Cheesy Million Dollar Casserole

A Little History

The “Million Dollar” name comes from Southern and Midwestern casserole traditions, where home cooks would load a dish with layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce to make it taste like a “million bucks.” Versions of this dish popped up in church potlucks, family gatherings, and community cookbooks in the 1970s–80s. The secret is always in the creamy cheese mixture (often ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, or cottage cheese) that makes the pasta incredibly indulgent.

This dish became internet-famous thanks to bloggers who called it Million Dollar Spaghetti or Million Dollar Casserole. Today, the “cheesy” version is the ultimate comfort food, with gooey melted cheese on top and a hearty, creamy center.

Ingredients (Serves 8–10)

• 1 pound (450g) spaghetti or penne pasta
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef (or Italian sausage for extra flavor)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz / 680g) marinara or spaghetti sauce
• 1 can (14 oz / 400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Creamy cheese layer (the “million-dollar” secret):

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Topping:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Step-by-Step Method

1. Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook pasta until al dente (a little firm, since it will bake later).
• Drain and set aside.

2. Prepare the Meat Sauce

• In a skillet, cook ground beef (or sausage) over medium heat until browned.
• Add onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant and softened.
• Stir in marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, and pepper.
• Let simmer for 10–15 minutes so flavors develop.

3. Make the Cheese Filling

• In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta (or cottage cheese), mozzarella, and Parmesan.
• Mix until smooth and creamy.

4. Assemble the Casserole

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Layering order:

1. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
2. Add half of the pasta.
3. Spread all of the creamy cheese mixture evenly over pasta.
4. Spoon half of the meat sauce over cheese.
5. Add remaining pasta.
6. Top with remaining sauce.
7. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese generously on top.

5. Bake

• Cover with foil (to prevent cheese from burning).
• Bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.

6. Serve

• Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
• Garnish with fresh parsley.

Benefits

• Protein-rich – beef and cheese provide muscle-building protein.
• Calcium-loaded – from mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan for strong bones.
• Comfort food – warms you up and satisfies cravings.
• Family-friendly – loved by kids and adults, makes big portions.
• Customizable – swap beef for turkey, add spinach or zucchini, or use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition (per serving, approx. 1/10 of casserole)

• Calories: 480–520 kcal
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fat: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Calcium: 20% DV

Conclusion

Cheesy Million Dollar Casserole is the ultimate potluck superstar—creamy, hearty, and cheesy enough to win over a crowd. Whether you’re feeding a big family, hosting a gathering, or just want leftovers that taste better the next day, this dish delivers every time. The combination of pasta, rich meat sauce, and indulgent cheese filling explains why it’s called million dollar—it feels priceless when you dig in.