Description
Million Dollar Lasagna is a rich and creamy Italian layered casserole featuring savory ground beef and Italian sausage, perfectly seasoned tomato sauce, and a luscious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. This classic comfort food is baked to golden perfection, delivering hearty flavors and a satisfying texture with every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (1 can)
- 12 ounces tomato paste (2 cans, 6 oz each)
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Lasagna and Cheese
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when your lasagna is assembled.
- Cook Noodles: In a large pot, boil the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, chopped onion, and minced garlic until the meat is fully cooked and onions are translucent. Drain excess fat to keep the sauce from being greasy.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Mix Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until well combined and creamy.
- Assemble Lasagna – First Layer: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of your baking dish. Arrange 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce evenly.
- Add Cheese and Sauce Layers: Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Follow with one-fourth of the remaining meat sauce and one-third of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process two more times: noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, and mozzarella. This builds rich, distinct layers in the lasagna.
- Top Layer: For the final layer, add the remaining noodles, spread the remaining meat sauce over them, then evenly sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking) and bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes to set before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- To prevent foil from sticking to the cheese, spray it with cooking spray before covering the dish.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with sautéed vegetables or plant-based meat alternatives and adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Lasagna noodles can be replaced with no-boil noodles for a quicker assembly.
- Letting the lasagna rest before serving helps it hold its shape when sliced.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can be added to the meat sauce for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: lasagna, Italian, baked pasta, layered casserole, ground beef, Italian sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, comfort food
