This creamy Million Dollar Spaghetti Bake is the ultimate comfort meal. This post explains how to make this recipe baked in theoven, skillet or prepared as a freezer meal. I make this recipe for my kids a few times a month — and have used this in my freezer meal business. I have prepared it hundreds of times, and this is THE perfect Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe!
I love a comforting ground beef skillet meal or casserole to feed my family. This is filling and ensures clean plates and full bellies. This Spaghetti Bake and my Creamy Beef and Egg Noodles are top requests on weeknights–and lets not forget about cheeseburger spaghetti, too!
Why you will love this recipe
- 3 ways to prepare: skillet, baked or as a freezer meal. You have options, and can cook double and freeze–perfect for busy families!
- Kids love this meal – Most kids love spaghetti, and this is its creamy, cheesy best friend!
- No fancy ingredients required: cheese, sour cream, noodles and protein? Pretty simple!
Million Dollar Spaghetti Ingredients
Ground Beef: I use our farm fresh ground beef in this recipe.
Spaghetti Noodles: I used 12 oz (about 3/4 of a lb!). I like to use 3Farm Daughters Spaghetti Noodles, because of minimal ingredients and supporting local farmers directly, but any work just fine! Off brand, barilla, etc.
Spaghetti Sauce: use your favorite kind or homemade. I usually use Prego Spaghetti Sauce.
Dairy Products: this recipe supports dairy farmers heavily–which I love! I add cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Spices + Seasonings: I use minced garlic, salt and pepper.
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
- Brown ground beef and prepare noodles.
In a large pan, brown your ground beef and prepare noodles per your package instructions. Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Prepare creamy sauce
Once beef is cooked and drained, add the cubed cream cheese and sour cream to the beef. Stir until melted well, then add the pasta sauce and parmesan cheese. Let simmer a couple minutes and combine well. Add the cooked spaghetti noodles and stir well.
- Top and bake
Pour the spaghetti into a large baking dish (9×13, etc) and top with mozzarella. Bake until cheese is melted and sides are bubbling.
How to Make Creamy Spaghetti in the Skillet
Make this dish the exact way in the skillet. Just skip step #3, sprinkle the mozzarella on top of the spaghetti in the skillet, and place the lid on the skillet for a couple of minutes until cheese is melted. OR you can skip the mozzarella entirely.
Freezer Meal Instructions
As I mentioned, I use this recipe in my freezer meal business and have had great success with it. This is how I do it:
Prepare as recipe instructs but do NOT bake. I suggest boiling noodles for 2 minutes less than what instructions advise. Pour the spaghetti mixture into a freezer safe casserole dish. (I use foil pans). Let it cool completely, top with mozzarella cheese and cover tightly. Store for up to 3 months.
To bake: thaw completely (this take 24 hours + in the fridge) and then bake per recipe instructions.
Tips and Variations
Protein: try ground pork, ground venison or ground turkey
Cheese: use ricotta instead of cream cheese for a more traditional baked pasta
Flavor Boost: add red pepper flakes to taste, Italian seasoning or a splash of heavy cream for richness.
Pasta: try penne or rotini pasta or angel hair.
Vegetables: try adding mushrooms, onion, spinach or diced bell peppers.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Bake FAQs
because unlike traditional spaghettis, it is very rich and creamy — so fancy!
You technically can, but I have not tried to. You would need to bake covered for an additional amount of time until warmed through.
Absolutely. If it seems dried out a bit, just add a splash of cream or milk. Very easy to warm in microwave!
What to pair with million dollar spaghetti
- Garlic Toast – this is a family favorite!
- Side Salad
- Roasted veggies like green beans or broccoli
More comforting ground beef recipes
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Creamy Million Dollar Spaghetti (baked, skillet or freezer meal)
Equipment
- 1 large baking dish if baking
- 1 large skillet
- 1 pot to boil noodles
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb ground beef or ground pork
- 24 oz pasta sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1-2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesean cheese
- 1-2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt and pepper or to taste
Instructions
Baked Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare spaghetti per package instructions, drain and set aside.12 oz spaghetti noodles
- While Spaghetti is boiling, prepare the sauce. Brown 1 lb of ground beef in a skillet. Add minced garlic. Drain any grease.1 lb ground beef, 1-2 tbsp minced garlic
- Add cubed cream cheese and sour cream to the beef mixture. Let it melt by occasionally stirring together with the beef. Once that is melted together well, add your jar of pasta sauce and continue mixing together. Then add parmesan cheese to the mixture. Taste the sauce, add salt and pepper as needed (I use about 1/2 tsp)24 oz pasta sauce, 4 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup shredded parmesean cheese, 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
- Add the prepared spaghetti to the pot of sauce. Continue to combine well.
- Pour the spaghetti in to a large casserole dish (8×11, etc), top with mozzarella cheese. Bake covered for 25 minutes at 350 F, then remove cover and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted, golden and sides are bubbling.1-2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Notes
Nutrition
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Family all time favorite!