If weeknights had a hero, it would be Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti. This crowd-pleasing casserole is comfort food at its finest—layers of creamy cheeses, tangy marinara, and savory Italian sausage all meld together into spaghetti bliss that practically cooks itself. The best part? Your Crock Pot does the heavy lifting, leaving you with an irresistibly decadent pasta bake that feels fancy without any fuss.

Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe brings something special to the table, whether it’s flavor, creaminess, or that signature golden top. Here’s how these simple staples add up to Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti magic!

Italian sausage meat: Adds bold, meaty flavor with plenty of seasoning—make sure to remove the casings before cooking!
Marinara sauce: The saucy backbone—go for your favorite high-quality jar or homemade for ultimate flavor.
Water: Hydrates the pasta as it cooks; essential for perfect texture right in the slow cooker.
Spaghetti: Classic, tender noodles soak up every bit of sauce and cheesy goodness.
Cream cheese: The key to that luscious, creamy center—soften it first so it’s easy to mix.
Sour cream: Lightens and tangifies the cream cheese mixture for extra richness without being heavy.
Italian seasoning: Adds savory, herby layers, bringing classic Italian flair to each bite.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into a bubbly, golden top that’s the signature of Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti.
Chopped parsley: For a bright, fresh finish that beautifully contrasts the bubbling cheese.

How to Make Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti

Step 1: Brown the Italian Sausage

Start by heating a skillet over medium-high and add the Italian sausage meat. Break it up with your spoon or spatula while it cooks, ensuring every little bit gets browned and flavor-packed. This crucial step brings out the sausage’s deep, hearty flavors—the perfect foundation for your spaghetti bake.

Step 2: Layer the Sauce and Water

Pour half of your marinara sauce and a half-cup of water straight into the bottom of your Crock Pot. This creates a saucy base that keeps the pasta from sticking and infuses every layer with flavor as the Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti bakes low and slow.

Step 3: Break and Layer the Spaghetti

Grab half of your uncooked spaghetti and snap the noodles in half. Scatter them evenly over the saucy base, forming the first official layer of pasta goodness. Breaking the noodles helps them fit in the slow cooker and cook evenly.

Step 4: Add the Cooked Sausage

Once your sausage is beautifully browned, spoon it generously over the spaghetti layer in the Crock Pot. This layer will soak up those meaty flavors as everything melds together.

Step 5: Mix the Creamy Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine your softened cream cheese, sour cream, and Italian seasoning. Stir until smooth and blended, making sure no lumps remain. This mixture is the secret to the recipe’s “million dollar” richness—it melts into the pasta, creating irresistible creamy pockets.

Step 6: Add Cream Cheese Mixture

Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the sausage, then gently spread it out into an even layer with a spoon. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly smooth—it will melt beautifully as it cooks.

Step 7: Second Layer of Spaghetti

Break the remaining half of the spaghetti in half, then arrange it as evenly as possible over your creamy layer. This makes sure every bite delivers that perfect pasta texture, not just the top!

Step 8: Pour Remaining Sauce and Water

Pour the rest of the marinara sauce and the last cup of water over the top. This ensures the noodles on top get cooked and stay saucy, not dry.

Step 9: Slow Cook the Layers

Cover the Crock Pot and set it to LOW. Let your spaghetti work its magic for about two and a half hours. The aroma alone will make you want to sneak a taste early, but patience pays off!

Step 10: Add Shredded Mozzarella

Just before the finish line, remove the lid and blanket your Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti with heaps of shredded mozzarella. Pop the lid back on and cook for another 30 minutes, until the cheese is melty and bubbly.

Step 11: Garnish and Serve

Finish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a bright, herby touch. Now all that’s left is to dig in and watch the smiles all around your table.

How to Serve Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti

Garnishes

A classic pop of green from freshly chopped parsley adds a vibrant finish and a hint of freshness that balances the dish’s creaminess. A dusting of extra parmesan or a few red pepper flakes never hurt for a little zip!

Side Dishes

This hearty main just begs for a crispy Caesar salad or some garlic bread on the side. For a lighter touch, try some simply steamed broccoli or roasted green beans—the crisp texture pairs beautifully with the gooey pasta.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti for a gathering, portion it into ramekins for a fun single-serve presentation. Alternatively, a big scoop onto a large serving platter, swirled with extra sauce, makes for a show-stopping centerpiece!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let leftovers cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti keeps beautifully for up to four days—flavors even deepen overnight!

Freezing

Want to stash some for later? Scoop cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or bags, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture.

Reheating

Reheat individual servings in the microwave, or bake larger portions covered with foil in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly. If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of water or extra marinara before reheating to bring it back to life.

FAQs

Can I use ground beef instead of Italian sausage?

Absolutely! While Italian sausage brings that classic flavor, ground beef works great too. Just be sure to season it well with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Italian seasoning for depth.

Do I have to precook the spaghetti noodles?

Nope! That’s the beauty of Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti—the uncooked noodles cook perfectly in the sauce and cheese layers, soaking up all the goodness without any extra pots.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Definitely. Substitute the sausage with plant-based crumbles, mushrooms, or sautéed veggies like zucchini and bell pepper. Be sure to use a flavorful marinara and amp up the Italian seasoning for extra punch.

What if I don’t have a Crock Pot?

You can assemble the layers in a casserole dish and bake covered at 350°F for about 45–55 minutes. Check that the noodles are tender before serving—just as comforting, no slow cooker required!

Can I assemble this in advance?

Yes! Prep and layer everything in your Crock Pot insert, cover, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook, set it into your slow cooker base and proceed as directed. Perfect for meal prep or early morning assembly.

Final Thoughts

You’ll love how easy, cozy, and crave-worthy Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti is, whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want epic leftovers for the week. Give it a try and watch it become a new favorite at your table—there’s a good reason it’s called “million dollar”!

Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 29 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in this rich and flavorful Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti, a decadent twist on a classic favorite that’s perfect for cozy family dinners or gatherings. Layers of Italian sausage, creamy cheeses, and savory marinara sauce meld together in the slow cooker to create a truly comforting dish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Spaghetti:

1 lb Italian sausage meat, casings removed
48 oz marinara sauce
1 1/2 cups water
1 lb spaghetti

For the Cheese Mixture:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning

For Assembly:

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

Cook the Italian Sausage: In a skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the Italian sausage.
Prepare the Crock Pot: Pour half of the marinara sauce and water into the slow cooker.
Layer the Ingredients: Break half of the spaghetti noodles and place them in the pot, followed by the cooked sausage.
Make the Cheese Mixture: Combine cream cheese, sour cream, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Spread this mixture over the sausage.
Continue Layering: Add the remaining spaghetti, marinara sauce, and water to the pot.
Cook in the Crock Pot: Cover and cook on LOW for 2.5 hours.
Add Cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella on top and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.
Finish and Serve: Garnish with parsley before serving.

Notes

You can customize the recipe by adding additional vegetables or herbs to the layers.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days and reheated.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 480
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 920mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 23g
Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: Crock Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti, Slow Cooker Spaghetti, Italian Sausage Pasta