Description
Million Dollar Lasagna is a hearty and indulgent Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheese mixture, and tender lasagna noodles. This recipe blends ground beef and Italian sausage with a flavorful tomato sauce, complemented by a luscious mixture of ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, and cheeses, baked to golden perfection for a comforting and satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Creamy Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Other
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained (or no-boil noodles)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until fully cooked, breaking the meat apart as it cooks.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the meat. Sauté until the onion is softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, combining thoroughly.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to low and let the meat sauce simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Make the Creamy Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese), softened cream cheese, sour cream, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread one-third of the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the noodles, then add a layer of meat sauce. Repeat this layering process two more times, ending with a final layer of noodles topped with the remaining meat sauce and the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the assembled lasagna with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest before Serving: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes to allow it to set and make slicing easier before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute cottage cheese for ricotta cheese for a lighter option, although ricotta gives a creamier texture.
- If using no-boil noodles, adjust cooking time slightly if needed as per package instructions.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps the layers hold together and enhances slicing.
- This lasagna can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking, just increase baking time slightly if baking straight from the fridge.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
