Description
Million Dollar Italian Lasagna is a rich and indulgent take on the classic Italian dish, layered with hearty meat sauce, creamy cheese filling, and gooey melted mozzarella. It’s perfect for family dinners, holidays, or when you want to impress a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
- 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef, sausage, and garlic over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15–20 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, and Parmesan until smooth.
- Spread a small amount of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer 3 lasagna noodles, followed by a third of the cheese mixture, a third of the meat sauce, and a third of the mozzarella. Repeat layers two more times.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Make ahead and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
- Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred.
- Freezes well—wrap tightly and store up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: lasagna, Italian casserole, creamy lasagna, baked pasta, million dollar lasagna