📋 Healthy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole being held up on a spoon over glass casserole dish

5 from 5 votes

📋 Healthy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

This healthier version of Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole has all the creaminess of a million dollar casserole, minus the calories! It's easy to make, a great way to enjoy spaghetti in a different form and you can also use up leftover spaghetti noodles!

Course dinner, main

Cuisine American, North American

Keyword casserole, leftover spaghetti noodles, million dollar, spaghetti

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 20

Total Time 50

Servings servings

Calories 301kcal

Author Terri Gilson

Equipment

Ingredients

4 cups pasta sauce * you can use any type- *Classico is less WW points
450 g spaghetti noodles *I used half of a 900 package
1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 onion, finely chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ cup parmesan cheese (fat-free)
½ cup cream cheese (fat-free)
10 oz - can of mushrooms
3 cups low-fat sharp cheddar cheese, grated
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
3 green onions, chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/175 degrees C and spray a 11X13 lasagna pan with non-stick cooking spray. Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions, until al dente (if not using leftover noodles). Drain and set aside.
450 g spaghetti noodles
Cook ground beef, onions and green pepper (and mushrooms IF using fresh) on stovetop, in frying pan until ground beef is browned. Drain and return to pot.
1 lb extra lean ground beef, 1 onion, finely chopped, 1 green pepper, chopped
Add pasta sauce, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic and Italian seasoning to pot with cooked ground beef. Cook over medium-low on stovetop, whisking until everything is incorporated.
4 cups pasta sauce, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ cup parmesan cheese (fat-free), 3-4 cloves garlic, minced, ½ cup cream cheese (fat-free)
Add mushrooms and cilantro. Remove from heat.
10 oz - can of mushrooms
Mix spaghetti with sauce in lasagna pan (or in pot, then transfer to lasagna pan)
Sprinkle grated cheese on top, evenly distributed. *I like to finely grate the cheese for this recipe.
3 cups low-fat sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Bake for 20 minutes (uncovered), then turn up to broil (500 degrees F/260 degrees C for last 2 minutes or until it begins to bubble and brown a little (be sure to watch it very carefully as low-fat cheese burns quickly)

Garnish

Garnish with green onions and serve.
3 green onions, chopped

Notes

Storage:

This Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen in a sealed container for up to 3 months. If I'm going to freeze the entire recipe, I freeze it in this lasagna pan (affiliate link) then seal it with Glad Press n' Seal (affiliate link) before I put the cover on the pan to freeze.

TO REHEAT:

I love using this casserole reheating technique for any pasta casserole- it prevents the casserole from drying out.

Simply bring million-dollar spaghetti casserole out of the freezer the night before and let it defrost (preferably in the fridge). Ideally, you want to keep it at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour before you put it in the oven.
Then heat the oven to 350 degrees F/175 degrees C, remove the lid and plastic wrap, then tightly seal your casserole dish with aluminum foil (shiny side in) and put it in the oven for 20 - 30 minutes, until it's warmed through. *you can remove the foil and broil it for the final 2 minutes if you desire.
You can use an instant read thermometer (affiliate link) to make sure it's done (165 degrees F/75 degrees C)

Top Tip

If you're wondering which spaghetti noodles to use, although whole wheat is healthy, it takes a long time to cook. Personally, I find it a bit too dense. I prefer to use "smart pasta" because it cooks faster than whole wheat but you still get 4X as much fiber than if you ate white pasta. Although it's not quite as healthy as whole wheat, you are still getting that fiber. If you're not a fan of whole wheat, it's a good alternative. You can learn more about smart pasta HERE!

Nutrition