli for a balanced dinner.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Store: Refrigerate airtight up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Bake first, cool, freeze up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm covered at 350°F until hot.
More Great Casserole Recipes
Oven Baked
Ground Beef Enchiladas
Oven Baked
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
All Recipes
No Peek Pork Chop Casserole
Follow me on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking for more cooking and fun!
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1 white onion, diced
- 1 tbs minced garlic
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 lb spaghetti noodles
- 3 cup marinara sauce, divided
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- To a large skillet over medium heat add the oil, onion, minced garlic, and sausage. Break the sausage up and cook it through. Once cooked remove any grease in the pan. Stir in 2 cups of the marinara sauce. Turn the heat off and let it sit with the sausage.
- To a large pot of boiling water add the pasta in and cook it according to the box instructions. Drain then add the pasta back to the pot. Stir in 1 cup of the marinara sauce to coat the noodles.
- Cheesy Mixture: To a medium sized bowl add the ricotta, cream cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning stir to combine.
- To assemble: Grease a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray. Add half of the spaghetti noodles to the bottom of the dish. Spread the cheesy mixture over the spaghetti noodles. Add the other half of the spaghetti noodles on top. Pour the sausage mixture on top spread it out evenly. Cover with mozzarellas cheese. Bake for 30 minutes. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Substitutions: cottage cheese, ground beef, or other pasta types.
- Storage: Refrigerate 4 days; freeze 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm covered at 350°F until hot.
- For all substitutions or additions I’ve noted for this recipe, please see the blog post.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
