Million Greenback Spaghetti

Revealed: 6/16/25

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Million Greenback Spaghetti is a staple throughout Southern American households, particularly in states like Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. Individuals typically serve it throughout potlucks, Sunday household lunches, or any get-together that requires a full oven tray and a contented crowd. Eating places that characteristic baked pasta dishes typically embrace it on the menu as a comforting go-to that pleases most diners. I personally like this dish when paired with toasted garlic bread and crisp salad. This pairing balances the richness with out overpowering something.

For this model of Million Greenback Spaghetti, I used a mix of floor beef and Italian sausage to construct that meat base. I crammed the middle with a full-bodied cheese combination that features ricotta, bitter cream, and cream cheese. Moreover, I used sharp cheddar each inside and on high to construct layers of taste within the style. This methodology doesn’t depend on overly salty processed cheeses.

What’s Million Greenback Spaghetti?

Million Greenback Spaghetti, or typically known as “Millionaire Spaghetti,” is a baked pasta casserole made with layers of spaghetti, meat sauce, and a thick cheese combination within the center. It is sort of a mash-up between lasagna and baked ziti. It skips the pasta sheets and as a substitute makes use of spaghetti as the principle starch. The title probably comes from its indulgent filling and golden high. It appears extravagant however makes use of on a regular basis substances.

This baked Million Greenback Spaghetti has grown in recognition throughout the Southern United States. Oven-based meals typically seem on massive household tables. Exterior the U.S., different individuals recreate it as a result of it really works effectively for batch cooking. It additionally provides a wealthy and hearty base that doesn’t want difficult substances.

Some additionally confuse Million Greenback Spaghetti with Baked Spaghetti. The latter solely makes use of plain marinara and mozzarella, however this model is far richer and creamier within the center. So in the event you thought lasagna was the one layered pasta sport on the town, this tacky quantity may change your thoughts. So let’s dig into the substances subsequent.

Components & Goal

Spaghetti noodles (32 ounces) – This pasta holds the whole lot collectively. I coat the noodles with butter whereas they’re nonetheless heat so that they don’t clump and keep wealthy all through.
Sharp cheddar cheese (1 cup, shredded) – I like this cheese for the highest layer. It melts easily and provides a deeper style than different gentle cheeses.
Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, sliced into 6 parts) – Butter is break up up for 2 causes: some goes with the noodles, and the remainder sits on high earlier than baking. It offers richness throughout layers.

For the sauce:

Floor beef (1 pound) – This provides a stable, hearty chunk. The meat works as the bottom for taste and offers weight to the sauce.
Floor Italian sausage (1 pound) – I embrace this due to its additional seasonings like fennel and paprika. It helps break the monotony of plain beef and provides distinction.
Spaghetti sauce (48 ounces) – I normally use jarred sauce right here for comfort, particularly after I want to arrange issues sooner. It units the tone for the meat and pasta to observe.
Yellow onion (1, minced) – The onion softens and blends into the sauce, however its sweetness brings stability to the acidic tomato.
Garlic (5 cloves, minced) – I am going large on garlic. It deepens the flavour and doesn’t fade out in the course of the baking.
Dried basil (1 teaspoon) – This provides a touch of herbiness. I keep on with dried as a result of it holds up higher below warmth.
Salt and floor black pepper (to style) – These two do the ultimate lifting. I add them step by step so I can modify after the sauce simmers.

For the cheese layer:

Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened) – I let this sit at room temp so it folds simply. It acts as the bottom for the center layer and retains the whole lot creamy.
Bitter cream (1/2 cup) – Bitter cream cuts the richness a bit. It additionally helps the cream cheese mix with out being too thick.
Ricotta cheese (2 cups) – I take advantage of ricotta so as to add moisture and lightness. It retains the filling gentle with out turning right into a runny mess.
Mozzarella cheese (2 cups, shredded) – Mozzarella is right here for the pull. It melts into the filling however nonetheless holds form when sliced.
Sharp cheddar cheese (1 cup, shredded) – The second spherical of cheddar goes proper on high. It finishes the dish with a stable golden layer after baking.

