Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe (Rich, Creamy & Cheesy)

If you’re looking for a lasagna recipe that truly lives up to its name, this Million Dollar Lasagna is the one. It’s rich, creamy, cheesy, and layered with savory meat sauce that will steal the show at any dinner table. With every bite, you get the perfect balance of tender noodles, luscious cheese, and bold Italian flavor. Whether you’re hosting guests or just want to spoil your family with a hearty meal, this dish is pure comfort — with a five-star twist.

Why You’ll Love This Lasagna Recipe

• Double meat for extra depth — ground beef + Italian sausage
• Ultra-creamy cheese filling (thanks to cream cheese & sour cream)
• Perfect for holidays or freezer meals
• Layers of bold flavor and melty mozzarella
• Feeds a crowd and makes delicious leftovers!

Ingredients

Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)
• ½ lb Italian sausage
• 1 small 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

Creamy Cheese Filling:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for the filling)

Pasta & Topping:

• 12 lasagna noodles (boiled or no-boil)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
• Extra Parmesan, for garnish (optional)
• Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Make the Meat Sauce
   In a large skillet, cook ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
   Add onion and garlic; sauté 2–3 minutes.
   Stir in marinara, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Mix the Cheese Filling
   In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan, and 1 cup mozzarella. Mix until smooth and fluffy.
3. Preheat and Prep
   Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. If using regular lasagna noodles, boil according to package instructions.
4. Assemble the Lasagna
   • Spread a layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
   • Top with 3 noodles, then spread ⅓ of the cheese filling.
   • Add more meat sauce.
   • Repeat layers (noodles → cheese → sauce) until you have 3 full layers.
   • Finish with a layer of noodles, remaining sauce, and 1 cup mozzarella on top.
5. Bake
   Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
6. Rest & Serve
   Let lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with basil, parsley, and extra Parmesan if desired.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Servings: 8–10
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Estimated Cost: ~$15–18

Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate)

• Calories: 550–600
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 30g
• Fat: 35g (Saturated: 18g)
• Sodium: 1050mg
• Sugar: 4g
• Cholesterol: 135mg
• Fiber: 2g

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips:

• Use no-boil noodles for quicker prep
• Let the lasagna rest before slicing for clean layers
• Make sure your sauce isn’t too watery — simmer well

To Make Ahead:
Assemble the lasagna and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

To Freeze:
Wrap assembled (unbaked) lasagna tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F, adding 30 extra minutes.

To Reheat:
Cover with foil and bake at 350°F until hot, or microwave single slices.

Million Dollar Lasagna

This lasagna recipe combines savory meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and tender noodles for a rich, indulgent dish your family will request on repeat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Italian-American

Servings 10 lasagna

Calories 600 kcal

Equipment

• – Skillet
• – 9×13” baking dish
• Mixing bowls
• – Foil

Ingredients

  

• – 1 lb ground beef
• – ½ lb Italian sausage
• – 1 small onion diced
• – 3 garlic cloves minced
• – 1 jar 24 oz marinara
• – 1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes
• – 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• – Salt and pepper to taste
• – 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
• – 4 oz cream cheese
• – ½ cup sour cream
• – 1 egg
• – ½ cup Parmesan
• – 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• – 12 lasagna noodles
• – 1 cup mozzarella for topping
• – Optional: Fresh parsley Parmesan

Instructions

 

• Cook ground beef and sausage. Add onion and garlic. Drain fat.
• Stir in marinara, tomatoes, seasoning. Simmer 15 min.
• Mix ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan, and mozzarella.
• Layer: Sauce → Noodles → Cheese (x3). Finish with sauce and mozzarella.
• Bake covered at 375°F for 25 min, then uncovered for 20 min.
• Rest 10–15 min before slicing. Garnish as desired.

Notes

– Rest before slicing to prevent runny layers
– Freeze unbaked for up to 3 months
– Substitute veggies for a meatless version

Keyword cheesy pasta bake, lasagna recipe, million dollar lasagna

FAQs

Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes! Cottage cheese gives a lighter texture while still keeping the filling creamy.

What kind of noodles should I use?
Both no-boil and boiled lasagna noodles work. Just adjust your layering and sauce quantity accordingly.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Definitely. Freeze unbaked or baked lasagna — it reheats beautifully.

Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes — use sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini instead of meat.

Why is it called “Million Dollar Lasagna”?
Because it’s rich, indulgent, and tastes like a million bucks — but you don’t need to spend a fortune to make it!

Conclusion

This lasagna recipe is truly something special. It’s rich, flavorful, and layered with all the best textures — creamy, cheesy, and savory. Whether you’re cooking for Sunday dinner, holiday feasts, or prepping freezer meals, this Million Dollar Lasagna is the one to bookmark. It’s not just comfort food — it’s celebration food.