Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe | Classic Italian Comfort Food Idea
"Million dollar lasagna is rich, cheesy, and indulgent. A layered pasta dish with savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted cheese that’s perfect for family gatherings, holidays, or cozy nights at home."
Equipment
- Large skillet (for meat sauce)
- Mixing bowls (for cheese filling)
- 9x13 baking dish (for layering)
- Aluminum foil (for covering during baking)
- Sharp knife for slicing
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
Cheese Filling
- 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 egg
- ½ cup grated parmesan
Other Layers
- 12 lasagna noodles (boil or no-boil)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella
Instructions
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Sauté onion and garlic in skillet. Add beef and sausage, cook until browned. Stir in tomatoes, paste, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 20 minutes.
- Mix Cheese Filling: In bowl, combine ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, egg, and parmesan until smooth.
- Cook Noodles: Boil until al dente, or use no-boil noodles.
- Layer Lasagna: In baking dish, spread meat sauce, then noodles, then cheese filling. Repeat layers, finishing with noodles, meat sauce, and mozzarella.
- Bake: Cover with foil, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes. Remove foil, bake 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Rest & Serve: Let lasagna rest 10–15 minutes before slicing for neat layers.
Notes
- Variations: Try mushrooms and spinach for vegetarian, jalapeños for spice, Alfredo for white lasagna, or zucchini noodles for gluten-free.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days; freeze whole or sliced portions for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm in oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, covered with foil.
- Pairings: Serve with garlic bread, salad, or roasted vegetables, plus red wine or iced tea.
- Common Mistakes: Drain meat to avoid watery lasagna, add egg to cheese filling for structure, and cover with foil to prevent burning.