Description
Lasagna lovers will adore this million dollar lasagna recipe that combines rich flavors and classic Italian ingredients. Creamy cheeses, savory meats, and perfectly layered pasta create a memorable dining experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 egg
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 container (16 ounces) ricotta cheese
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta:
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef, sausage, and diced onions over medium heat, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
- Incorporate minced garlic, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, allowing it to simmer and develop rich flavors for 10 minutes.
- Create a creamy cheese blend by whisking ricotta, cream cheese, and egg until uniformly smooth and well-combined.
- Construct the lasagna layers strategically: spread a thin base of meat sauce, arrange pasta noodles, distribute the ricotta mixture, and sprinkle mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat layering process, ensuring even distribution of meat sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, and mozzarella.
- Crown the lasagna with remaining mozzarella and generously dust with Parmesan cheese for a golden, crispy top.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the surface turns golden and edges become deliciously bubbly.
- Allow the lasagna to rest and settle for 10 minutes before serving, which helps maintain structural integrity when slicing.
Notes
- Swap ground meats with plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian version that maintains rich flavor profiles.
- Enhance creaminess by using full-fat dairy ingredients, ensuring a luxurious texture and deeper taste.
- Create make-ahead convenience by assembling lasagna a day before baking, allowing flavors to meld and intensify overnight.
- Prevent soggy layers by patting noodles dry and ensuring minimal excess liquid in meat sauce before layering.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 523 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1830 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg