Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich, creamy, and comforting pasta dish combining simple pantry ingredients into a velvety sauce with ground beef, cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this easy-to-make recipe delivers maximum cheesy satisfaction with a savory, indulgent flavor that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti pasta
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauces and Seasonings
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Brown the Ground Beef and Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Add the ground beef, season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, and cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and mix in the cream cheese and sour cream with the browned beef. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gradually add the tomato sauce, stirring to combine, then taste and adjust seasoning for a balanced tangy and rich flavor.
- Combine Spaghetti with Sauce and Cheese: Fold the cooked spaghetti into the creamy sauce, making sure every strand is coated evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet and allow the cheese to melt gently over low heat until bubbly and gooey.
- Serve Hot and Enjoy: Once the cheese has melted completely, remove from heat. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil, if desired, and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Do not overcook the pasta; aim for al dente to avoid mushy noodles.
- Use full-fat cream cheese and sour cream for the richest, creamiest texture.
- Sauté onions and garlic slowly to enhance their natural sweetness and aroma.
- Adjust tomato sauce quantity to make the sauce creamier or saucier according to preference.
- Allow cheddar cheese to melt gently over low heat to prevent burning or drying out.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Million Dollar Spaghetti, creamy spaghetti, cheesy pasta, comfort food, ground beef pasta, easy pasta recipe