Heavenly Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe: Cheesy Comfort Magic

Money and comfort merge beautifully in this million dollar lasagna that promises pure culinary magic.

Layers of rich, creamy cheese melt between perfectly seasoned pasta sheets.

Generations of home cooks have whispered about its legendary status.

Regional Italian techniques blend seamlessly with classic American comfort food traditions.

Savory aromas will drift through your kitchen, promising something extraordinary.

Hearty and indulgent, each bite tells a delicious story of passion and skill.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for moments that demand serious deliciousness.

Million Dollar Lasagna Questions Answered

• Why is this called Million Dollar Lasagna?

The name suggests it’s incredibly delicious and rich, packed with multiple cheese types and a flavorful meat sauce that makes it taste like a million bucks.

• Can I use different meats in this recipe?

Absolutely! You can swap ground beef and Italian sausage with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a plant-based meat alternative to suit your preferences.

• Is this lasagna good for meal prep?

Yes! This lasagna freezes wonderfully. You can prepare it in advance, freeze before baking, and cook it directly from frozen, making it perfect for busy weeknights or preparing meals ahead of time.

• How do I know when the lasagna is fully cooked?

The lasagna is done when the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are golden brown. A knife inserted in the center should come out hot, and the internal temperature should reach 165F to ensure the meat is fully cooked.

Million Dollar Lasagna That Lives Up to Its Name

• Create a show-stopping lasagna that instantly brings smiles to everyone's faces, perfect for family dinners and weekend gatherings.
• Designed with simple steps and straightforward ingredients, this recipe welcomes home cooks of all skill levels to achieve restaurant-quality results without stress.
• Minimal prep time and straightforward layering technique mean you can have a delicious meal ready in under an hour, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
• Combines rich ground beef, Italian sausage, multiple cheese varieties, and robust seasonings to deliver an explosion of taste in every single bite.

Lasagna Ingredients You’ll Want for This Dish

• Ground Beef: Rich base for a hearty meat sauce, choose lean for less grease.
• Italian Sausage: Adds depth and spicy flavor to the sauce, select mild or hot based on preference.
• Onion: Provides aromatic base and sweetness to the meat sauce.
• Garlic: Adds robust flavor and enhances overall taste profile.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy filling component, select full-fat for best texture.
• Cream Cheese: Adds richness and smoothness to cheese mixture.
• Sour Cream: Contributes tangy flavor and helps create silky cheese layer.
• Egg: Binds cheese mixture and helps maintain structure.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully and creates classic lasagna stretch.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides sharp, salty dimension to cheese layers.

• Marinara Sauce: Primary sauce for layering, choose high-quality brand.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that enhances overall flavor profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional heat component for spice lovers.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for garnish and bright color.
• Lasagna Noodles: Structural base of the dish, can use traditional or no-boil varieties.

How to Layer and Bake Million Dollar Lasagna

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 375F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray or brush with olive oil.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Meat Sauce

• Ground beef
• Italian sausage
• Onion

• Garlic
• Marinara sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Pepper

Let the sauce simmer and get super delicious for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Mix Creamy Cheese Blend

• Ricotta cheese
• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Egg
• Mozzarella
• Parmesan
• Parsley
• Salt
• Pepper

Whip everything until it’s smooth and dreamy.

Step 4: Build Incredible Layers

• Cooked lasagna noodles (slightly overlapping)
• Cheese mixture (spread 1/3)
• Meat sauce (spread 1/3)

Repeat these layers two more times, ending with meat sauce on top.

Sprinkle generously with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 20 more minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 10 minutes. Toss some fresh parsley on top if you want extra pizzazz.

Tips for Rich, Cheesy Layers Every Time

• Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease completely to prevent a soggy lasagna and ensure a rich, concentrated meat sauce flavor.
• Cheese Blend for Creaminess: Mix ricotta with cream cheese and sour cream for an extra luxurious, silky texture that elevates the traditional lasagna.
• Layer Strategically: Create even, well-distributed layers by spreading sauce and cheese filling carefully to guarantee consistent taste in every bite.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow dairy ingredients to sit out for 30 minutes before mixing to create smoother, more easily blended fillings.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate, letting flavors meld overnight for an even more delicious meal that's perfect for entertaining.

