Million Dollar Pasta Bake
This Million Dollar Pasta is an easy weeknight dinner that everyone in the family will love! It’s made similar to a lasagna and is full of Italian sausage, melty cheese, and noodles coated with both Alfredo and marinara sauce for amazing creamy flavor!
For more Easy Weeknight Dinners, be sure to check out my Walking Taco Casserole, Crockpot Loaded Potato Soup, and Sheet Pan Sausage, Peppers, and Potatoes.
Family friendly meals are the name of the game around here, and this Million Dollar Pasta is a new favorite.
Pasta is one food that all three of my kids love, so I tend to make it on the regular. Homemade Spaghetti Sauce or One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta are two of their favorites that I make all the time, and this Million Dollar Pasta is the newest to join our rotation.
I love it because it’s prepped similarly to a lasagna with the layers. But in this recipe, each ingredient is its own layer, so it takes less time. Something that also sets this casserole apart is that it uses both Alfredo and Marinara sauce. The combination works really nicely together and creates a super creamy and rich sauce to coat the pasta.
If you have a busy schedule, this is also the perfect recipe to prep in advance. You can make it ahead of time and store in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it, or bake and reheat individual servings as needed (what we do a lot). It also freezes beautifully!
Ingredients for Million Dollar Pasta Recipe
- Dry Pasta – I like to use rotini or penne, but you could also use spaghetti noodles. You will not need a full box, which is usually one pound. You will only need 12 ounces, so make sure to weigh/measure it out.
- Pasta sauce – you will need one small jar of Alfredo sauce and 2 cups of marinara sauce. I love Rao’s brand for both, but you could also use homemade or your favorite jarred sauce.
- Spices – garlic powder and Italian seasoning are used for seasoning your baked pasta casserole.
- Cheese – you will need ricotta cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese. I like to use freshly shredded mozzarella. I recommend shredding it yourself from a block instead of using pre-shredded. It will melt more smoothly and create a nice creamy cheese layer.
- Italian sausage – I prefer mild or sweet Italian sausage for this recipe. You could also use ground turkey sausage or even ground beef. I like Italian seasoned sausage for the best flavor though.
A full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions are located in the recipe card below.
How to Make Million Dollar Pasta Bake – Step by Step
Prepare pasta in a large pot of boiling water according to package directions, cooking until al dente. Drain pasta and mix with alfredo sauce. Spread evenly in a 9×13 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
Spread the ricotta cheese over the top of the pasta then sprinkle with the seasonings.
Cook the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crumbled and browned, about 5 minutes. Spread the cooked Italian sausage evenly over the ricotta layer.
Spread the marinara sauce on top.
Finally, sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and cheese is dotted with brown.
Tips and Notes
- Serving suggestions: This is a nice hearty dinner so I like to serve it with some fresh veggies like my Garlic Parmesan Asparagus or a green salad. We also love it with crusty bread or Air Fryer Garlic Bread on the side.
- For a high protein option, I like to use protein pasta (I love Brami, Banza, or Barilla Protein Plus pasta) and replace the ricotta with cottage cheese. I do this a lot and my picky family members can’t ever tell the difference.
- Making ahead of time: You can prep your million dollar pasta bake ahead of time for the same day or the next day and store it in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap. It’s a great make-ahead dish for busy weeknights and is also the perfect meal to send to a family member or friend in need.
- Freezer Instructions: Cover the casserole dish with a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. It is best to thaw the frozen pasta bake in the refrigerator overnight before baking, and it is even better if you can let it come to room temperature before placing it in the oven.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
More Delicious Pasta Recipes You Should Try!
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
Recipe: Million Dollar Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente
- 15 ounce jar Alfredo sauce, I like Rao's
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage, browned and crumbled
- 2 cups marinara sauce, I like Rao's
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare pasta according to package directions, cooking until al dente. Drain pasta and mix with Alfredo sauce. Spread evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Spread the ricotta cheese over the top of the casserole then sprinkle with the seasonings.
- Layer the cooked italian sausage over the ricotta followed by the marinara sauce and topping with the mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and cheese is dotted with brown.
Notes
- Serving suggestions: This is a nice hearty dinner so I like to serve it with some fresh veggies like my Garlic Parmesan Asparagus or a green salad. We also love it with crusty bread or Air Fryer Garlic Bread on the side.
- For a high protein option, I like to use protein pasta (I love Brami, Banza, or Barilla Protein Plus pasta) and replace the ricotta with cottage cheese. I do this a lot and my picky family members can’t ever tell the difference.
- Making ahead of time: You can prep your million dollar pasta bake ahead of time for the same day or the next day and store it in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap. It’s a great make-ahead dish for busy weeknights and is also the perfect meal to send to a family member or friend in need.
- Freezer Instructions: Cover the casserole dish with a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. It is best to thaw the frozen pasta bake in the refrigerator overnight before baking, and it is even better if you can let it come to room temperature before placing it in the oven.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
