The Millionaires Baked Spaghetti Casserole Rich Ragu and Molten Mozzarella

Why This Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Is My Go-To for Everything

Okay, hands up if you sometimes just crave serious comfort food? I mean the kind of meal that wraps you up like a warm blanket on a miserable, rainy day.

Well, that is exactly what this Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is all about. Honestly, it makes those quick weeknight pasta dishes look a bit sad.

This glorious dish is essentially an American-Italian mash-up of cheesy, layered goodness. It takes the best of a hearty pasta dish and stacks it into a gorgeous layered pasta bake .

You get that intensely flavoured, thick Rich Meat Sauce nestled between tender spaghetti. And then there is the middle layer, you know? The creamy, savoury Ricotta cheese pasta bake filling just melts into pure heaven!

Don't let the name fool you into thinking this is difficult. The active prep time is maybe 30 minutes, tops.

If you can brown a stellar ground beef pasta dish and boil water, you can master this incredible Spaghetti Casserole .

The best part about 9x13 casserole recipes is that they are ideal for prepping ahead of time, which is a life-saver on busy Saturdays.

My biggest win with this Million Dollar Spaghetti ? It’s simply brilliant for Feeding A Crowd . I first made this for a huge family reunion, and the sheer amount of cheesy satisfaction actually silenced all conversation for ten whole minutes—that's a miracle when my cousins are around! Plus, because it’s packed with protein in that great Meat Sauce , it keeps everyone full and happy for hours.

It truly is pure, uncomplicated fuel.

This is more than just a typical baked spaghetti recipe ; it’s an edible centerpiece, designed to make your guests gasp.

It manages to feel fancy while tasting exactly like your favourite childhood dish. Ready to dive into this cheesy masterpiece? Let's look at the simple ingredients you need to transform humble pasta into this truly opulent feast.

Hello there, you lovely lot! I’m absolutely buzzing to share this recipe. Honestly, if you need a showstopper for Feeding A Crowd , this Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is your new best friend.

It’s pure edible gold. Think of it as the ultimate comfort food upgrade.

The Millionaires Baked Spaghetti Casserole Rich Ragu and Molten Mozzarella Recipe Card

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Preparation time:30 Mins

Cooking time:40 Mins

Servings:8 servings

Ingredients:

• 16 oz box Spaghetti Pasta (or similar long, thin pasta)
• 1 Tbsp Coarse Kosher Salt (for water)
• 2 Large Eggs (lightly beaten)
• 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (melted)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
• 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 large Yellow Onion (finely diced)
• 4 Garlic Cloves (minced)
• 1.5 lbs Ground Beef (85/15 blend recommended)
• 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
• 1/2 cup Dry Red Wine (Optional, e.g., Merlot or Chianti)
• 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes (canned, good quality)
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1 tsp Dried Basil
• 1 Bay Leaf
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper (To taste)
• 15 oz container Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese (drained of excess liquid)
• 1 Large Egg
• 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped)
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt and Pepper (for ricotta mix)
• 3 cups Low-Moisture Whole Milk Mozzarella (shredded)

Instructions:

• Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened (5–7 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Brown the Meat: Add ground beef, break it up, and cook until browned. Drain off excess fat. Build the Flavour Base: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Deglaze with red wine (if using); simmer until reduced by half. Simmer: Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaf before assembly.
• Boil the spaghetti in heavily salted water until al dente (1 minute less than package directions). Drain immediately. In the same pot, combine the drained spaghetti with the 2 beaten eggs, melted butter, and grated Parmesan. Toss quickly until the pasta is fully coated to create the essential 'glue'.
• In a medium bowl, combine the well-drained ricotta cheese, the single large egg, chopped parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until homogeneous. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread the seasoned spaghetti mixture evenly across the bottom and slightly up the sides of the dish, forming a compact base. Spread about one-third of the meat ragu evenly over the spaghetti base. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the sauce layer (do not spread). Spoon the remaining ragu over the ricotta layer. Top generously and evenly with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the mozzarella is bubbling and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a crucial 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the layers to set properly.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:740 kcal

Protein:45 g

Fat:42 g

Carbs:50 g

Fiber:5 g

Sodium:850 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American-Italian

Getting Started: The Magic Behind the Million Dollar Spaghetti

What You Need for This Baked Spaghetti Recipe

Right, let's talk shopping. Making this Spaghetti Casserole isn't hard work. But good ingredients truly matter. For the Rich Meat Sauce , skip the super lean beef.

