A lasagna recipe this rich and creamy truly earns its name. This Million Dollar Lasagna layers a meaty, savory sauce with a decadent cheese filling that includes ricotta, sour cream, and cream cheese—yes, cream cheese! It’s all baked into tender lasagna noodles and topped with gooey mozzarella. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or craving the ultimate comfort food, this dish is a guaranteed showstopper.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Layers of ultra-creamy, cheesy goodness
- Packed with bold flavor from beef, sausage, and herbs
- Make-ahead and freezer-friendly
- Crowd-pleasing and perfect for holidays or gatherings
- Flexible: use ricotta, cottage cheese, or go vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ lb Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 14 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Cheese Filling:
- 1½ cups ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Other Ingredients:
- 12 lasagna noodles (boiled or no-boil)
- 1 additional cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
- Fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the Meat Sauce
In a large skillet, brown the beef and sausage over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until soft. Stir in marinara, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes. - Prepare the Cheese Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan, and half of the mozzarella. Mix until creamy. - Preheat Oven & Prep Dish
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. - Assemble the Lasagna
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the dish. Add 3 noodles, a layer of the cheese mixture, and more sauce. Repeat for three layers, ending with sauce and topping with the remaining mozzarella. - Bake the Lasagna
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 20 minutes until bubbly and golden. - Let It Rest
Let lasagna sit for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This helps layers set and enhances flavor.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 8–10
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~575 kcal
- Protein: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 35g
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Fiber: 2g
Tips & Variations
- Make ahead: Assemble up to a day in advance and refrigerate
- Freezer-friendly: Wrap unbaked lasagna in foil and freeze for up to 3 months
- Vegetarian option: Substitute mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach for the meat
- Noodle choice: Use traditional or no-boil noodles—just make sure there’s enough sauce for moisture
Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe
Equipment
- – 9×13-inch baking dish
- – Mixing bowls
- – Large skillet
Ingredients
- – 1 lb ground beef
- – ½ lb Italian sausage
- – 1 onion diced
- – 3 garlic cloves minced
- – 24 oz marinara
- – 14 oz diced tomatoes
- – 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- – Salt & pepper to taste
- – 1½ cups ricotta or cottage cheese
- – 4 oz cream cheese
- – ½ cup sour cream
- – 1 egg
- – ¼ cup Parmesan
- – 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- – 12 lasagna noodles
- – 1 cup mozzarella topping
- – Fresh parsley or basil garnish
Instructions
- Brown beef & sausage. Add onion & garlic.
- Stir in marinara, tomatoes, seasoning. Simmer 10–15 mins.
- Mix cheeses, egg, and half the mozzarella in a bowl.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 9×13-inch dish.
- Layer: sauce, noodles, cheese. Repeat 3 times. Top with mozzarella.
- Cover and bake 25 mins. Uncover and bake 20 mins more.
- Let rest 10–15 mins before serving.
Notes
– Rest before slicing to keep layers neat
FAQs
Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes! Cottage cheese offers a lighter texture but still delivers creamy results.
How do I keep lasagna from getting watery?
Fully simmer your sauce to reduce moisture, and always let the lasagna rest after baking.
Can I freeze this lasagna?
Absolutely. Freeze before or after baking. Reheat from frozen by adding 20–30 minutes to the bake time.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Cover slices with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 20–25 minutes.
Conclusion
This Million Dollar lasagna recipe is everything comfort food should be—cheesy, hearty, and unforgettable. The combination of rich meat sauce and luxurious cheese layers makes every bite feel indulgent. Whether you’re making it for Sunday dinner or meal prep, this lasagna will steal the show (and likely become your new go-to)!