You know that moment when you’re mid-bite, eyes wide, and you just have to say, “Oh wow”? That’s exactly what happens with this Million Dollar Pasta. It’s creamy, cheesy, baked-to-perfection comfort food that somehow tastes even better than it sounds. And the best part? You don’t need a million bucks, or even much time, to make it.
This easy baked pasta dish layers tender noodles, seasoned meat sauce, and a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and mozzarella that melts like a dream. It’s basically the pasta version of lasagna’s laid-back cousin. No fussy steps, just bold flavor and cozy vibes in every forkful. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something that feels like a warm hug, this dish checks all the boxes. Weeknight dinner, potluck hit, or make-ahead meal, it’s a total winner.
The first time I made this, I was short on time and patience, classic Wednesday energy. But I tossed it in the oven, crossed my fingers, and WOW. My family scraped the dish clean, and asked for it again the next night. That’s when I knew it earned the name!
Here’s why it’s a keeper:
- Seriously easy to make – No boiling noodles first! Just layer and bake.
- Rich, creamy flavor – That cream cheese and sour cream combo is next-level.
- Make-ahead friendly – Great for prepping in the morning and baking later.
- Feeds a crowd – This one goes the distance, perfect for parties or leftovers.
- Family-approved – Picky eaters? No problem. This dish disappears fast.
Ingredients Breakdown
Here’s a look at what makes this pasta so irresistible:
Variations & Substitutions
Want to switch it up? No problem. Try one of these easy twists:
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Brown the beef
Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until no pink remains. Break it up as it cooks, and drain the fat if needed.
Step 2: Stir in the sauce
Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and marinara to the beef. Let it simmer so the flavors come together and the sauce thickens a bit.
Step 3: Mix the creamy layer
In a separate bowl, stir together the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. This becomes the gooey middle layer that makes the whole dish feel extra luxe.
Step 4: Layer it up
In a greased baking dish, layer half the pasta (uncooked), then half the meat sauce, then all the cream cheese mixture. Repeat with the remaining pasta and sauce.
Step 5: Top with cheese and bake
Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for about 45 minutes, then uncover and bake for 10 more to get it golden and bubbly.
A Few Helpful Tips
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
This is a whole meal, but here’s how to level it up:
Topping ideas: A sprinkle of red pepper flakes or fresh basil right before serving gives it a flavor kick.
Storage, Reheating, and Freezing Tips
It’s just as good (if not better) the next day.
FAQ
Enjoying This Million Dollar Pasta
This meal has become my go-to when I want something that feels fancy but doesn’t require a night full of steps. It’s perfect for cool nights, potlucks, or whenever you want a cozy, comforting meal that earns rave reviews. I mean, the name says it all, it’s pasta that tastes like a crazy amount of money without the actual price tag or effort.
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Tried this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a rating and a comment below! We’d love to hear how it turned out for you. If you made any tweaks or added your own spin, let us know how it went, we’re all about seeing how y’all make it your own!
Crock Pot Million Dollar Pasta: The Ultimate Dinner
- Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 6
Description
If you’re craving a cozy, creamy, super comforting pasta dish that basically cooks itself, this is the one. This meal is like your favorite baked ziti, but way easier. Everything goes into the slow cooker (yes, even the dry pasta!) and a few hours later, you’ve got a cheesy, bubbly, flavor-packed dinner that totally lives up to its name.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
½ cup sour cream
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried parsley
2 (24 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce, divided use
24 ounce jar water
16 ounce box cavatappi pasta
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Season it with a little salt and pepper while it cooks. Once it’s fully cooked and crumbled, drain off any excess grease and set it aside.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, minced garlic, and parsley until smooth and well combined. Set that creamy mixture aside, it’s about to take this pasta to the next level.
- Now, grab your slow cooker (you’ll want a 6-quart or larger oval one for this recipe). Pour in half a jar of spaghetti sauce and spread it out evenly on the bottom.
- Layer half the dry cavatappi pasta right over the sauce (no need to stir, just spread it out). Then pour the rest of the first jar of sauce over the pasta and add half a jar of water on top.
- Spoon half of your cooked ground beef over the sauce layer.
- Next, dollop the entire cream cheese mixture over the beef. Try to spread it out as evenly as you can, but don’t stir it in, just let it sit right on top.
- Layer the remaining uncooked pasta over the creamy layer. Pour the second full jar of spaghetti sauce on top of that, followed by another half jar of water. Then finish with the rest of the ground beef spread evenly over the top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for about 2 to 3 hours. Every slow cooker runs a little differently, so check at the 2-hour mark to see how the pasta is doing. Mine took about 3 hours total.
- Once the pasta is tender, give everything a gentle stir to combine the layers.
- Top with 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, cover again, and let it sit for a few more minutes until the cheese gets perfectly melted and gooey.
Sprinkle a little dried parsley on top if you want to add a pop of color—and then, dig in!
Notes
- Feel free to use as much or as little cheese as your heart desires, if two cups feels like a bit much, just scale it back to what works for you.
- Not a fan of ground beef? Swap it out for ground Italian sausage for a little extra flavor.
- When it comes to pasta, any corkscrew-style noodle will do! Cavatappi is great, but rotini or fusilli work just as well, use whatever you have on hand.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Crockpot
- Cuisine: American
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you might also LIKE TO check out
- USDA – Food Safety and Inspection
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Nutrition Source
- America’s Test Kitchen – Science of Cooking Section
