This million dollar spaghetti recipe combines two classic pasta flavors into one dish. Alfredo sauce and spaghetti are topped with a rich, meat sauce and a boatload of shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Then, it's baked to ooey-gooey perfection.
If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know how much I love making gluten free pasta recipes for dinner. They're so easy and hearty, and it's incredibly simple to change just a couple of ingredients to make them suitable for people like me who can't have gluten in their diet.
I'm a particularly big fan of creamy pastas like Marry Me chicken pasta, loaded with Italian flavors, and chicken bacon ranch pasta, loaded with rich, creamy, zesty flavors.
My love of all things pasta and experimenting with new dinner ideas is what prompted me to try this viral TikTok spaghetti recipe. I love that it combines classic meat sauce with creamy alfredo sauce. It reminds me a little of my pre-Celiac years, when my favorite thing to do was dip Olive Garden's breadsticks into their marinara and alfredo sauce at the same time.
This million dollar spaghetti recipe has already become one of my new favorite gluten-free main dishes. It's super easy to make, which is a big bonus, as well. Some people make homemade Alfredo sauce for this recipe, but I decided to save time and bring you a version using jarred sauce that's perfect for busy weeknights!
I cooked everything in my Circulon C1 non-stick pan from start to finish. Because it's oven safe up to 500°F, I'm able to cook dishes like this that go from the stovetop to the oven with ease. I also love that I can use metal utensils without scratching the non-stick coating on the pan.
For another delicious pasta dish that combines the flavors of red and Alfredo sauces into one delicious meal, check out this dairy free Marry Me chicken.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe only requires a few basic ingredients found in most kitchens and in every grocery store.
- Easy: This is a simple recipe that requires only basic kitchen knowledge and takes about 45 minutes from start to finish.
- Classic Flavors: This delicious spaghetti casserole combines the classic flavors of meat sauce and Alfredo sauce to create a rich, meaty, and creamy meal full of delicious Italian flavor in every bite.
- Customizable: It's incredibly easy to change up the ingredients in this dish to make it your own.
- Versatile: The classic flavors and textures in this dish make it perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks and special occasions.
- Great for Meal Prep: Make a double batch, freezing the second, assembled but uncooked casserole for future use.
Ingredients
You'll find a complete list of ingredients and their exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Variations
- Ground Beef: Mix ground beef and Italian sausage for even more flavor, or use Italian sausage exclusively.
- Lower Fat: Use ground chicken to make a lower-fat ground chicken spaghetti version.
- Seafood: Shellfish like shrimp and mussels pair well with both red sauce and alfredo sauce, making them a great choice for this recipe.
- Bell Peppers: You can use red or green peppers for this recipe.
- Minced Onion: You can use ½ of a finely minced onion in place of dried minced onion.
- Mushrooms: Mushrooms are a great addition to this recipe, as they're often found in both red and Alfredo sauces.
- Homemade: If you're feeling fancy and you have the time, you could certainly make both the meaty marinara sauce and Alfredo sauce from scratch.
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
- Pasta: I used spaghetti noodles, but you could also use your favorite short noodle variety, like macaroni or penne, for this recipe.
How to Make This Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
Step 1: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sweat the bell pepper in oil for about a minute. Then, add the beef and seasonings and cook until no longer pink and the veggies have softened.
Step 2: Next, drain any excess grease. Then, add the spaghetti sauce. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until heated through, giving the flavors time to meld. Set aside.
Step 3: Stir your Alfredo sauce and cooked spaghetti in the pan. Then, top it with the meat sauce. Sprinkle it with the shredded mozzarella cheese and Parmesan.
Step 4: Bake at 375°F until the cheese mixture is melted and golden brown. Then, top with fresh or dried parsley and enjoy!
Tips
- If you don't have an oven-safe pan, you can bake this spaghetti in a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.
- To avoid noodles that are too soft, rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking process after draining them.
