Description

This Million Dollar Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, featuring layers of tender pasta, hearty meat sauce, and a rich, creamy cheese mixture. Perfect for family dinners, holidays, or meal prepping, this lasagna is easy to make and completely customizable. Every bite is packed with bold flavors, melty cheese, and a touch of Italian-inspired magic!

Ingredients

Scale

For the 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

For the Creamy Cheese Layer:

2 cups ricotta cheese (or substitute with 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

For the Pasta Layer:

12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained (or no-boil noodles)

Instructions

Prepare the Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until browned. Add the diced onion and garlic, sautéing until softened. Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
Make the Creamy Cheese Mixture:
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir until smooth and well blended.
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Assemble the Lasagna:
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Layer with 3 lasagna noodles, 1/3 of the cheese mixture, and a layer of meat sauce. Repeat the layers two more times, ending with a final layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Bake the Lasagna:
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Rest and Serve:
Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with garlic bread or a fresh salad.

Notes

Make It Ahead: Assemble the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate. Simply bake when ready to serve.
Freezer-Friendly: This lasagna freezes beautifully. Wrap portions in foil and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
Customize: Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for a veggie-packed twist.
Use No-Boil Noodles: Save time by using no-boil lasagna noodles; they work just as well!

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of the pan)
Calories: ~575 kcal
Sugar: ~6 g
Sodium: ~950 mg
Fat: ~33 g
Saturated Fat: ~16 g
Unsaturated Fat: ~13 g
Trans Fat: ~0.5 g
Carbohydrates: ~35 g
Fiber: ~3 g
Protein: ~35 g
Cholesterol: ~120 mg

Keywords: Million Dollar Lasagna, Best Lasagna Recipe, Cheesy Lasagna, Italian Lasagna, Lasagna with Ricotta and Cream Cheese