Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate layered comfort food, Million Dollar Lasagna is the answer your cravings have been waiting for! Imagine tender lasagna noodles layered with a rich, savory meat sauce and the dreamiest combination of ricotta, cream cheese, and mozzarella—all baked together for the kind of golden, bubbling finish that draws everyone to the table. This Million Dollar Lasagna is truly worthy of a celebration, whether you’re making it for Sunday dinner, a potluck, or cozy weeknight leftovers. Get ready to fall in love with every creamy, cheesy bite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for Million Dollar Lasagna is refreshingly straightforward. Each one plays a special role, from bringing depth and richness to delivering that trademark melt-in-your-mouth texture and mouthwatering color.
- Ground beef: Adds hearty, savory flavor and a protein-packed base for the sauce.
- Italian sausage: Brings a pop of spice and deeper flavor; removing the casings helps it blend smoothly with the beef.
- Yellow onion: Offers subtle sweetness and a classic aromatic background for your sauce.
- Garlic cloves: Essential for aromatic depth and classic Italian fragrance.
- Marinara or pasta sauce: The foundation for a rich, flavorful tomato layer; choose your favorite jarred or homemade variety.
- Tomato sauce: Adds a supple, velvety finish and rounds out the marinara’s taste.
- Italian seasoning: A simple mix that infuses the sauce with familiar herby notes.
- Salt and pepper: Enhance all the savory flavors—taste as you go!
- Lasagna noodles: Choose classic or no-boil; they give the structure for those beautiful layered slices.
- Ricotta cheese: Delivers creaminess and classic Italian touch to your cheese layer.
- Cream cheese: Makes the filling ultra-luxurious and rich.
- Sour cream: Brightens and lightens the creamy filling—don’t skip it!
- Egg: Gives the cheese filling its luscious, set texture when baked.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts wonderfully for that irresistible stretchy, gooey, cheesy finish.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a savory, nutty, golden touch on top.
- Chopped parsley (optional): A fresh pop of color and flavor to sprinkle on just before serving.
How to Make Million Dollar Lasagna
Step 1: Brown the Meats and Soften the Aromatics
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the ground beef, Italian sausage (make sure those casings are off!), and chopped yellow onion. Cook them together, breaking up the meat until everything is browned and the onions are soft—usually about 8 to 10 minutes. After draining off any excess fat, stir in your minced garlic, letting it bloom just long enough to become fragrant, about a minute.
Step 2: Build a Flavorful Sauce
Now the magic happens: pour in your marinara sauce and tomato sauce, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, and don’t forget generous pinches of salt and pepper. Let your sauce simmer gently for about 10 minutes. The flavors will meld into a deeply savory base that makes this Million Dollar Lasagna truly irresistible.
Step 3: Mix the Creamy Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, and a single egg. Stir them together until the mixture is smooth and seamless. This dreamy concoction is a huge part of what makes Million Dollar Lasagna so rich and decadent—it’s like a secret upgraded layer in every slice!
Step 4: Assemble the Layers
Preheat your oven to 375°F, then grab your 9×13-inch baking dish and spread a hearty cup of meat sauce at the bottom. Layer on three lasagna noodles, then spread a third of your creamy cheese mixture over those noodles and add a full cup of shredded mozzarella. Repeat this delicious cycle two more times: sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, mozzarella. For the grand finale, finish with the remaining meat sauce, a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan, and the last of the mozzarella.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Cover your masterpiece with foil and bake for 30 minutes to ensure everything warms through. Then, uncover and continue baking for another 15 minutes—watch as the top turns delightfully golden and bubbly. Give your Million Dollar Lasagna a 10-minute rest before slicing in so that the layers hold together beautifully. Garnish with parsley if you’d like a little extra pop of color.
How to Serve Million Dollar Lasagna
Garnishes
Million Dollar Lasagna is stunning as it is, but a little touch of freshly chopped parsley or basil really makes those layers sing. For a cheesy finish, sprinkle on extra Parmesan as soon as the lasagna comes out of the oven—because a little more cheese never hurt anyone!
Side Dishes
Pair this lasagna with a simple, crisp green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette, or pass around a basket of warm garlic bread for scooping up every last bit of sauce. Roasted vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, or broccoli are also perfect companions, balancing out the richness of your main course.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special gathering, cut your Million Dollar Lasagna into neat squares and stack them slightly for visual drama on the plate. Serve individual mini portions in ramekins for a personalized twist, or bring the whole bubbling dish to the table family-style and let everyone enjoy their own cheesy, saucy slice.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Million Dollar Lasagna keeps beautifully for up to four days, and the flavors might even deepen as they get cozy together overnight.
Freezing
This is a freezer-friendly superstar. Assemble the lasagna completely, then cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap before freezing. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking as directed. You’ll have a nearly effortless, homemade meal waiting in the wings.
Reheating
Leftover slices can be reheated in the oven (covered with foil to prevent drying out) at 350°F until hot, typically about 20 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, microwave individual portions, checking every 30 seconds so the cheese stays melty and the pasta doesn’t overcook.
FAQs
Can I make Million Dollar Lasagna with no-boil noodles?
Absolutely! No-boil noodles work wonderfully here—just make sure your sauce layers are generous and cover the noodles fully, as this helps them cook up perfectly in the oven.
Can I substitute cottage cheese for ricotta?
You can! Cottage cheese makes for a lighter textured filling. Just drain it well so your lasagna doesn’t become watery, and blend it first if you prefer a smoother texture.
Is it possible to make Million Dollar Lasagna vegetarian?
Definitely. Simply swap out the beef and sausage for a medley of sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini, or use a plant-based meat substitute for that signature hearty feel.
Can I assemble the lasagna ahead of time?
Yes, and it’s one of the best things about this dish! You can assemble Million Dollar Lasagna completely and refrigerate it overnight or up to 24 hours in advance—just bring it to room temperature before baking.
What’s the secret to neat, picture-perfect slices?
Let your lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the cheeses and sauce to firm up slightly, so each serving comes out just right with those gorgeous, visible layers.
Final Thoughts
Homemade comfort food doesn’t get more inviting than Million Dollar Lasagna. Every bite is packed with love, layers of creamy cheese, and hearty sauce. Whether you’re feeding family, friends, or just treating yourself, this is a recipe that turns any meal into a celebration. Gather your ingredients and give it a try—your kitchen is about to smell (and taste) amazing!
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Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the richness of this Million Dollar Lasagna, a creamy and cheesy Italian-American favorite that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 small yellow onion (chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture:
- 9 lasagna noodles (cooked and drained)
- 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 egg
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cook Meat Sauce: Brown ground beef, sausage, and onion in a skillet. Add garlic, marinara sauce, tomato sauce, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: Combine ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, and egg until smooth.
- Assemble Lasagna: Layer sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, and mozzarella in a baking dish. Repeat layers.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- This lasagna can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated overnight or frozen before baking.
- Use no-boil noodles for convenience if preferred.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
