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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F. Thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- 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.
- 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.
- Create cheese blend by whisking ricotta, cottage cheese, egg, and half the mozzarella in a separate mixing bowl until smooth and well incorporated.
- 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.
- Repeat layering process with another third of meat sauce, additional noodles, and remaining cheese mixture.
- Complete lasagna by topping with final layer of meat sauce. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across entire surface.
- 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.
- 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