The right way to Prepare dinner Million Greenback Spaghetti

Put together the Pasta Base – Boil 2 quarts of water in a big pot, then cook dinner 32 ounces of spaghetti noodles till they flip al dente. Observe the bundle directions. After draining, reserve among the pasta water for later use. Toss the noodles with 1/4 cup unsalted butter whereas they’re nonetheless sizzling. This enables the butter to soften and coat evenly. This system retains the strands from sticking whereas including a gentle, wealthy base for the layers of Million Greenback Spaghetti.
Prepare dinner the Meat Sauce – Place a pot over excessive warmth and add 1 pound of floor beef. Let it cook dinner till the fats renders. Then scoop the oil out earlier than including 1 pound of floor Italian sausage. Stir in 1 minced yellow onion and 5 minced garlic cloves, cooking for about 3 extra minutes. Pour in 48 ounces of spaghetti sauce and three/4 cup of pasta water. Let it boil, then cut back warmth to simmer for quarter-hour. Season with 1 teaspoon dried basil, salt, and floor black pepper to your style.
Combine the Cheese Layer – In a clear mixing bowl, mix 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup bitter cream, 2 cups ricotta cheese, and a couple of cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Add 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese and fold till absolutely blended. I normally do that step whereas the sauce is simmering. This protects time. This wealthy combination works as the center layer and contrasts with the tomato base.
Preheat and Start Meeting – Set your oven to 350 F. Whereas it preheats, begin assembling in a baking tray by inserting half of the buttered spaghetti on the underside. Unfold the noodle layer evenly and canopy each inch to help the cheese above. Use a spatula to assist flatten and hold issues tidy. This primary layer serves as a basis for what comes subsequent in our Million Greenback Spaghetti.
Add Cheese and Repeat Layers – Unfold your entire cheese combination over the noodles, smoothing it from edge to edge. Add the remainder of the spaghetti on high and degree it out with a fork or spoon. Distribute the remaining 1/4 cup butter throughout this high layer whereas it’s nonetheless heat. This layering method locks within the cheese with out letting it bleed out.
High It Off and Bake – Pour all the meat sauce evenly over the second noodle layer. Remember to cowl the corners effectively so nothing dries out. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese throughout the highest as the ultimate layer. Bake uncovered for 25 to 35 minutes till the highest cheese appears golden and set.
Cool Earlier than Serving – Take away the baking tray and let it relaxation for 10 minutes earlier than slicing. This ready interval permits the construction to settle, so the slices don’t disintegrate when served. It additionally helps the flavors mix extra totally. I at all times serve Million Greenback Spaghetti with heat garlic bread on the aspect for a basic pairing. Take pleasure in!

Ideas & Tips

Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese. Softened cream cheese blends higher and prevents clumps within the cheese layer. Chilly cream cheese can resist mixing, which could result in uneven pockets of dairy within the center layer. I at all times take it out a minimum of half-hour earlier than prep. In the event you overlook, a fast 10-second microwave burst helps. Simply keep away from overheating it otherwise you’ll lose its consistency.
Scoop Out Extra Oil from the Beef. As soon as the meat cooks down, you’ll discover oil floating within the pot. Don’t skip eradicating it. Leaving an excessive amount of can result in a greasy dish that overwhelms the opposite layers. I take advantage of a ladle to skim it out proper earlier than including sausage.
Use Pasta Water as a Sauce Enhancer. The starch in reserved pasta water helps bond the sauce collectively. It additionally prevents the sauce from thinning an excessive amount of when simmered. I take advantage of precisely 3/4 cup from the water I boiled the noodles in. Keep away from plain water because it gained’t have the identical binding impact. This straightforward step provides physique to the sauce.
Don’t Skip the Resting Time. Letting the baked spaghetti sit for 10 minutes helps the cheese and sauce settle. In the event you serve it straight out of the oven, the layers will slide and collapse. Giving it that brief pause additionally deepens the flavour after baking. I normally time it good to heat the garlic bread throughout this wait. That means, the whole lot’s prepared on the similar time.
Divide into Two Smaller Trays for Freezing. This recipe makes a big portion. You’ll be able to divide it between two medium trays and freeze one for later. Use aluminum trays and canopy tightly earlier than freezing. If you’re able to eat the frozen batch, let it thaw in a single day and bake at 350 F for about 40 minutes. This trick helps you get forward on meal prep with out additional work.

