Description
Million Dollar Lasagna is a rich and creamy layered pasta dish combining savory ground beef and Italian sausage with a luscious cheese mixture, baked to perfection with melted mozzarella on top. This comforting Italian-American classic is perfect for family dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Creamy Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Additional
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained (or no-boil noodles)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the meat in the skillet. Cook until the onion is softened and fragrant.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet mixture.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Make the Creamy Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese), softened cream cheese, sour cream, egg, grated Parmesan, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Mix Until Smooth: Stir all the cheese ingredients together until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Assemble Lasagna – First Layer: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce evenly at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer Noodles: Place 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce layer.
- Add Cheese and Meat Sauce Layers: Spread one-third of the creamy cheese mixture over the noodles, then top with a layer of meat sauce.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat layering two more times with noodles, cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
- Finish Assembly: Top with the final layer of noodles, remaining meat sauce, and the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 to 15 minutes to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For easier preparation, no-boil lasagna noodles can be used instead of pre-cooked noodles.
- Let the lasagna rest before serving to ensure it slices cleanly and the layers hold together well.
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version of the meat sauce.
- The creamy cheese mixture can be made a day ahead and refrigerated to save time on the day of baking.
- If you prefer a spicier lasagna, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce during simmering.