Honestly, 85/15 Ground beef pasta dish is the sweet spot. Fat equals flavour, darling. You need 1.5 lbs (680 g) of that beef.

Trust me on that quality indicator.

Oh, and the ricotta! This is the core of the Ricotta cheese pasta bake . Use whole milk ricotta. And here is my pro-tip (I learned this the soggy way): drain it well.

If it’s watery, your beautiful Layered pasta bake will be sadly soupy. Yuck. You need a full 15 oz container (425 g) of well-drained ricotta cheese.

No compromise there. We want creamy pockets of heaven, not bathwater.

Essential Flavour Boosts and Seasoning Notes

The flavour base is crucial. We are building a truly incredible Meat Sauce . Start with four cloves of garlic and a large yellow onion.

Don't rush the sauté! That slow burn makes the sauce sing. It builds depth. I use classic Italian herbs: dried oregano and basil (1 tsp of each).

We aren’t reinventing the wheel here.

If you don't keep dry red wine ( 1/2 cup ) for the deglazing, no worries. Just use a splash of beef stock instead.

It helps lift those tasty browned bits stuck to the pan. That simple step is the secret to deep flavour.

It makes the Rich Meat Sauce taste like it simmered all day.

Gear Check: Tools for the 9x13 Casserole Recipes

You don't need fancy chef tools here. This is classic, reliable comfort cooking. You definitely need a sturdy 9x13 casserole recipes dish.

Measure it first! An incorrectly sized dish makes assembly truly messy. I once used one too small; it overflowed and smoked up the kitchen.

Nightmare!

A large stockpot for the spaghetti and a deep skillet or Dutch oven for the Rich Meat Sauce are also vital.

That’s about it, really. You also need good measuring cups. Honestly, if you can boil water and own a big dish, you can totally crush this Million Dollar Spaghetti .

It's the simplest path to maximum edible joy!

Whipping Up the Magic: Your Step-by-Step Guide to the Ultimate Layered Pasta Bake

Honestly, making this Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole isn't hard. It’s mostly just layering things in the right order. Think of it like building a delicious brick house! But here’s the thing: organization is your best friend.

Skip the chaos. Getting all your bits ready first makes the assembly fly by. Trust me, I once tried to drain pasta while browning beef.

It was a disaster, you know?

Prep Steps: Get Your Mise En Place Together

We are talking about making a proper, beautiful Layered pasta bake . The secret to a stress-free assembly is having everything lined up like little soldiers.

First, get your Ricotta cheese pasta bake mix ready. Whisk that ricotta, egg, and seasoning until creamy. Next, make sure your Rich Meat Sauce has simmered for at least 30 minutes and is off the heat.

That long simmer is what gives the Meat Sauce its deep flavor. Finally, get your 9x13 casserole recipes dish lightly greased and ready to receive the goods.

The Million Dollar Assembly Process

This is where the magic happens and we turn simple ingredients into a stunning, huge meal perfect for Feeding A Crowd . We are building upward!

