Million Dollar Lasagna

Here’s a rich, indulgent, Million Dollar Lasagna recipe — so named because it tastes like a million bucks! This layered baked pasta dish combines creamy cheese, flavorful meat sauce, and pasta sheets into a decadent comfort food classic.

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🧀 Million Dollar Lasagna

🍽️ Servings: 8

⏱️ Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 1 hr | Total Time: ~1.5 hrs

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🧾 Ingredients:

Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef

• ½ lb (225 g) Italian sausage (mild or hot)

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 jar (24 oz / 700 ml) marinara sauce or your favorite pasta sauce

• 2 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for depth)

• Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning to taste

Creamy Cheese Filling:

• 1 container (15 oz / 425 g) ricotta cheese or cottage cheese

• 1 block (8 oz / 225 g) cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup (100 g) sour cream

• 1 large egg

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or 1 tbsp dried

Other:

• 9 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)

• 3 cups (300 g) shredded mozzarella cheese

• Extra grated Parmesan for topping

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👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Make the Meat Sauce

• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, sausage, and onion until browned.

• Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

• Drain excess fat.

• Stir in marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

• Simmer for 10–15 minutes, uncovered.

2. Prepare the Cheese Mixture

• In a large bowl, mix ricotta (or cottage cheese), cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan, and parsley until smooth.

3. Cook the Noodles (if needed)

• If using traditional lasagna noodles, boil according to package instructions, then drain and lay flat on parchment paper or a towel to prevent sticking.

4. Layer the Lasagna

In a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, layer as follows:

1. Meat sauce – thin layer to coat bottom

2. 3 lasagna noodles

3. ½ of the cheese mixture

4. 1 cup mozzarella

5. ½ of the remaining meat sauce

Repeat:

6. 3 more noodles

7. Remaining cheese mixture

8. 1 cup mozzarella

9. Remaining meat sauce

Top layer:

10. Final 3 noodles

11. Remaining 1 cup mozzarella

12. Extra Parmesan on top

5. Bake

• Cover with foil (spray underside with cooking spray to prevent sticking).

• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes.

• Uncover and bake 15 more minutes or until bubbly and golden.

6. Rest and Serve

• Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This helps it set.

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🥗 Serving Suggestion:

Serve with a crisp green salad and garlic bread.