Million Dollar Lasagna is an indulgent, layered dish that combines a savory meat sauce, rich cheese mixture, and perfectly tender noodles. This luxurious casserole is ideal for large gatherings, family dinners, or even special occasions where you want to impress your guests with something comforting yet extravagant.
Why You’ll Adore This Recipe
- Indulgent and Flavorful Layers: Each bite offers a harmonious blend of creamy cheese, savory meat sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles.
- Serves a Crowd: Perfect for feeding a group, making it a great option for family gatherings, holidays, or dinner parties.
- Make Ahead Convenience: You can prepare the lasagna in advance and simply reheat it, saving you time on busy days.
- Customizable: The recipe can be easily tailored to your preferences, with options for different cheeses, meats, and seasonings.
- Freezer-Friendly: Ideal for meal prepping or saving leftovers for later enjoyment.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Ground Italian sausage
- Onion
- Garlic
- Marinara sauce
- Lasagna noodles (uncooked or no-boil)
- Cream cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Sour cream
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
- Eggs
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Directions
- Preheat and Prepare the Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a nonstick spray or a thin layer of olive oil to prevent sticking. - Cook the Meat Sauce
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage along with the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook the mixture until the meat is fully browned and the onions become soft and translucent. Once browned, drain any excess fat and return the skillet to the heat.
Add the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning to the pan, stirring everything together. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. - Prepare the Cheese Mixture
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, sour cream, and eggs. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to blend these ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste. The mixture should be thick and velvety. - Assemble the Lasagna
Begin by spreading a thin layer of the prepared meat sauce on the bottom of your greased baking dish.
Then, layer uncooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. You can either use regular noodles that will cook during baking or no-boil noodles for ease.
Spread a generous amount of the cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by another layer of meat sauce. Repeat the layering process until all ingredients are used, making sure to end with a final layer of meat sauce on top. - Add the Cheese Toppings
Finish by generously sprinkling shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top layer of meat sauce. These cheeses will melt beautifully during baking, creating a bubbly, golden crust. - Bake the Lasagna
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
Allow the lasagna to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This helps set the layers and makes for cleaner, more even slices.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8-10
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Swap out the ground beef and sausage for a mix of sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly lasagna.
- Spicy Twist: Add crushed red pepper flakes or substitute hot Italian sausage for a kick of heat.
- Low-Carb Version: If you’re following a low-carb diet, consider using thin slices of zucchini or eggplant in place of traditional lasagna noodles.
- Cheese Blend: Add extra cheeses like provolone or fontina for a rich, luxurious flavor that will elevate the dish even further.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap individual portions or the entire lasagna tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the lasagna in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes or microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes, depending on your preference.
Million Dollar Lasagna
This Million Dollar Lasagna is a luxurious, layered casserole made with rich meat sauce, creamy cheese filling, and perfectly tender noodles. It’s an ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners and special occasions!
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 1/2 lb Ground Italian sausage
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 24 oz jar Marinara sauce
- 12 no-boil Lasagna noodles
- 8 oz Cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup Sour cream
- 2 Eggs
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, and garlic over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Add marinara sauce and Italian seasoning to the skillet, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese, ricotta cheese, sour cream, and eggs until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer uncooked lasagna noodles, followed by a layer of the cheese mixture, and then meat sauce. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of meat sauce on top.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese generously on top of the lasagna.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let the lasagna cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1peopleCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
FAQs
- Can I use store-bought marinara sauce?
Yes, store-bought marinara sauce is perfectly fine to use and will save you time. - Do I need to pre-cook the lasagna noodles?
If you’re using no-boil noodles, no pre-cooking is necessary. Otherwise, follow the package instructions for regular noodles. - Can I substitute ricotta cheese?
Yes, you can substitute ricotta with cottage cheese if desired, though it will slightly change the texture. - How do I prevent the lasagna from becoming watery?
Be sure to drain excess fat from the meat during cooking, and allow the lasagna to rest for a few minutes after baking to set the layers. - Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the lasagna ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. Then, simply bake it when you’re ready to serve. - What’s the best way to slice lasagna?
Let the lasagna cool for at least 10-15 minutes to ensure clean slices. A sharp knife works best. - Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Yes! Spinach, mushrooms, or roasted bell peppers are excellent additions. - What type of cheese works best for the topping?
A combination of mozzarella and Parmesan creates the ideal bubbly, golden top. - How do I freeze lasagna without it drying out?
Wrap it tightly in both plastic wrap and foil to keep moisture locked in during freezing. - Can I use gluten-free noodles?
Yes, gluten-free lasagna noodles work wonderfully in this recipe and cook similarly to traditional ones.
Conclusion
Million Dollar Lasagna is an exquisite dish that combines layers of creamy cheese, savory sauce, and tender noodles to create a meal that’s rich, comforting, and utterly satisfying. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner or bringing it to a special gathering, it’s sure to be a hit. Customize it to your taste with various ingredients, and enjoy this decadent comfort food with your loved ones!