Million Dollar Spaghetti
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Loaded with cream cheese, spaghetti noodles and layers and layers of cheese, this Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is aptly named. A large quantity baked spaghetti recipe, this is the perfect weeknight dinner that doesn’t take a chef in the kitchen while still being budget friendly to the family wallet.
And because of just how good this creamy casserole based dinner really is, the original recipe was viewed by over 7.8 million people making it an incredibly viral bake.
Why you will love making this TikTok Dinner Recipe
Family favorite meal in a quick casserole tray – This recipe is easy to make and fantastic for an entire family meal and to serve at a potluck. Pasta recipes are hands down one of the best ways to feed hungry teens and just like the million dollar chicken casserole recipe, this dish does not disappoint.
Equally wonderful for group-style serving, million-dollar spaghetti is an all-in-one dish meal that needs very little to satisfy the tastebuds and leave the belly crying out “no more!”
Ingredients in Viral Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
There really are many versions of this casserole. Some include jars of alfredo sauce, some include variations from Italian sausage to beef, and I am sure all of them are perfection.
We gave a shot to the viral recipe that is widely circulated on TikTok, which takes a classic spaghetti bake and makes it ultra creamy and rich by adding layers upon layers of cheese types – cream cheese, shredded cheese, and cottage cheese. This one is NOT for the “sensitive to lactose” types.
- Ground Italian sausage – you can also use cooked ground beef.
- Favorite pasta tomato sauce ( I buy jarred but always re-season with extra minced garlic)
- Cooked and drained spaghetti noodles with drained pasta water
- Cream cheese – softened and cubed.
- Cheese – cottage cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Optional seasonings with meat: Italian Seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and minced garlic.
Noodles can be prepped head to save time according to package instructions. Just rinse with warm water to separate any cold noodles. Do NOT use uncooked spaghetti in the bake.
How to make Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 350 and grease a 9×13 casserole dish
- Brown Italian sausage (or the meat type you choose), drain any excess grease, and mix in a jar of of your favorite spaghetti sauce brand. Set aside.
- Add cooked spaghetti noodles, half of the meat and sauce mixture, cubed cream cheese, and cottage cheese to the large baking dish. Mix creamy sauce well until combined. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Using a spatula, fold in 1 cup of cheddar cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Now top that layer with the remaining meat sauce, evenly spreading over the top.
- Lastly, follow that up with the remaining cheeses.
- Put spaghetti bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes or until hot all the way through and the cheese is melted.
- Remove the casserole from the oven; let it stand for 5 minutes and serve. Crusty bread is a great side dish choice (hey, do like the Italians do!).
Expert TikTok Casserole Recipe Tips
Like most spaghetti recipes, this one could easily add variations of herbs and spices to alter the flavor. Everything tastes great with Parmesan cheese, black pepper, diced medium white or yellow onion, and freshly baked garlic cloves(if you have time).
This dish is great for a party or potluck dish because it can really feed a lot while also being filling, and some fresh parsley on top brings a little color and presentation when it matters. Not that it ever does at a potluck, but effort goes a long way on display.
And lastly, marinara sauce instead of spaghetti sauce is an acceptable substitute. It tends to have chunkier tomatoes, so you have to be careful that that is something you enjoy. My husband prefers that thinner kind of sauce himself. You can also mix up this recipe with other versions like Vodka sauce or a combo of alfredo and tomato sauce.
Where did this viral recipe come from?
As a food blogger for more than ten years, we have seen this recipe come and go and be changed a million times over. It’s in cookbooks and websites and is a Pinterest favorite. But this version, with a few changes, we saw pop up on our TikTok FYP from creator @isabel.wherry and were reminded of the deliciousness of this baked spaghetti.
See the original recipe for this tiktok dinner recipe video below :
Would we make baked Million Dollar Spaghetti again?
If you are wondering on a review for this million dollar casserole bake, its high on our list for excellent weeknight meal ideas. With savory meat, tons of cheese, and of course, all that filling pasta, we are confident that this is a hearty casserole recipe that won’t let you down.
What to serve with Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Typically bread is my go to for side dishes that go with spaghetti. I have a slew of them here on Salty Side Dish. If you want to stick with the whole online menu theme, this pan-fried tiktok garlic bread recipe is pretty good.
- Cheesy Hawaiian garlic bread is really easy and this crusty parmesan garlic bread is nearly a 5 star rating by those kind enough to come back and leave a review.
- Throwing some green vegetables are a good choice and help balance out all those carbs, so try something a bit plain like sheet pan oven roasted broccoli or a simple side like cherry tomato caprese salad.
Once again, thank you for visiting our kitchen (and blog) and please follow over on Pinterest. You will see our food in your feed and its easy to save and find us again.
Plus, I love when you come back, give me the feedback and rate the recipe. It helps me improve and lets others know if its worth the make.
Blessings – Trisha
Million Dollar Spaghetti (TikTok Recipe)
Equipment
- 9 x 13 Baking Dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Italian sausage or ground beef
- 24 oz. pasta sauce
- 16 oz. spaghetti noodles cooked, drained and cooled
- 8 oz. cream cheese brick
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Prep raw spaghetti noodles according to package instructions.
- Brown Italian sausage and then soak up any excess grease in the pan with a paper towel. Pour in 24 oz. of tomato pasta sauce and combine together. This is the point to add extra seasoning if you like – garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper all work well.
- In the prepped large baking dish, add cooked and drained spaghetti pasta noodles, half of the meat and tomato sauce mixture, cubes of cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Using tongs, mix the noodles, cheese and sauces together well until combined and creamy. Alternatively, this step can be done in a bowl and then dumped into the baking dish (I just don't like to dirty an extra bowl).
- With a spatula, fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Top the dish with remaining meat sauce, spreading it evenly over the top. Finally, sprinkle (this is your final layer) any remaining (or extra) shredded cheese.
- Bake the Casserole for 20-25 minutes or until the center is hot and the cheese is melted.
- Remove the million dollar spaghetti casserole from the oven, let stand to set for five minutes (this is the time you prep drinks and napkins) and then serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Can this be frozen?
I typically do not freeze this so I am unsure how it would thaw w/ the cream cheese.
Very good! Family loved it.