1. The Base: Take your dressed spaghetti—the one tossed with butter and egg—and press it firmly into the bottom of your prepared dish. This creates a sturdy 'crust' for the Spaghetti Casserole .
2. First Sauce: Spread about a third of the glorious Rich Meat Sauce over that spaghetti base.
3. The Creamy Layer: Dollop the creamy ricotta mixture generously across the sauce. Don't spread it totally thin; those little dollops will melt into pockets of creamy heaven.
4. Second Sauce: Spoon the remaining Ground beef pasta dish sauce over the ricotta. Cover as much of the white cheese as you can.
5. The Crown: Finish the whole shebang with three cups of shredded mozzarella. Go wild! This is the crown jewel of our Baked spaghetti recipe .

Pro Tips for a Perfect Bake

The difference between a good Million Dollar Spaghetti and a great one comes down to two tiny little steps most people skip.

First, always remember to drain your ricotta. That extra liquid is the enemy of a firm Spaghetti Casserole . I actually put mine in a sieve for 15 minutes while the Rich Meat Sauce simmers.

Second, the temperature is key. We bake this beauty covered for the first 25 minutes at 375° F ( 190° C) .

Then, uncover it for the last 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Finally, and this is the most important tip: Once it’s out, you absolutely must let it rest for 10 minutes .

Resist the urge to slice immediately! That rest allows the melted cheese and layers to set, meaning you get clean, beautiful slices instead of a messy pile.

Honestly, it makes all the difference when you're carving up this epic Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole for your mates. Enjoy, you absolute legend!

Notes on Nailing the Million Dollar Casserole

Right, now you’ve conquered making this beast of a Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole ! Honestly, this is one of my go-to 9x13 casserole recipes .

When I first made this Layered pasta bake , I forgot how much Rich Meat Sauce it actually uses. But that richness is exactly why we love it, isn't it? This isn't just dinner; it’s an event.

Let’s quickly talk about presentation, leftovers, and swapping ingredients.

Feeding A Crowd: Serving Suggestions

Look, fancy plating isn't the point here. This dish is built for Feeding A Crowd . We want rustic charm, you know? Serve the Spaghetti Casserole right out of the 9x13 dish.

That gorgeous, bubbling cheese topping should be centre stage. I always pair this heavy Ground beef pasta dish with something light.

A crisp green salad with a sharp lemon dressing is perfect. It cuts through the creamy Ricotta cheese pasta bake beautifully.

For drinks? Grab a decent, hearty Italian red wine like a Barbera. Honestly, a cold British lager works just as well.

It’s comforting food, not a culinary exam!

Storage Secrets: Keep it Fresh

The beauty of this Baked spaghetti recipe is the leftovers. They are almost better the next day! Just cover the cooled casserole tightly with cling film.

Pop it in the fridge for up to four days. It makes such a fast lunch. To reheat, the oven is definitely best.

Tent it loosely with foil at 350° F ( 175° C) until it's piping hot inside. Microwaving works in a pinch, but sometimes the spaghetti edges dry out.

Pro tip: If you know you won't eat it all, freeze individual slices wrapped in foil before they dry out—perfect for a speedy weekday meal!

Variations and Simple Swaps

Want a lighter version of this heavy Million Dollar Spaghetti ? You can absolutely swap the Ground beef for ground turkey.

Or, even better for a vegetarian dish, use lentils and finely diced mushrooms. Just make sure you simmer them long enough.

That Meat Sauce will still taste amazing and deep. If you are dodging gluten, just use gluten-free spaghetti. Since we are coating the spaghetti in egg and butter, it holds together really well, making assembly easy.

This dish is designed to be forgiving.

Quick Nutrition Basics

Okay, let's be real. This Layered pasta bake is classic comfort food. It’s rich, satisfying, and full of dairy. However, it’s homemade.

That means you know exactly what is going into your Rich Meat Sauce . You are getting fantastic protein from the meat and dairy.

Plus, the whole wheat pasta adds some good fibre. It is pure soul food, and sometimes, that is the most important health benefit of all!

Don't stress the small stuff. This Million Dollar Spaghetti is a guaranteed winner every single time. It's hearty, delicious, and guaranteed to make everyone happy.

Now go enjoy tucking into this fantastic dish!