Get ready to dive into the ultimate comfort food experience with Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo! This show-stopping casserole combines classic spaghetti, savory Italian sausage, a dreamy Alfredo sauce, and layers of gooey cheese for a dish that truly tastes like a million bucks. If you love both rich, creamy alfredo and baked Italian-style pasta, this recipe brings the best of both worlds together. It’s the kind of meal that’s pure magic for gatherings, family dinners, or anytime you want to make an ordinary night feel like a special occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo comes from a generous mix of simple, vibrant ingredients—each one bringing its own flavor, texture, or irresistible creaminess. Gather these up, and you’ll have everything you need to create a pasta bake that’s as memorable as it is easy to pull together.
- Spaghetti (12 ounces): The sturdy backbone of this dish—cook it just until al dente for the perfect bite.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons): For sautéing and adding a touch of Mediterranean richness.
- Ground Italian sausage (1 pound): Bold and flavorful—choose mild or spicy depending on your heat preference.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): A little bit of minced garlic deepens the aromatic base.
- Ricotta cheese (15-ounce container): Brings a creamy, mellow texture to the cheese layer.
- Sour cream (1 cup): Adds tang and softness, blending perfectly with cheeses.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup): For that stretchy, melty, golden finish on top and inside.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup for layers, 1 cup for sauce): Provides sharpness, salty notes, and a gorgeous crust.
- Fresh parsley (¼ cup, chopped): Brightens the whole casserole with color and freshness.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning each component just right.
- Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons): The base of that luscious homemade Alfredo sauce.
- Heavy cream (2 cups): Delivers richness and silky body to the Alfredo.
- Garlic powder (½ teaspoon): Layers a gentle garlicky depth in the sauce.
- Italian seasoning (½ teaspoon): A sprinkle of dried herbs that infuse the Alfredo with classic Italian flavor.
How to Make Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo
Step 1: Boil and Prep the Spaghetti
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F—you’ll want it nice and hot for bubbling, golden perfection later. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti until it’s just al dente. Drain well and set aside. You want the noodles to have a little bite left, since they’ll cook more in the oven.
Step 2: Brown the Sausage and Sauté Garlic
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and brown your ground Italian sausage until it’s fully cooked and beginning to crisp at the edges. Just when the sausage is nearly perfect, stir in the minced garlic and let it sauté for about a minute. The aroma is intoxicating! Remove the pan from heat and set the mixture aside.
Step 3: Mix the Cheese Filling
In a big mixing bowl, blend the ricotta, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, ½ cup of grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. This creamy cheese mixture is the heart of Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo—every bite is silky, tangy, and rich.
Step 4: Whip Up the Alfredo Sauce
Make your Alfredo in a saucepan by melting the unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the heavy cream, followed by garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Once it starts to simmer, sprinkle in the grated Parmesan (the sauce Parmesan, not the layering one!) and keep stirring until it thickens gently. Pour yourself a taste—velvetty, homemade Alfredo makes all the difference.
Step 5: Layer the Casserole
Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. Start by spreading a thin layer of Alfredo sauce on the bottom, so nothing sticks. Lay down half the cooked spaghetti, then slather it with your cheese mixture. Next comes the cooked sausage (and any pan juices for extra flavor). Top that with the remaining spaghetti, then flood the dish with all the rest of your creamy Alfredo sauce. For maximum dreamy cheesiness, sprinkle extra mozzarella or Parmesan on top if you like.
Step 6: Bake to Bubbling, Golden Goodness
Cover your casserole dish with foil and slide it into the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes to heat everything through and meld those incredible flavors. Remove the foil, and bake for 10 to 15 more minutes until the top is gloriously golden and bubbling. Let the Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo rest for 10 minutes when you take it out—this helps all those cheesy, creamy layers settle into sliceable perfection.
How to Serve Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley across the top just before serving livens up the look and adds a pop of clean, herbal brightness. Shaved Parmesan is another fantastic touch—its salty tang contrasts beautifully with the creamy layers. If you want a dash of color and a touch of heat, scatter on a little red pepper flake.
Side Dishes
Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo is hearty, so keep sides simple. A crisp Caesar salad or a pile of garlicky sautéed green beans pairs perfectly. Warm, crusty bread—think garlic toast or a rustic baguette—helps scoop up every bit of cheesy Alfredo sauce left on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party-worthy presentation, bake individual portions in ramekins or mini casserole dishes. You could even build the casserole in a round springform pan, then slice it into wedges for a fun twist. Kids (and adults) adore the look of a golden, cheesy, towering pasta bake straight from the oven—let your guests serve themselves and watch the excitement.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo keeps wonderfully in the fridge. Once cooled, cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap, or transfer slices to airtight containers. The flavors are just as luscious a day or two later, making this a fantastic make-ahead or meal-prep option.
Freezing
If you want to freeze the casserole, assemble it all the way through the layering stage but skip the baking. Tightly wrap the unbaked dish with foil (double is best), then freeze. It’ll last beautifully for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
Reheating
For best results, reheat slices in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil to lock in moisture. If you’re in a hurry, microwaving works too—just use a microwave-safe plate and cover lightly with a damp paper towel to keep things creamy. Warm until everything is hot and the cheese is bubbling.
FAQs
Can I substitute the sausage with ground beef or make it vegetarian?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap the Italian sausage for ground beef (or even a mix of the two) for a different flavor profile, or use your favorite plant-based sausage to make a delicious vegetarian version of Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo without sacrificing that classic taste.
What type Main Course
Traditional spaghetti gives you those iconic strands, but you can swap in angel hair, fettuccine, or even penne if that’s what you have—just be sure to cook until al dente so the pasta retains some bite after baking.
Can this be made ahead of time?
Definitely! Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo can be assembled a day ahead and kept covered in the fridge. When you’re ready, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time to heat it through thoroughly.
Is it possible to lighten up the recipe?
If you’d like a lighter version, try using part-skim ricotta and mozzarella, light sour cream, and half-and-half instead of full heavy cream in the Alfredo. The casserole will still be deliciously creamy, just a little less indulgent.
Why let the casserole rest before slicing?
Allowing the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking helps the layers firm up, which means cleaner, neater slices—and it prevents molten cheese and sauce from spilling everywhere when you serve!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dinner that wows, Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo is truly a crowd-pleaser—from its bubbly, golden cheese topping to the irresistible creamy layers underneath. I can’t wait for you to share this with your favorite people; it’s comfort food at its finest!
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Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo recipe. Layers of savory Italian sausage, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, and decadent Alfredo sauce, all baked to perfection for a truly luxurious dining experience.
Ingredients
For the Spaghetti:
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for Alfredo sauce)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the spaghetti until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook Italian sausage and garlic until browned.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta, sour cream, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- To make Alfredo sauce, melt butter, add cream, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan.
- In a baking dish, layer Alfredo sauce, spaghetti, cheese mixture, sausage, remaining spaghetti, and more sauce.
- Bake covered, then uncovered, until bubbly and golden. Let rest before serving.
Notes
- Enhance flavors by using a mix of Italian sausage and ground beef.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice or portion
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 43g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