Finest Methods to Take pleasure in Million Greenback Spaghetti

Let’s be sincere – there’s no well mannered approach to eat a hefty slice of Million Greenback Spaghetti. Individuals within the South and Midwest of the US typically serve Million Greenback Spaghetti throughout household reunions or potlucks. This dish feeds loads and retains its form even after cooling down. When company arrive, it goes straight from oven to desk without having a elaborate dish.

At most church capabilities or group occasions in these areas, this baked spaghetti sits subsequent to rolls, casseroles, and sheet desserts. Households with busy schedules freeze this upfront. They slice solely what they want for weeknight dinners. That behavior makes it one of many extra sensible baked pasta dishes round.

How This Million Greenback Spaghetti Stands Out

Not like what you’ll discover in most on-line recipes, my model of Million Greenback Spaghetti doesn’t rely closely on cottage cheese or overly salty sauces. Others additionally lean towards fusion, incorporating substances that steer it removed from the consolation fashion most People grew up with. My model sticks nearer to conventional layers. I modify the meat ratio by utilizing each floor beef and Italian sausage in equal components. That retains the meat sauce richer with out being greasy.

Moreover, my soak up Million Greenback Spaghetti combines the softness of ricotta, the tang from bitter cream, and the physique from cream cheese. The layering offers you distinction, however it doesn’t overpower the sauce. I’ve additionally refined the butter method by spreading it between noodle layers as a substitute of simply melting it multi function go. That straightforward transfer provides softness with out making the bottom soggy.

Whereas most variations of Million Greenback Spaghetti pile the whole lot in a single go, I intentionally construct it in levels. This methodology lets the cheese combination stand out. In comparison with extra rushed variations or people who lean too far into fusion, this strategy retains the essence of the unique. It additionally offers extra management over every chunk. Let’s stroll by way of the cooking steps so you possibly can put together it the identical means at house.

What to Have with Million Greenback Spaghetti

The Million Greenback Spaghetti normally seems on American dinner tables, and the aspect dishes typically follow acquainted staples. Garlic bread stays the go-to. Its crispy edge and gentle butter taste match the baked cheese high and meat sauce. The distinction in textures helps break up every chunk, so you possibly can strive my garlic bread recipe.

Many households serve this pasta alongside a easy inexperienced salad. They hold it gentle with romaine (strive my rooster Caesar salad) or iceberg. Coleslaw is one other widespread selection. crunch and coolness reset the palate when the dish will get too heavy.

Lastly, buttered corn or corn on the cob is a typical pairing. Youngsters particularly like that mixture, and it seems typically in home-style American dinners.

All these sides work as a result of they don’t combat for consideration. They only give the Million Greenback Spaghetti more room to shine whereas nonetheless holding their floor on the plate.

In the event you’re into the consolation baked fashion of Million Greenback Spaghetti, you’ll discover lots to like in these carefully associated pasta recipes. They share the identical hearty tone however have distinctive options that make every one stand by itself.

Baked Spaghetti – This recipe retains the baking methodology however leans lighter on the cheese. It highlights the candy, meaty Filipino-style sauce with hotdogs as a substitute of wealthy dairy layers. Good while you need oven-baked pasta with out the heavy cheese middle.
Pinoy Spaghetti – Attempt the Filipino model! It’s a go-to for events and merienda, this model makes use of banana ketchup, floor meat, and hotdogs. It skips the oven solely, specializing in sweetness and fast stovetop prep. Nice in order for you one thing quick and nostalgic.
Panlasang Pinoy Spaghetti – That’s me! I mix the standard Pinoy taste with a deeper sauce profile. It’s nonetheless candy, however it comes with extra seasoning and a sophisticated end. Select this while you need stovetop spaghetti with a bit extra persona.

From the tacky layers to the daring meat sauce, Million Greenback Spaghetti stands on the coronary heart of the whole lot comforting about baked pasta. Attempt one subsequent and discover your individual go-to model for weeknights, potlucks, or that random pasta craving.

Did you make this? In the event you snap a photograph, please make sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we are able to see your creations!

