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Million Dollar Lasagna earns its name with every rich, cheesy, and comforting bite. This baked pasta dish is a true showstopper—perfect for Sunday dinners, special occasions, or anytime you’re craving the ultimate comfort food. With layers of savory meat sauce, a luxuriously creamy cheese mixture, tender pasta, and a golden crown of melted mozzarella, this lasagna is the kind of dish that disappears fast at the dinner table. It’s hearty, indulgent, and surprisingly easy to prepare, making it a go-to for feeding a hungry crowd.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
1 lb ground beef
1 lb Italian sausage
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Cheese Layer:
2 cups ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
For the Pasta Layer:
12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained (or use no-boil lasagna noodles)
Instructions
Start by preparing the meat sauce. In a large skillet or saucepan, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and crumbled. Drain excess grease if needed. Add the diced onion and garlic and continue to cook for a few minutes until the onion is soft and fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then let the sauce simmer gently for 10–15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
While the sauce simmers, make the creamy cheese mixture. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of the mozzarella. Mix until the filling is smooth and creamy—this luscious layer is what gives the dish that “million dollar” richness.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
To assemble the lasagna, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce, then spread one-third of the cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with a layer of meat sauce, spreading it evenly. Repeat this layering process two more times—noodles, cheese, meat sauce—until all the components are used. Finish with a final layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and the last cup of mozzarella cheese sprinkled generously over the top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for another 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the layers set and makes serving much easier.
Serve warm with garlic bread, a crisp green salad, or roasted vegetables for a full, satisfying meal.
Notes
You can use all ricotta or all cottage cheese if you prefer—either will give you a creamy layer, though ricotta has a slightly richer texture
The cream cheese and sour cream in the cheese filling add a luscious tang and extra creaminess that elevates this lasagna beyond the traditional version
For extra flavor, try adding a splash of red wine to the meat sauce as it simmers
This dish can be made a day ahead and refrigerated overnight—just increase the covered baking time by 10–15 minutes to ensure it heats through
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days and taste even better the next day
FAQs
Can I freeze Million Dollar Lasagna?
Yes! This lasagna freezes beautifully either before or after baking. Wrap it tightly with foil and plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. If frozen unbaked, thaw in the fridge overnight before baking as directed. If already baked, reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven.
Can I make this meatless?
Absolutely. Swap the meat with a mixture of sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, or your favorite plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version.
Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles?
Yes, just be sure to add a little extra sauce between layers so the noodles have enough moisture to cook properly in the oven.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
You can reheat a slice in the microwave or cover a portion with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly, about 15–20 minutes.
Can I use different cheese blends?
Definitely. While mozzarella and Parmesan are classic, feel free to add provolone, fontina, or even a little cheddar to the mix if you like a more intense cheesy flavor.
Million Dollar Lasagna
Million Dollar Lasagna earns its name with every rich, cheesy, and comforting bite. This baked pasta dish is a true showstopper—perfect for Sunday dinners, special occasions, or anytime you’re craving the ultimate comfort food. With layers of savory meat sauce, a luxuriously creamy cheese mixture, tender pasta, and a golden crown of melted mozzarella, this lasagna is the kind of dish that disappears fast at the dinner table. It’s hearty, indulgent, and surprisingly easy to prepare, making it a go-to for feeding a hungry crowd.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
1 lb ground beef
1 lb Italian sausage
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Cheese Layer:
2 cups ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
For the Pasta Layer:
12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained (or use no-boil lasagna noodles)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
To assemble the lasagna, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce, then spread one-third of the cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with a layer of meat sauce, spreading it evenly. Repeat this layering process two more times—noodles, cheese, meat sauce—until all the components are used. Finish with a final layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and the last cup of mozzarella cheese sprinkled generously over the top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for another 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the layers set and makes serving much easier.
Serve warm with garlic bread, a crisp green salad, or roasted vegetables for a full, satisfying meal.
Notes
You can use all ricotta or all cottage cheese if you prefer—either will give you a creamy layer, though ricotta has a slightly richer texture
The cream cheese and sour cream in the cheese filling add a luscious tang and extra creaminess that elevates this lasagna beyond the traditional version
For extra flavor, try adding a splash of red wine to the meat sauce as it simmers
This dish can be made a day ahead and refrigerated overnight—just increase the covered baking time by 10–15 minutes to ensure it heats through
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days and taste even better the next day