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Million Dollar Lasagna

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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

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

Find it online: https://dailyfamilymeals.com/million-dollar-lasagna/