Indulgent Cheesy Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe for Your Family

Layered with rich flavors and creamy textures, this cheesy million dollar lasagna recipe promises a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds.

The secret weapon of this classic dish lies in its perfectly balanced ingredients and meticulous preparation.

Generations of home cooks have cherished this comforting pasta masterpiece, passing down techniques that elevate each bite.

Melted cheese cascades between tender pasta sheets, creating a symphony of savory goodness.

Hearty beef and robust tomato sauce intermingle with velvety ricotta, promising a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Succulent and satisfying, this lasagna transforms an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast.

Each forkful invites you to savor a slice of pure, delicious comfort.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 495 kcal

Servings: 8

Million Dollar Lasagna Ingredients Breakdown

• Ground Beef: Rich protein base that adds hearty texture and deep savory flavor to the lasagna.
• Italian Sausage: Brings robust, spicy undertones and enhances overall meat complexity.
• Onion: Provides aromatic sweetness and foundational flavor for the sauce.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato base that creates a tangy, vibrant sauce profile.
• Garlic: Introduces pungent depth and traditional Italian cooking essence.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends herbs that infuse authentic Mediterranean taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat and exciting flavor dimension.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy ingredient that creates smooth, luxurious filling texture.
• Cream Cheese: Introduces rich, velvety consistency to cheese mixture.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and helps create lighter cheese blend.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Delivers classic stretchy, melty cheese experience.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes sharp, nutty undertones and authentic Italian character.
• Egg: Binds cheese ingredients and provides structural stability.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that brings bright, clean flavor and visual appeal.

• Lasagna Noodles: Foundational layer that creates classic pasta structure.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps control moisture and prevents excessive browning during baking.
• Fresh Parsley: Garnish that adds color and fresh herbal note to final presentation.

Lasagna Equipment for Layered Goodness

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning meat and cooking sauce with deep, even heat.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Perfect for layering and baking the entire lasagna.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Needed for preparing smooth cheese filling.
• Aluminum Foil: Used to cover lasagna during initial baking stage.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps mix ingredients and spread layers evenly.
• Sharp Knife: Required for slicing lasagna after baking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient proportions.

Putting Together Million Dollar Lasagna

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 375F and grab a 9×13 baking dish. Lightly grease it with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.

• Craft the Meaty Base

Brown ground beef and Italian sausage in a skillet with diced onions. Once cooked, drain any extra fat. Toss in minced garlic and pour marinara sauce. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes for a flavor kick. Let the sauce simmer and develop rich flavors.

• Create Creamy Cheese Blend

Whip together ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream in a mixing bowl. Crack an egg and fold in mozzarella and Parmesan. Season with fresh parsley, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.

• Layer with Love

Start by spreading a thin meat sauce layer on the bottom of the dish. Add lasagna noodles, slightly overlapping. Spoon cheese mixture and meat sauce in three even layers. Top the final layer with extra shredded cheese for a golden, melty crown.

• Bake to Perfection

Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until cheese turns golden and bubbly. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving to help it set. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a pop of color.

Extra Tips for Making Lasagna Shine

• Smart Storage Solutions: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze individual portions for quick future meals up to 3 months.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire lasagna a day before baking, cover tightly, and store in the refrigerator to enhance flavor development and save time on busy cooking days.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace ground beef and Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter, leaner version without compromising rich, robust taste.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Substitute traditional wheat lasagna noodles with gluten-free pasta sheets or use wide zucchini slices as a low-carb, vegetable-packed alternative that keeps the dish light and nutritious.
• Vegetarian Twist: Transform the recipe by replacing meat with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and roasted vegetables, maintaining the creamy cheese layers and delivering a hearty, satisfying vegetarian meal that everyone will love.

Million Dollar Lasagna Serving Notes

• Dinner Party Centerpiece: Wow guests by presenting this lasagna as the star attraction of your meal, surrounded by simple garlic bread and a crisp green salad for a complete dining experience.
• Wine Pairing Paradise: Complement the rich, hearty flavors with a bold red wine like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon, which will beautifully enhance the meat and cheese combination.
• Fresh Herb Finishing Touch: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or extra parsley just before serving to add a bright, aromatic note that cuts through the lasagna's richness and provides a pop of color.
• Leftover Love Hack: Transform remaining slices into a delicious next-day lunch by reheating and serving alongside a light mixed greens salad or tucking a slice into a warm sandwich roll.

Smart Storage for Million Dollar Lasagna

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store lasagna in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Keeps perfectly fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining delicious flavor and texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Slice cooled lasagna into individual portions, wrap each carefully in freezer-safe plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated lasagna in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. For crispy edges, remove foil during the last 5 minutes of heating. Microwave works for quick single servings, but oven maintains better texture.
• Portion Control Tips: Cut lasagna into consistent squares before storing. Use meal prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness and plan weekly meals efficiently.

Cheesy Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Creamy, layered million dollar lasagna blends Italian culinary traditions with rich cheese and savory meat. Generous portions and classic ingredients promise a comforting meal you’ll savor with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (1 pound) ground beef
• ½ lb (0.5 pound) Italian sausage
• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked to al dente
• 1 jar (24 oz/24 ounces) marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 8 oz (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
• ½ cup (0.5 cup) sour cream
• ½ cup (0.5 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup (0.25 cup) grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp (2 tablespoons) fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 tsp (1 teaspoon) Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp (0.5 teaspoon) red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Calibrate the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick coating to prevent adherence.
2. Meat Foundation: In a large skillet, sear ground beef, Italian sausage, and onions over medium heat until completely browned. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
3. Flavor Infusion: Introduce minced garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
4. Cheese Blend: Whisk ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, and seasonings until achieving a smooth, homogeneous texture.
5. Layering Technique: Spread a thin meat sauce layer on the baking dish bottom, then arrange cooked lasagna noodles in slightly overlapping rows to create a solid base.
6. Stratification: Alternately layer cheese mixture and meat sauce, repeating three times to ensure a harmonious distribution of flavors and textures.
7. Crowning Glory: Top with a final layer of meat sauce and generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the surface.
8. Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese becomes golden and bubbly.
9. Resting Period: Remove from oven and let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to settle and facilitating clean slicing.
10. Presentation: Optional garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a vibrant, fresh element to the dish.

Notes

• Manage Meat Browning: Ensure ground beef and sausage are thoroughly browned without burning, draining excess fat completely to prevent greasiness and maintain a clean, rich flavor profile.
• Control Cheese Mixture Consistency: Mix cheese ingredients gently to avoid over-mixing, which can create a dense texture; aim for a smooth, creamy blend that spreads easily between lasagna layers.
• Prevent Noodle Sticking: Cook lasagna noodles al dente and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process, then lay flat to prevent clumping and ensure clean, separate layers during assembly.
• Master Resting Time: Let lasagna rest exactly 10 minutes after baking, which allows layers to set, makes cutting cleaner, and helps flavors meld together for a more cohesive taste experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg