Ah, “Million Dollar Lasagna”! That’s usually a rich, creamy, decadent twist on traditional lasagna, often loaded with extra cheese, cream, or a flavorful meat sauce—basically, a lasagna that feels luxurious enough to cost “a million dollars.”
Here’s a classic style recipe:
Ingredients (serves 8–10)
For the meat sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (24-oz) jars marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt & pepper to taste
For the creamy cheese layer:
- 16 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
Other layers:
- 12–15 lasagna noodles (regular or no-boil)
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- 375°F (190°C).
- Make the meat sauce:
- In a large skillet, cook beef, sausage, and onion until browned.
- Add garlic, cook 1 more minute.
- Stir in marinara sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10–15 minutes.
- Make the creamy cheese mixture:
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, sour cream, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt until smooth.
- Assemble the lasagna:
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer noodles over the sauce.
- Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture over noodles.
- Sprinkle 1/3 of mozzarella and a bit of Parmesan.
- Repeat layers 2 more times, ending with sauce and remaining cheese on top.
- Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing—this helps it hold together.
💡 Tips for “Million Dollar” flavor:
- Use a mix of cheeses: provolone, fontina, or smoked mozzarella for extra depth.
- Add a splash of cream to the meat sauce for richness.
- Finish with fresh basil or parsley for a gourmet touch.
If you want, I can also give you a shortcut, ultra-rich version that uses cream cheese and a little white wine—it literally tastes like a million bucks and takes under an hour.
Do you want that version too?
