Million Dollar Spaghetti
Short, Catchy Intro
So you are craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same. Million Dollar Spaghetti is basically the love child of comfort food and fridge raid. It bakes into a bubbly, cheesy casserole that makes people say things like wow and where did you learn to cook like this. Spoiler: it is mostly just following easy steps and pretending you are a master chef.
Want to pair this with something ridiculous and delightful? Try making garlic bread bowls for dramatic effect by checking out this handy guide to spaghetti garlic bread bowls. Yes that sounds extra. Yes you will feel extra. That is the point.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
This dish delivers maximum comfort with minimal fuss. The sausage brings bold flavor, the ricotta keeps things creamy, and the molten mozzarella makes every forkful a tiny party. It feels fancy but cooks in regular human time.
It is idiot proof, even I did not mess it up the first three times I tried. You can make it for a casual weeknight, for guests who think you are a big deal, or for the one time you want to win a potluck without sweating. Also it reheats like a dream so leftovers are basically a gift to your future self.
Here are the best parts in short form
- One pan sausage cook, one big bowl mix, and then the oven does the heavy lifting
- The cheese ratio makes everything ooze and glue together in the best possible way
- You can tweak it by swapping meats or cheeses and still look like a culinary genius
Tip: Do not skip the ricotta. It mellows the sauce and stops the whole casserole from being a dry cheese slab. Trust me.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground sausage
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Yes the ingredient list looks like something your mom would approve of. No weird health food nonsense. Just tasty, reliable stuff.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground sausage over medium heat until browned.
- Add the marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet, stirring to combine.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, sausage mixture, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Pour the spaghetti mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Thinking you do not need to preheat the oven. Rookie mistake. The cheese and edges need that steady oven love.
- Overcooking the spaghetti until it is mush. Aim for al dente. It finishes cooking in the oven and you want structure.
- Skimping on seasoning when the sausage is very mild. Taste the sauce before mixing. A pinch of salt and pepper can save dinner.
- Dumping all the cheese on top and forgetting to layer. Mixing some cheese in the noodles keeps every bite rich not just the surface bites.
- Getting too fancy with substitutions you do not understand. Swapping ricotta for something liquidy will ruin the texture. Stick to sensible swaps below.
Alternatives & Substitutions
Want a different vibe? Here are easy swaps that keep the spirit of the dish intact.
- Meat swaps: Use ground beef, turkey, or Italian chicken sausage. If you want vegetarian, try crumbled tofu or a plant based sausage. I will not judge.
- Sauce swaps: Prefer a chunky tomato basil? Go for it. Use a jar you actually like. Homemade marinara works great too.
- Cheese swaps: You can use provolone or fontina in place of some mozzarella for a nuttier flavor. If you only have cottage cheese, blend it a bit to mimic ricotta texture. Not identical but acceptable in a pinch.
- Lower dairy: Swap half the ricotta for plain Greek yogurt to cut richness while keeping creaminess. FYI this will change the tang a bit.
- Gluten free: Use your favorite gluten free spaghetti and watch the world not end. The bake time stays about the same.
Also if you want to pair this with a fun presentation idea see a playful take on serving pasta in bread by visiting this guide for spaghetti garlic bread bowls. Seriously, the presentation gets you bonus points at dinner.
My two cents? Keep it simple on your first go. Once you nail the base recipe you can experiment like a responsible culinary mad scientist.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q Why does my casserole get watery sometimes?
A Often the culprit is underdrained pasta or sauce that is too thin. Drain the spaghetti well and simmer the sauce a few minutes to thicken before mixing.
Q Can I make this ahead and bake later?
A Yes. Assemble it, cover it, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time if it is cold from the fridge.
Q Can I freeze Million Dollar Spaghetti?
A Absolutely. Freeze before baking or after baking. If frozen before, bake from frozen and allow extra time. If frozen after, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat covered to avoid drying out.
Q Is ricotta necessary?
A Not strictly necessary but recommended. It gives creaminess and helps bind the noodles. If you hate ricotta try blended cottage cheese or a mix of cream cheese and milk as an alternative.
Q Can I use fresh mozzarella balls?
A Yes use fresh mozzarella if you want a milky, softer melt. Tear them up and distribute evenly so the casserole melts uniformly.
Q How do I make it spicier?
A Add red pepper flakes to the sauce or use a hot Italian sausage. A splash of hot sauce before mixing will also do the trick if you like living on the edge.
Q How many people does this serve?
A Plan for about 4 to 6 servings depending on whether folks are hungry or just nibbling. Leftovers heat beautifully so count on extras.
Final Thoughts
There you go. A delicious, forgiving, and slightly show off worthy recipe that takes regular spaghetti up a level without demanding your soul. You can make it weeknight simple or stirring potluck drama. Either way you win.
Now go impress someone or yourself with your new culinary skills. You have earned it. Enjoy the cheese pull and the compliments.
Print
Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Total Time: 45
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
A comforting, cheesy casserole combining spaghetti and sausage that is easy to prepare and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground sausage
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground sausage over medium heat until browned.
- Add the marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet, stirring to combine.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, sausage mixture, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Pour the spaghetti mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For best results, do not skip the ricotta. It prevents the casserole from being dry.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: spaghetti, casserole, comfort food, easy recipe, Italian
