Homemade Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe – A Rich Family Favorite

Rich and creamy million dollar lasagna promises an unforgettable dining experience that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Layers of carefully selected ingredients come together in a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Comfort food reaches new heights with this decadent dish that feels like a warm embrace.

Culinary magic happens when simple components transform into something extraordinary and deeply satisfying.

Pasta sheets nestle between robust meat sauce and silky cheese, creating a masterpiece that whispers pure indulgence.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this recipe, passing down secrets that elevate a classic to something truly spectacular.

Each forkful promises a delightful journey through Italian-inspired culinary excellence that you won’t want to miss.

Why This Lasagna Is Worth Every Bite

• Craft a Crowd-Pleaser: This lasagna delivers restaurant-quality taste that will impress everyone at the dinner table, making it perfect for gatherings and special meals.
• Simplify Complicated Cooking: Despite looking fancy, the recipe uses straightforward steps and common ingredients that even novice cooks can master with confidence.
• Customize with Ease: Swap meats, adjust seasonings, or add extra vegetables to make this recipe your own personal signature dish that suits your family's preferences.
• Build Hearty Comfort: Packed with rich layers of meat, cheese, and sauce, this lasagna provides a satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate, guaranteed to fill hungry bellies.

Key Ingredients You’ll Need for a Showstopper Lasagna

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base for the lasagna's meat sauce.
• Sausage: Adds rich, spicy depth to the meat mixture.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creates a creamy and smooth filling for the lasagna layers.
• Cottage Cheese: Provides additional texture and moisture to the cheese mixture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Delivers a classic melty and stretchy cheese layer.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers a sharp and nutty finish to the dish.

• Marinara Sauce: Provides a classic tomato base for the lasagna.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds texture and extra tomato flavor to the sauce.

• Onion, Garlic: Bring depth and aromatic flavors to the meat sauce.
• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.

• Egg: Helps bind the cheese mixture together.

• Lasagna Noodles: The classic pasta foundation for layering the lasagna.

How to Layer and Bake a Million Dollar Lasagna

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Meaty Base

• Ground beef
• Sausage
• Onion
• Garlic

Cook everything until it turns a delicious golden brown. Drain off any extra grease to keep things light.

Step 3: Create the Sauce Symphony

• Marinara sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper

Let the sauce simmer and get friendly for about 10 minutes, letting the flavors dance together.

Step 4: Craft the Cheese Blend

• Ricotta cheese
• Cottage cheese
• Egg
• Mozzarella cheese

Whisk these ingredients until they’re smooth and well-acquainted.

Step 5: Build the Lasagna Layers

Start layering in your baking dish:

First layer: One-third of the meat sauce

Next: Lasagna noodles

Then: Half the cheese mixture

Repeat these layers one more time for maximum deliciousness.

Step 6: Add the Crowning Glory

• Remaining meat sauce
• Extra mozzarella cheese
• Sprinkle of Parmesan cheese

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling with excitement.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes.

This allows the layers to set and makes cutting and serving a breeze. Enjoy your million-dollar masterpiece!

Insider Secrets to a Perfectly Cooked Lasagna

• Select high-quality ground beef and Italian sausage for richer flavor depth.
• Drain meat thoroughly to prevent watery lasagna and ensure a perfect texture.
• Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley as a final garnish for extra brightness and aroma.
• Consider using no-boil lasagna noodles to simplify preparation and reduce cooking time.
• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, reheating gently to maintain moisture.

Flavor Twists to Elevate Your Lasagna Game

• Vegetarian Veggie Lasagna: Replace ground beef and sausage with a mix of roasted zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Use plant-based marinara sauce and add spinach for extra nutrition.
• Gluten-Free Lasagna Option: Swap traditional lasagna noodles with gluten-free pasta sheets or use thinly sliced zucchini as noodle replacements. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Lasagna: Substitute lasagna noodles with thin cauliflower slices. Use ground turkey instead of beef and reduce overall carbohydrate content while maintaining rich, hearty flavors.

Complementary Sides That Go Great with Lasagna

• Cozy Family Feast: Serve this hearty lasagna with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal that brings everyone together around the table.
• Elegant Dinner Party Plating: Slice carefully and garnish with fresh basil leaves, creating a restaurant-quality presentation that will impress your guests with minimal effort.
• Comfort Food Companion: Pair with a robust red wine like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon to elevate the rich, meaty flavors and create a memorable dining experience.
• Meal Prep Magic: Portion and freeze individual servings for quick, delicious lunches or dinners that taste just as amazing reheated as they do fresh from the oven.

How to Store Lasagna to Keep It Tasty for Days

• Refrigerate leftover lasagna in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking.
• Store lasagna slices separately or whole in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and freezer burn.
• Freeze lasagna portions for up to 3 months, ensuring complete cooling before freezing.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef and sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based meat alternative for a different flavor profile.

• Is it possible to make this lasagna ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the lasagna, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You might need to add 10-15 extra minutes to the baking time.

• Do I need to cook the lasagna noodles before assembling?

No, you can use no-boil (oven-ready) lasagna noodles, which will cook perfectly during the baking process and save you time and effort.

Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Million dollar lasagna weaves Italian culinary magic through layers of rich cheese and savory meats. Home cooks discover comfort and elegance in each carefully crafted slice you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 egg

Cheese:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:

• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked
• 1 jar (24 fluid ounces / 710 milliliters) marinara sauce
• 1 can (14.5 fluid ounces / 430 milliliters) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F. Thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Combine ground beef, sausage, finely chopped onion, and minced garlic in a large skillet. Cook until meats are completely browned and no pink remains. Carefully drain accumulated fat.
3. Pour marinara sauce into the meat mixture. Add diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow sauce to simmer and develop flavors for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Create cheese blend by whisking ricotta, cottage cheese, egg, and half the mozzarella in a separate mixing bowl until smooth and well incorporated.
5. Construct first lasagna layer by spreading one-third of meat sauce across bottom of prepared baking dish. Arrange lasagna noodles evenly over sauce, then carefully spread half the cheese mixture on top.
6. Repeat layering process with another third of meat sauce, additional noodles, and remaining cheese mixture.
7. Complete lasagna by topping with final layer of meat sauce. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across entire surface.
8. Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking 15 more minutes until cheese turns golden and edges become bubbly.
9. Remove from oven and let lasagna rest 10 minutes before serving to allow layers to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

• Optimize meat browning by ensuring high heat and avoiding overcrowding the skillet for perfect caramelization.
• Replace regular ground beef with lean ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier, lower-fat version.
• Make this lasagna ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, enhancing flavor development.
• Freeze individual portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for convenient future meals that reheat beautifully.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 540 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg