Description

Million Dollar Pasta is a rich and comforting baked pasta dish made with tender noodles, savory meat sauce, and a creamy blend of cheeses, creating a velvety, indulgent meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

12 ounces pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)

1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage

1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

½ cup sour cream

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 small onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook pasta in salted water one minute less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or sausage until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently.
Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cream cheese and sour cream until smooth, then fold in half the mozzarella and all of the Parmesan.
Add cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
Top with remaining mozzarella and bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Let rest 5 minutes before garnishing with parsley or basil and serving.

Notes

Penne and rigatoni hold sauce best, but any pasta shape works.

Assemble ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when ready, adding extra bake time if cold.

For a vegetarian version, replace meat with mushrooms, peppers, or spinach.

Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and checking sauce labels.

Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months; thaw before reheating in the oven.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American-Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 460
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 840mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 85mg