This creamy, cheesy Million Dollar Spaghetti layers tender spaghetti with seasoned ground beef, a rich tomato sauce, and a three-cheese topping baked until bubbly — a comfort-food favorite for weeknights and potlucks.
1tablespoongranulated sugaroptional, to balance acidity
2tablespoonsfresh parsleychopped, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation Steps
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes to thicken slightly.
In a large bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Fold in 1 cup cheddar and 1 cup mozzarella.
Combine the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce, then fold in the cheese mixture until evenly coated.
Transfer the spaghetti mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan evenly over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and edges are lightly golden.
Remove from oven, let stand 5 minutes, garnish with chopped parsley, then serve warm.
Notes
Make ahead: Assemble and refrigerate (unbaked) up to 24 hours; add 5–10 minutes to baking time. Leftovers keep 3–4 days in the refrigerator.