- It's important to drain your beef thoroughly after cooking it to avoid a greasy sauce. Even lean ground beef will render some fat as it cooks.
- Be gentle when mixing your spaghetti and Alfredo sauce. You want to keep those noodles intact!
- NEVER use a pan in the oven that isn't specifically rated for oven use to make this baked spaghetti. At best, you'll warp the pan. At worst, a plastic handle will melt in the oven, or a wooden handle will catch fire.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe FAQ
Million dollar spaghetti is spaghetti casserole made with spaghetti noodles, meat sauce, and Alfredo sauce. Then, it's topped with cheese and baked until golden.
Yes, you can. You can freeze an assembled, unbaked dish of this recipe for up to a month, tightly covered in a double layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil.
An 80/20 ground chuck or 85/15 ground round offers the best mix of lean protein and fat for a flavorful sauce.
📖 Recipe
Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb gluten-free spaghetti
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon minced onion
- 1 bell pepper finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 24 oz red pasta sauce
Alfredo Layer
- 15 oz Alfredo sauce
Topping
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese shredded
- 2 teaspoon parsley
Instructions
Meat Sauce
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and boil the pasta according to the directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sweat the peppers for 1 minute in olive oil.
- Add the ground beef and dry seasonings to the pan. Then, cook for 7 to 10 minutes until the beef is no longer pink, stirring and breaking up the beef as it cooks. Drain the beef mixture and return it to the pan.
- Add the jar of spaghetti sauce to the pan, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 12 minutes.
Alfredo Layer
- Add the Alfredo sauce and cooked spaghetti noodles to the pan and stir until evenly coated.
- Top the Alfredo noodles with the meat sauce. Then, sprinkle it with the shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the top is melted and golden. Then, top with parsley and enjoy!
Notes
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Microwave individual portions at 1-minute intervals until warm.
- Assemble the spaghetti in a 9x13 baking dish, wrap it in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil, and freeze it for up to a month. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and bake.
- If you don't have an oven-safe pan, you can bake this spaghetti in a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.
- To avoid noodles that are too soft, rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking process after draining them.
- It's important to drain your beef thoroughly after cooking it to avoid a greasy sauce. Even lean ground beef will render some fat as it cooks.
- Be gentle when mixing your spaghetti and Alfredo sauce. You want to keep those noodles intact!
- NEVER use a pan in the oven that isn't specifically rated for oven use to make this baked spaghetti. At best, you'll warp the pan. At worst, a plastic handle will melt in the oven, or a wooden handle will catch fire.
Erin says
Easy to make, had lots of leftovers that tasted good reheated. I'm adding this to my make again list! Yum!!
Nicole Kendrick says
Perfect for a weekday lunch or a quick snack while at home! All the best! - NK
Chris says
Does this recipe call for two (2) pounds of spaghetti or one (1)?
It is listed under the meat sauce and Alfredo sauce.
Thank you.
Nicole Kendrick says
Hello, just one pound. I am so sorry. Removing that second one now!
Krystle says
The alfredo takes this over the top. My family also begs me to make this.
Jean says
Made this with mushrooms like you suggested instead of the meat. And it did taste like a million bucks.
Jaleah says
This spaghetti is amazing! Such a tasty and delicious recipe. Perfect for a family dinner.
Swathi says
These million dollar spaghetti is so good, I enjoyed making for our dinner. so perfect meal.
Sonja says
Look, when it comes to my preferences, I'm easy: Cheesy spaghetti and i'm happy all day. But with a guy insisting on meaty additions, I decided to be nice and make these instead. They were fabulous! Even I had to admit they had just so much more flavor!
Ashley says
This was great. The perfect weeknight meal!
Ieva says
First time I heard of a million dollar spaghetti, but I can certainly see why it's called that after having it for dinner last night. Ultimate comfort food. We added some red pepper flakes too for a little kick.
Tisha says
It really does take like a million bucks!!!! Delicious recipe!