Description
This Million Dollar Lasagna is rich, creamy, and packed with layers of flavor. Featuring a hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta mixture, and gooey melted cheese, it’s the perfect dish for special occasions, family dinners, or whenever you’re craving something indulgent and satisfying.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Cheese Filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Assembly:
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked to al dente
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or olive oil.
- Make the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and onion until browned. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Stir in the garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Prepare the Cheese Filling:
- In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add a layer of cooked lasagna noodles, overlapping slightly.
- Spread 1/3 of the cheese filling over the noodles, followed by 1/3 of the remaining meat sauce.
- Repeat layers two more times, finishing with a layer of meat sauce on top.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer.
- Bake the Lasagna:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add 1/2 cup heavy cream to the cheese mixture.
- Use oven-ready lasagna noodles to save time—just skip the boiling step.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven for the best texture.