If you’re looking for the kind of meal that makes everyone at the table go wow, then you’ve just found it. This Million Dollar Lasagna is no ordinary lasagna—it’s rich, cheesy, and packed with layers of flavor that taste like they came straight from an Italian grandmother’s kitchen. But the best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make!

This dish is a perfect balance of creamy, meaty, and cheesy goodness, thanks to a blend of ricotta and cream cheese in the filling, a hearty homemade-style meat sauce, and plenty of gooey mozzarella. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to gather the whole family, and savor every bite.

Whether you’re making this for a special occasion, meal prepping for the week, or just treating yourself to the ultimate comfort food, this lasagna will never disappoint. So, let’s get started!

Making the Meat Sauce: The Heart of the Dish

A great lasagna starts with a rich, flavorful meat sauce, and this one is packed with savory goodness. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients for the Meat Sauce:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (24 oz) jar of marinara sauce (or homemade)
• 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

Instructions:

1️⃣ Brown the Meat: In a large skillet or pot, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. As the meat browns, break it up with a spoon and stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. Once fully cooked, drain any excess grease to avoid a greasy sauce.

2️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the meat mixture and cook until soft and translucent—about 3–4 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

3️⃣ Build the Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes, then season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. If you prefer a slightly sweeter sauce, stir in a tablespoon of sugar to help balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

4️⃣ Simmer for Flavor: Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step allows the flavors to blend beautifully, creating a thick and hearty sauce that will soak into every layer of your lasagna.

Making the Creamy Cheese Mixture

Now, let’s talk about the secret ingredient that takes this lasagna to the next level—cream cheese. While most traditional lasagnas use just ricotta, adding a bit of softened cream cheese makes the filling extra smooth and creamy. Trust me, once you try it this way, you’ll never go back!

Ingredients for the Cheese Mixture:

• 16 oz ricotta cheese
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)

Instructions:

1️⃣ Mix the Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and egg. Stir everything together until smooth and well blended.

2️⃣ Add the Mozzarella: Stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese—this helps bind the mixture together and makes every bite extra cheesy.

3️⃣ Season with Parsley: Toss in the chopped fresh parsley (or dried, if that’s what you have on hand). This little touch adds a hint of freshness to balance all the richness.

At this point, you should have two essential components ready—your rich, meaty sauce and your creamy cheese filling. Next up? Assembling and baking this masterpiece!

But first, let’s preheat the oven.

Preheat the Oven

• Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Assembling the Million Dollar Lasagna

This step is super simple, but layering the ingredients properly is key to getting that perfect slice where every bite is packed with flavor. Here’s how to do it:

Ingredients for the Layers:

• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package instructions
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (extra for layering)
• Extra parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1️⃣ Start with a Layer of Sauce
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of your greased 9×13-inch baking dish. This helps prevent the noodles from sticking and adds a flavorful base.

2️⃣ Lay Down the Noodles
Place 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping them. If your noodles are too short, you can trim them or lay them slightly crisscrossed to fit.

3️⃣ Add the Creamy Cheese Mixture
Spread a generous layer of the ricotta-cream cheese mixture over the noodles. Use a spatula to evenly spread it across the entire layer.

4️⃣ More Meat Sauce
Spoon another layer of the meat sauce over the cheese mixture, spreading it evenly to cover all the noodles.

5️⃣ Sprinkle Mozzarella Cheese
Add a handful of shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce for that gooey, melty goodness.

6️⃣ Repeat the Layers
Continue layering in the same order:

• Noodles
• Cheese mixture
• Meat sauce
• Mozzarella cheese

Repeat until all the ingredients are used up, finishing with a final layer of meat sauce and a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella on top.

Baking the Lasagna

At this point, your lasagna is looking incredible, but we’re not done yet! Now, it’s time to bake it to golden, bubbly perfection.

Instructions:

1️⃣ Cover with Foil and Bake

• Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from browning too quickly.
• Bake in the preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 25 minutes.

2️⃣ Remove Foil and Continue Baking

• After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

3️⃣ Let it Rest

• Once baked, let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set and prevents everything from sliding apart when you serve it.

4️⃣ Garnish and Serve

• Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness.
• Slice, serve, and enjoy the most rich and indulgent lasagna ever!

Pro Tips for the Best Lasagna

• Don’t skip the resting time! – Letting the lasagna sit for 10–15 minutes makes slicing much easier and ensures each layer stays intact.
• Make it ahead of time! – You can assemble the lasagna a day in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just add an extra 10–15 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
• Use quality ingredients! – A great marinara sauce, fresh herbs, and high-quality cheese will take this lasagna to the next level
• Freeze leftovers for later! – This lasagna freezes beautifully. Store leftovers in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Just reheat in the oven or microwave when you’re ready to enjoy it again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?

Absolutely! This lasagna is perfect for making in advance. You can assemble it a day ahead, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it. When ready to bake, just add an extra 10–15 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold from the fridge.

2. Can I freeze Million Dollar Lasagna?

Yes! You can freeze it before or after baking:

• Before baking: Assemble the lasagna, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.
• After baking: Let the lasagna cool completely, then slice it into portions and store in airtight containers. Reheat in the oven or microwave as needed.

3. Do I have to use cream cheese in the cheese mixture?

No, but I highly recommend it! The cream cheese makes the filling extra creamy and rich. If you prefer, you can stick to the classic ricotta and Parmesan mixture, but trust me—once you try it with cream cheese, you’ll never go back!

4. What’s the best way to reheat leftover lasagna?

For the best results, reheat leftover lasagna in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying out. If you’re short on time, you can microwave it, but add a splash of water and cover it with a damp paper towel to keep it moist.

5. Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles?

Yes, but I recommend sticking with regular boiled noodles for the best texture. If you use no-boil noodles, be sure to add a little extra sauce so they can absorb enough moisture while baking.

6. Can I substitute the Italian sausage with something else?

Of course! If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use all ground beef instead of a mix of beef and sausage. You could also swap in ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.

7. How do I keep my lasagna from being too watery?

A watery lasagna usually happens when there’s too much liquid in the sauce or the ricotta mixture. To prevent this:

• Simmer the meat sauce until it thickens slightly.
• Drain excess moisture from the ricotta cheese before mixing.
• Let the lasagna rest for at least 10–15 minutes after baking to help it set.

Conclusion: Why This Lasagna is Worth Every Bite

There’s a reason why this is called Million Dollar Lasagna—it tastes like a million bucks but is easy enough for anyone to make! Every bite is loaded with layers of savory meat sauce, creamy cheese filling, and perfectly baked noodles, making it the ultimate comfort food.

Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting a dinner party, or meal prepping for the week, this dish is guaranteed to impress. Plus, the leftovers are just as good (if not better) the next day!

Enjoy your Million Dollar Lasagna!

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