Go Back

Million Dollar Lasagna

A luxurious twist on traditional lasagna with layers of meat sauce and an ultra-creamy cheese filling that makes it perfect for special occasions.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

For the meat sauce
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 48 oz marinara or spaghetti sauce (2 jars)
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
For the cheese mixture
  • 16 oz ricotta cheese
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley (or 2 tsp dried)
For assembly
  • 12-15 noodles lasagna (cooked or oven-ready)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for layering)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Method
 

Prepare the meat sauce
  1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking the meat apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat, then add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
  2. Add the marinara sauce, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop.
Make the cheese filling
  1. In a large bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, the egg, and parsley. Mix well until fully combined and creamy.
Cook the noodles
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
Assemble the lasagna
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Add a layer of noodles, then spread half of the cheese mixture evenly over them. Top with meat sauce and a layer of shredded mozzarella.
  2. Repeat the layers, finishing with noodles topped with the remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle generously with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Bake
  1. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Serve with garlic bread, salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a finishing touch.