Million Dollar Lasagna
This lasagna is a true crowd-pleaser, packed with layers of savory meat sauce, creamy cheese mixture, and perfectly cooked noodles. The combination of ricotta, cream cheese, and mozzarella creates an indulgent, rich flavor that’s elevated with the savory meat sauce. Whether for a family dinner, holiday meal, or special occasion, this lasagna is guaranteed to impress!
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
1 pound (450g) ground beef
1 pound (450g) Italian sausage
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or homemade)
1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
For the Cheese Mixture:
16 oz (450g) ricotta cheese
8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
For the Layers:
12 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package instructions
2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese (in addition to cheese mixture)
Extra parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce
In a large skillet or pot, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 2: Make the Cheese Mixture
In a large bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and parsley until smooth.
Stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 3: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
Place 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping them.
Spread a generous layer of the cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce.
Sprinkle with a handful of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers (noodles, cheese mixture, meat sauce, shredded mozzarella) until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of meat sauce and shredded mozzarella on top.
Step 5: Bake
Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing to allow the layers to set.
Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
This lasagna is all about layers of rich, creamy cheese and hearty meat sauce. The combination of cream cheese and ricotta gives the cheese layer a velvety, decadent texture, while the Italian sausage and ground beef in the meat sauce add a savory depth of flavor. A touch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, making this dish the perfect harmony of flavors.
You can prepare this dish ahead of time, assemble the lasagna, and then refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. This can actually help the flavors meld together even more! For an extra touch of richness, you can sprinkle more cheese on top in the final step or add a bit of basil to garnish for some freshness.
Find it online: https://richspoon.com/million-dollar-lasagna/