Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe is everything you want in a baked pasta dish—ultra creamy, loaded with cheese, packed with savory meat, and layered to perfection. It’s comfort food taken to the next level, perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or any time you want to impress without the fuss.
Why settle for ordinary lasagna when you can make it feel like a million bucks? This rich, indulgent take on the classic features layers of creamy cheese filling, hearty meat sauce, and tender pasta noodles. The secret is in the cheese blend—ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, and mozzarella—giving it a texture and flavor that truly lives up to its name.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crowd-pleaser: Great for gatherings or weeknight leftovers
- Make-ahead friendly: Assemble ahead and bake when needed
- Freezer-ready: Perfect for batch cooking or meal prep
- Rich and creamy: Multiple cheeses create the ultimate indulgence
- Customizable: Easy to make vegetarian or lighter
Ingredients
For the meat sauce
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the cheese mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
For layering
- 12 lasagna noodles (boiled or oven-ready)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
- Fresh parsley or basil, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the meat sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef and sausage until cooked. Add diced onion and garlic; cook until softened. Stir in marinara, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
- Make cheese filling: In a bowl, mix ricotta (or cottage cheese), cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan, and 1 cup mozzarella. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Preheat oven: Set to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Assemble the lasagna: Spread a small amount of sauce on the bottom of the pan. Add 3 noodles. Layer 1/3 of the cheese mixture, then meat sauce. Repeat layers twice more. Finish with remaining noodles, sauce, and 1 cup mozzarella on top.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake another 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley or basil if desired.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 8
Nutrition Facts (per serving – approximate)
- Calories: 580
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Sugar: 4g
- Fiber: 2g
Tips & Variations
- Vegetarian option: Use sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini in place of meat
- No-boil noodles: Make sure your sauce is extra saucy to soften them
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or hot Italian sausage
- Prep ahead: Assemble a day in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready
- Freezer tip: Freeze assembled (unbaked) lasagna for up to 3 months
FAQs
Can I substitute cottage cheese for ricotta?
Yes! Cottage cheese is lighter and blends well with cream cheese and sour cream for a creamy texture.
How do I prevent watery lasagna?
Let it rest after baking to help it set, and simmer the sauce longer to reduce moisture.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Definitely. Wrap individual portions and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
Can I bake it straight from frozen?
Yes—just add 20–30 minutes to baking time and keep it covered until the last 15 minutes.
Can I use different noodles?
You can use traditional boiled noodles, oven-ready, or even fresh pasta sheets.
Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe
Equipment
- – Skillet
- Mixing bowl
- – 9×13” baking dish
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- **Meat Sauce:**
- – 1 lb ground beef
- – 1/2 lb Italian sausage
- – 1 onion diced
- – 3 garlic cloves minced
- – 1 24 oz jar marinara
- – 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- – 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- – Salt and pepper to taste
- **Cheese Layer:**
- – 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
- – 4 oz cream cheese
- – 1/2 cup sour cream
- – 1 egg
- – 1/2 cup Parmesan
- – 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- **Layering:**
- – 12 lasagna noodles
- – 1 cup shredded mozzarella for topping
- – Fresh herbs parsley or basil, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Brown beef and sausage. Add onion and garlic, cook until soft. Stir in marinara, tomatoes, seasoning. Simmer 10–15 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix all cheese filling ingredients until creamy.
- Layer: sauce, noodles, cheese mix. Repeat for 3 layers. Top with sauce and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil. Bake 25 min. Uncover and bake 20 min more until golden.
- Let rest 10–15 min before slicing. Garnish and serve.
Notes
– Add extra veggies like spinach or mushrooms
– Freeze before or after baking for easy meals later
Conclusion
This Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe delivers everything you crave in a baked pasta dish: gooey cheese, savory meat, and layer upon layer of comfort. Whether it’s a holiday meal, potluck, or just a hearty family dinner, this recipe will earn rave reviews and maybe even a standing ovation.