This Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe earns its name with every rich, cheesy bite. It’s a layered masterpiece that combines hearty meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and tender pasta for a truly indulgent comfort food classic. Perfect for Sunday dinner, family gatherings, or whenever you want a cozy, oven-baked meal that feels like a warm hug. With just a little prep, this lasagna delivers big on flavor—and it freezes beautifully for make-ahead ease.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Layers of flavor: Savory meat sauce + creamy cheese filling = unbeatable combination
- Creamy and cheesy: Ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, AND mozzarella
- Great for leftovers: Tastes even better the next day
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep, chill, and bake when ready
- Freezer-safe: Perfect for batch cooking and gifting
If you’ve never made lasagna from scratch, this is the recipe that will make you fall in love.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes (drained)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cheese Layer:
- 1 (15 oz) container ricotta or cottage cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
For Assembly:
- 9–12 cooked lasagna noodles (or use no-boil)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
- Cooking spray or olive oil (for the pan)
Instructions
- Cook the noodles
If using regular lasagna noodles, cook according to package directions, then drain and set aside. - Make the meat sauce
Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté onion until soft, then add garlic. Add beef and sausage, breaking it up until browned. Stir in marinara, diced tomatoes, and seasoning. Simmer for 10–15 minutes. - Mix the cheese layer
In a large bowl, combine ricotta (or cottage cheese), cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan, and 1½ cups mozzarella. Stir until smooth. - Assemble the lasagna
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer in this order:- ⅓ of the meat sauce
- 3–4 noodles
- ½ of the cheese mixture
Repeat layers, ending with meat sauce. Top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella.
- Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15–20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden. - Rest and serve
Let lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 8–10 generous slices
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 580
- Protein: 31g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fat: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 840mg
Nutrition estimates will vary based on ingredients and portion size.
Tips & Variations
- Make it ahead: Assemble lasagna up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, then bake.
- Freeze it: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months before or after baking.
- Add greens: Layer in cooked spinach or sautéed zucchini for a veggie boost.
- No-boil noodles: Use them directly—just ensure sauce is moist enough.
- Make it spicy: Use hot Italian sausage and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
FAQs
Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes! Cottage cheese works well and is a little lighter—just drain it well first.
Do I need to cook the noodles?
Not if you’re using no-boil noodles. If using traditional, cook them before layering.
How long does it keep in the fridge?
Up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Can I freeze individual slices?
Absolutely! Wrap tightly and freeze in single portions. Reheat from frozen or thaw overnight.
Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe
Equipment
- – Skillet
- – 9×13-inch baking dish
- – Mixing bowls
- – Foil
Ingredients
- #### Meat Sauce
- – 1 tbsp olive oil
- – 1 medium onion chopped
- – 3 cloves garlic minced
- – 1 lb ground beef
- – ½ lb Italian sausage
- – 1 24 oz jar marinara
- – 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- – 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- – Salt and pepper
- #### Cheese Mixture
- – 15 oz ricotta or cottage cheese
- – 8 oz cream cheese softened
- – ½ cup sour cream
- – 1 egg
- – ½ cup grated Parmesan
- – 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- – 1 tbsp fresh parsley optional
- #### Assembly
- – 9–12 lasagna noodles cooked or no-boil
- – 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- – Olive oil or spray for pan
Instructions
- Cook noodles if using traditional type.
- In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Add beef and sausage, brown completely.
- Add marinara, tomatoes, and seasoning. Simmer 10–15 mins.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan, and mozzarella.
- Layer meat sauce, noodles, cheese mixture in a greased 9×13-inch dish. Repeat.
- Top with sauce and mozzarella.
- Bake at 350°F, covered for 30 mins. Uncover and bake 15–20 mins more.
- Let rest 10 mins before serving.
Notes
– Freezes well baked or unbaked
– Use no-boil noodles for faster prep
– Swap in spinach or zucchini for added veggies
Conclusion
This Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With rich layers of meat and cheese, it’s the kind of comfort food that makes every bite feel like a celebration. Whether you’re feeding a family, prepping meals ahead, or making dinner for guests—you’ll be proud to serve this luxurious lasagna.