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Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe: Rich and Cheesy Italian Comfort Food Recipe

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4.1 from 39 reviews

  • Author: Patricia
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 portions

Description

Million Dollar Lasagna is a rich and indulgent layered Italian-American pasta dish featuring a savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta-based cheese filling, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for family gatherings, holidays, or cozy dinners, this classic comfort food recipe combines hearty ground beef and Italian sausage with a blend of cheeses and seasoned tomato sauce, baked to golden bubbly perfection.

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Cheese Filling

  • 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup grated parmesan

Other Layers

  • 12 lasagna noodles (boil or no-boil)
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, cooking until browned and no longer pink. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 20 minutes to meld the flavors.
  2. Mix Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta (or cottage cheese), softened cream cheese, sour cream, egg, and grated parmesan. Mix thoroughly until the filling is smooth and well blended.
  3. Cook Noodles: Boil the lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, or use no-boil noodles if preferred. Drain and set aside.
  4. Layer Lasagna: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Layer with noodles, then spoon on the cheese filling. Repeat layers—meat sauce, noodles, cheese filling—until ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and a generous spread of shredded mozzarella cheese.
  5. Bake: Cover the assembled lasagna with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
  6. Rest & Serve: Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 to 15 minutes after baking. This helps the layers set and makes slicing easier. Serve warm for a hearty family-style dinner.

Notes

  • Variations: Add mushrooms and spinach for a vegetarian option, jalapeños for a spicy kick, use Alfredo sauce for a white lasagna variation, or substitute zucchini noodles for a gluten-free version.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. Freeze the entire lasagna or sliced portions for up to 2 months.
  • Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes covered with foil to retain moisture.
  • Pairings: Serve with garlic bread, a fresh salad, or roasted vegetables. Complement with red wine or iced tea for a complete meal.
  • Common Mistakes: Drain excess fat from meat to prevent watery lasagna, include an egg in the cheese filling for better structure, and always cover with foil during baking to avoid burning the top.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American, Comfort Food

Find it online: https://patriciarecipes.com/million-dollar-lasagna-recipe-rich-and-cheesy-italian-comfort-food-recipe/