A layered baked spaghetti dish that mixes creamy cheese filling with a wealthy meat sauce and buttery noodles

Prep: 15 minutes

Prepare dinner: 1 hour

Whole: 1 hour

Directions

Begin by cooking the spaghetti. Boil 2 quarts of water after which cook dinner the spaghetti primarily based on bundle directions till al dente. Drain the pasta water and put it aside for later.

32 ounces spaghetti noodles
Place the spaghetti in a big bowl and add half of the butter rapidly whereas the noodles are sizzling. Toss till the spaghetti is totally coated with butter. Put aside.

1/2 cup unsalted butter
Prepare dinner the sauce by heating a cooking pot and including the bottom beef. Prepare dinner the meat utilizing excessive warmth setting till the fats will get rendered (be aware: the rendered fats turns into the oil).

48 ounces spaghetti sauce, 1 lb. floor beef
Scoop the oil out of the pot after which add the bottom Italian sausage. Sauté for 3 minutes.

1 lb. floor Italian sausage
Add the minced onion and garlic. Proceed to sauté for two to three minutes extra.

1 yellow onion, 5 cloves garlic
Pour the spaghetti sauce into the pot. Additionally add ¾ cup of pasta water. Let the combination boil. As soon as boiling, modify the warmth to a simmer. Cowl the pot and simmer for quarter-hour (or till the sauce thickens) whereas stirring often. Season with dried basil, salt, and floor black pepper. Put aside.

1 teaspoon dried basil, salt and floor black pepper to style
Mix all of the cheese combination substances in a bowl. Fold till effectively blended. Put aside.

8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup bitter cream, 2 cups ricotta cheese, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
Preheat your oven to 350 F.
In the meantime, assemble the Million Greenback Spaghetti by inserting half of the spaghetti in a baking tray. Stage it and ensure that your entire floor of the baking tray is roofed.
High with the cheese combination and unfold it out evenly.
Prepare the remaining spaghetti over the cheese combination and distribute it evenly.
Add the remaining butter and pour the meat sauce over it. Unfold the sauce making certain that the spaghetti is totally lined.
Sprinkle and distribute the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on high.

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
Bake for 25 to 35 minutes.
Take away from the oven and let it quiet down for 10 minutes.
Serve with garlic bread. Share and revel in!

Notes

Select full-fat dairy for higher construction. I at all times go for full-fat cream cheese, bitter cream, and ricotta when mixing the cheese layer. Low-fat variations have a tendency to interrupt aside throughout baking and launch an excessive amount of liquid. That extra moisture could make the underside layer soggy. Full-fat substances maintain collectively higher and produce a sturdier, sliceable center.
Use freshly shredded cheese, not bagged. Pre-shredded cheese from the shop normally comprises anti-caking brokers that stop clean melting. I desire grating blocks of cheddar and mozzarella myself to get a greater soften and stretch. It additionally offers the highest layer a extra interesting end after baking. You’ll see the distinction as soon as the casserole cools down.
Bake uncovered to kind a high layer. In the event you cowl the dish whereas baking, the cheese on high gained’t brown correctly. I go away mine uncovered for the complete time, and it helps the cheddar crisp up just a bit. That skinny crust makes every chunk extra satisfying. Simply hold your oven temperature regular and keep away from opening the door too typically.
Layer evenly for higher slicing. When assembling, I at all times take time to unfold every layer proper to the sting of the tray. Gaps or uneven cheese patches could cause the spaghetti to break down in sure spots. I take advantage of the again of a spoon or offset spatula to get it flat.
Use a metallic tray for crisp edges. A metallic baking tray conducts warmth higher than glass or ceramic. It helps agency up the bottom layer, particularly across the corners. If you’d like that barely crisp edge on the underside, skip the glass and go metallic. I hold a devoted tray only for baked pasta dishes like this.

Vitamin Info

Energy: 10775kcal (539%) Carbohydrates: 812g (271%) Protein: 455g (910%) Fats: 635g (977%) Saturated Fats: 319g (1595%) Polyunsaturated Fats: 41g Monounsaturated Fats: 206g Trans Fats: 9g Ldl cholesterol: 1864mg (621%) Sodium: 14191mg (591%) Potassium: 10019mg (286%) Fiber: 52g (208%) Sugar: 94g (104%) Vitamin A: 18488IU (370%) Vitamin C: 118mg (143%) Calcium: 4738mg (474%) Iron: 44mg (244%)