Baked spaghetti layered with a creamy cheese filling and hearty tomato sauce. This approachable version keeps the method straightforward, with familiar ingredients and a few small details that make dinner easier.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Familiar ingredients with plenty of flavor.
- About 55 minutes from prep to table.
- Easy to round out with a simple green salad.
What you’ll need
Keep everything measured and close by before you start. You’ll find the full quantities in the printable recipe card below.
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup ricotta
- ½ tsp dried Italian herbs
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
Let’s make it
Get ready
Heat the oven to 375°F. Cook spaghetti 2 minutes less than the package directs, then drain.
Build the flavor
Brown beef in a skillet until it reaches 160°F. Drain, then stir in marinara.
Bring it together
Mix cream cheese, ricotta, and herbs in a bowl.
Finish cooking
Layer half the spaghetti in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, spread with the cheese mixture, then add remaining spaghetti and beef sauce.
Serve and enjoy
Top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake for 25–30 minutes until bubbling and heated through; rest for 5 minutes.
Make It Even Better
Undercook the pasta slightly so it stays firm after baking.
Read through the recipe and measure the ingredients before starting.
Make it your own
Use ground turkey cooked to 165°F, or a cooked mushroom filling instead of beef.
What to serve with it
A simple green salad
More dinner inspiration ↗Storage & reheating
Refrigerate leftovers in a shallow, covered container within 2 hours. Use within 3 days. Reheat gently until the center reaches 165°F, adding a splash of water or broth if needed.
COOKS COURT · THE RECIPE
Million-Dollar Spaghetti
Baked spaghetti layered with a creamy cheese filling and hearty tomato sauce.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
Ingredients
For the recipe
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup ricotta
- ½ tsp dried Italian herbs
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F. Cook spaghetti 2 minutes less than the package directs, then drain.
- Brown beef in a skillet until it reaches 160°F. Drain, then stir in marinara.
- Mix cream cheese, ricotta, and herbs in a bowl.
- Layer half the spaghetti in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, spread with the cheese mixture, then add remaining spaghetti and beef sauce.
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake for 25–30 minutes until bubbling and heated through; rest for 5 minutes.
Notes
- Undercook the pasta slightly so it stays firm after baking.
Cooks Court · /recipes/million-dollar-spaghetti