Store and Reheat Lasagna Like a Pro

• Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and safety.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire lasagna tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving its delicious taste and texture.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Place a single serving on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals until thoroughly warmed through.

Meals and Wines That Pair Well with Lasagna

• Savor Perfect Pairings with Million Dollar Lasagna
• Robust red wines like Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Sangiovese complement the rich meat sauce and creamy cheese layers, cutting through the lasagna's hearty flavors with their bold tannic profiles.
• Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, shaved Parmesan, and toasted pine nuts to balance the lasagna's heavy textures and provide a refreshing counterpoint with bright, zesty notes.
• Craft warm, crusty garlic bread brushed with olive oil, fresh rosemary, and thyme to soak up excess sauce and add a crunchy texture that enhances the lasagna's complex flavor profile.
• Pour a crisp Pinot Grigio or sparkling Italian soda to cleanse the palate between bites, offering a cool, light drink that cuts through the lasagna's richness and provides a refreshing contrast.

Add-Ons to Level Up Your Lasagna

Vegetarian Lasagna: Replace ground beef and Italian sausage with plant-based protein like lentils, mushrooms, or crumbled tofu, maintaining the same seasoning and sauce preparation method.

Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional wheat lasagna noodles with gluten-free pasta sheets or use zucchini slices as a low-carb alternative for layering.

Mediterranean-Inspired Version: Incorporate spinach, roasted eggplant, and feta cheese into the cheese filling, using a lighter tomato sauce with added herbs like oregano and basil.

Low-Carb Keto Adaptation: Create layers using thinly sliced zucchini or eggplant instead of pasta, using full-fat cheeses and adding extra ground meat to boost protein content while reducing carbohydrates.

Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy, cheesy Million Dollar Lasagna brings pure comfort to dinner tables with layers of rich flavor. Hearty meat sauce and smooth ricotta blend perfectly, creating a classic Italian-inspired dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Ingredients:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
• 0.5 pound (½ lb) Italian sausage

Cheese and Dairy Ingredients:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jar (24 ounces/24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon (½ tsp) red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked to al dente

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Instructions

1. Preheat the culinary workspace by setting the oven temperature to 375F (190C), ensuring an even heating environment. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light coating of nonstick spray to prevent adhesion.
2. Craft the robust meat foundation by sautéing ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onions in a spacious skillet over medium heat until thoroughly browned. Eliminate any excess fat accumulation.
3. Enhance the meat mixture with minced garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and a judicious blend of salt and pepper. Allow the flavors to harmonize through a gentle 10-minute simmering process.
4. Create a luxurious cheese blend by thoroughly combining ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, chopped parsley, and complementary seasonings until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
5. Initiate the layering process by spreading a delicate base of meat sauce across the baking dish bottom to prevent sticking.
6. Arrange cooked lasagna noodles in a slightly overlapping pattern, creating a sturdy foundation for subsequent layers.
7. Distribute one-third of the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the noodles, followed by a generous portion of meat sauce.
8. Repeat the layering sequence twice more, ensuring each stratum is carefully constructed and evenly spread.
9. Culminate the assembly with a final layer of meat sauce, creating a visually appealing and flavor-packed top.
10. Generously sprinkle a combination of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the surface, promising a golden, crispy exterior.
11. Protect the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and heat thoroughly.
12. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden masterpiece.
13. Allow the lasagna to rest and settle for 10 minutes after removing from the oven, enabling easier slicing and flavor integration.
14. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant final touch before serving.

Notes

• Experiment with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a leaner or vegetarian version of this hearty lasagna.
• Allow the lasagna to rest after baking, which helps the layers set and makes cutting and serving much easier.
• Use no-boil lasagna noodles to save time and reduce the overall preparation process without compromising texture.
• Consider making this dish ahead of time and refrigerating or freezing, as lasagna often tastes even better the next day after flavors have melded together.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 495
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 835 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg