Million Dollar Lasagna 🧀🍅🍖
This Million Dollar Lasagna is a rich, cheesy, and ultra-delicious dish packed with layers of creamy ricotta, flavorful meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese. It's the ultimate comfort food for family dinners or special occasions!
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
1 lb ground beef 🥩
1/2 lb Italian sausage 🌭 (optional, but adds great flavor)
1 small onion, chopped 🧅
3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes 🍅
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce 🍅
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste 🍅
1/2 cup water 💧
1 tbsp Italian seasoning 🌿
1 tsp salt 🧂
1/2 tsp black pepper 🫙
1 tsp sugar 🍚 (balances acidity)
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes 🌶️ (optional)
For the Ricotta Layer:
15 oz ricotta cheese 🧀
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened 🥄
1 egg 🥚
1/2 cup sour cream 🍶
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
1 tsp garlic powder 🧄
1 tsp dried basil 🌿
1/2 tsp salt 🧂
Other Ingredients:
12 lasagna noodles 🍜 (cooked according to package directions)
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 🧀
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
Instructions
1. Make the Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet or pot, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until onions are soft.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water.
Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Simmer on low heat for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:
In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, cream cheese, egg, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried basil, and salt until smooth.
3. Assemble the Lasagna:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Place 3 cooked lasagna noodles on top.
Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
Repeat the layers two more times, finishing with noodles on top.
Spread the remaining meat sauce over the top layer.
Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake the Lasagna:
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Tips for the Best Million Dollar Lasagna:
✔ Use full-fat cheese for maximum creaminess.
✔ Let it rest before cutting to prevent layers from sliding.
✔ Make ahead – This lasagna tastes even better the next day!
✔ Serve with garlic bread 🥖 and a fresh salad 🥗.
Get ready to enjoy a Million Dollar Lasagna 🧀🍅🥩 that’s worth every bite! 😍