Food Fairy Favorite: Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
Every Food Fairy needs a few recipes she can count on, and Million Dollar Spaghetti is one of mine.
As a Southerner at heart, I believe there are times in life when showing up with a meal is simply what you do. When a friend is recovering from surgery, welcoming a new baby, caring for a loved one, or walking through a season of grief, a homemade meal provides more than nourishment—it provides comfort.
That's why this recipe is one of my favorite dishes to share.
Million Dollar Spaghetti combines everything we love about baked pasta: tender spaghetti, a hearty meat sauce, creamy layers of ricotta and cream cheese, and a blanket of melted mozzarella. It's rich, satisfying, and makes enough to feed a hungry family with leftovers to enjoy the next day.
One of the reasons I love giving this dish as a Food Fairy gift is that it travels well and reheats beautifully. In fact, many people say it's even better the second day after all the flavors have had time to come together.
When I deliver Million Dollar Spaghetti, I often pair it with my Strawberry Spinach Salad, a loaf of homemade sourdough bread, and a large container of homemade cookies. Together, they create a complete meal that allows a family to gather around the table without having to think about what to cook.
Ingredients
1 lbs. Spaghetti
2 TBS Butter
1 32oz. jar Rao’s Marinara Sauce
1 lbs. ground sirloin
1 lbs. mild Italian sausage
1 cup chopped onion
1 tsp. garlic
1 tsp. Oregano
1 tsp. Basil
¼ cup water
2 TBS. Tomato paste
1-8 oz. Cream Cheese
1 cup Ricotta Cheese
½ cup Parmesan Cheese
1 cup Mozzarella
Fresh Parsley
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13 deep dish casserole.
Cook spaghetti according to package. Drain and toss with 2 TBS of butter and 1 cup of marinara sauce. Place in 13 x 9
Brown sirloin and Italian sausage in a medium pot. Drain and return to pot. Add 1 cup onion and garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add Basil and Oregano.
Add remaining marinara to pot. Add ¼ cup of water to Marinara jar. Shake and add to sauce.
Add 2 TBS. Tomato Paste. Allow to simmer while preparing cheese mixture.
Add softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, and ½ cup Parmesan. Mix and add to the top of the spaghetti mixture.
Pour spaghetti sauce over cheese mixture. Top with 1 cup of mozzarella and fresh parsley.
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
Food has a way of speaking when words fall short. A casserole on the doorstep says, "I'm thinking about you." A loaf of bread says, "Take one thing off your plate today." And a pan of Million Dollar Spaghetti says, "Dinner is covered."
Sometimes the simplest acts of kindness leave the biggest impact. This recipe has helped me care for friends, neighbors, family members, and coworkers through life's celebrations and challenges, and I hope it becomes one of your favorite meals to share as well.
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