I kept seeing this pasta all over TikTok and finally caved to try it.
One pan later my whole family fell in love and now it shows up on our table way more often than I planned.
It’s one of those recipes that looks impressive but takes almost no effort.
You just toss it together, bake it, and somehow it tastes like it came straight from a restaurant.
The best part is that it works on busy nights, lazy weekends, or those days when you just need something everyone will actually eat without complaining.
What You Need to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Spaghetti: the base of the whole dish, nothing fancy needed
- Ground beef: adds that hearty flavor everyone looks for
- Spaghetti sauce: grab your favorite jar and call it a day
- Cream cheese: makes the middle layer extra creamy
- Cottage cheese: adds a little tang that blends right in
- Sour cream: smooths out the filling so it all melts together
- Butter: gives the pasta that rich baked flavor
- Mozzarella cheese: melts into the perfect gooey top layer
- Parmesan cheese: adds a salty finish that brings everything together
- Salt and pepper: simple seasoning that pulls the flavors together
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti
1. Cook the Pasta
Boil your spaghetti just like you normally do, then drain it well.
You want it soft but not mushy since it will bake later.
Set it aside so you can get everything else going.
2. Brown the Beef
Cook the ground beef in a skillet until it is no longer pink.
Drain off the extra grease so the final dish stays rich without feeling heavy.
Stir in your spaghetti sauce and let it warm through.
Let it simmer for a minute to help the flavors come together.
3. Mix the Creamy Layer
In a bowl, stir together the cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream.
It comes together pretty fast once the cream cheese softens.
This layer is what gives the dish that creamy, lasagna like vibe.
4. Build the Layers
Spread a few slices of butter on the bottom of your baking dish.
Add half the spaghetti, then the creamy mixture, then the rest of the spaghetti.
Pour the meat sauce over the top and spread it out.
5. Add the Cheese and Bake
Top everything with sliced butter and a big handful of mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling around the edges.
Let it rest a few minutes so it sets.
Cutting into it too early makes it fall apart, so give it a little time.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
This pasta went viral on TikTok for a reason!
It’ is’s creamy, cheesy, simple to throw together, and tastes like a cross between baked spaghetti and lasagna.
It’ll feed your whole family with leftovers for tomorrow.
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup butter, sliced
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Steps
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat and drain the fat.
- Pour in the spaghetti sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream until smooth.
- Lay half the butter slices on the bottom of the baking dish.
- Add half the spaghetti on top of the butter and spread the cheese mixture over it.
- Place the rest of the spaghetti on top and spoon the meat sauce over everything.
- Add the remaining butter slices and sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
- Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
The Magic of Million Dollar Spaghetti
There is something about this dish that just hits the spot every time!
It’s easy to put together, it makes the whole house smell amazing, and it somehow feels like comfort and celebration all at once.
If you keep the ingredients on hand, you can pull it together on any night that needs a little extra warmth.
