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A serving of baked spaghetti covered in melted cheese and meat sauce is being lifted from a dish. The dish is garnished with chopped parsley, and the spaghetti is topped with browned cheese and bits of meat.
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3.49 from 35 votes

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

This million dollar spaghetti recipe layers tender spaghetti with creamy ricotta, Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and mozzarella for a rich, cheesy casserole. It’s an easy baked spaghetti recipe made with simple, budget-friendly ingredients.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: baked spaghetti, baked spaghetti recipe, million dollar spaghetti
Servings: 8 people
Author: Melissa Johnson
Cost: $19

Ingredients

  • 16 ounce package spaghetti
  • One pound loose Italian sausage
  • Two 24-ounce jars marinara sauce
  • One 32-ounce container ricotta cheese
  • 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
  • chopped fresh parsley, for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Just think of the ocean-your water should be salty like the sea. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain the spaghetti and set aside.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking up the sausage as you cook, until the meat is no longer pink and is golden brown, about 12 minutes. Drain off the excess fat and set aside.
  • Pour a jar of the marinara sauce into a 9x13 baking dish.
    marinara sauce in a baking dish for million dollar spaghetti.
  • Add half of the cooked spaghetti and all of the ricotta cheese.
    A casserole dish with spaghetti, red sauce, and spoonfuls of ricotta cheese on top, placed on a wooden cutting board for million dollar spaghetti.
  • Top with the remaining spaghetti.
    A white baking dish filled with cooked pasta for million dollar spaghetti, placed on a wooden board.
  • Top with the cooked sausage.
    A white baking dish with cooked ground meat layered over spaghetti for million dollar spaghetti, on a wooden cutting board.
  • Top with the remaining jar of marinara sauce.
    A white baking dish of million dollar spaghetti topped with ground beef and rich tomato sauce on a wooden cutting board.
  • Top evenly with mozzarella cheese.
    A white baking dish of million dollar spaghetti topped with shredded cheese on a wooden cutting board.
  • Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until mozzarella is melted and golden brown.
  • Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley.
    A baking dish of million dollar spaghetti topped with melted cheese and chopped parsley on a wooden board.

Video

Notes

  • Cook the spaghetti just until al dente. It will continue cooking in the oven, so avoid overcooking it before assembling the casserole.
  • Let the casserole rest before serving. A short rest helps the layers settle, making it easier to scoop and serve.
  • For a make-ahead option, assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it goes into the oven cold.
  • For freezing, cool the assembled casserole completely before wrapping and freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
  • Use freshly shredded mozzarella if possible. It melts smoothly and gives the top that gooey, cheesy finish.