Description
Million dollar lasagna combines rich layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and creamy cheeses for an irresistible Italian-American classic. Generous portions and bold flavors make this dish perfect for family gatherings or comforting weekend meals you’ll want to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 0.5 lb (227 g) Italian sausage
- 1 cup (240 ml) ricotta cheese
- 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) sour cream
- 3 cups (680 g) shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup mixed in, 2 cups for topping)
- 0.75 cup (75 g) grated Parmesan cheese (0.5 cup mixed in, 0.25 cup for topping)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz or 680 g) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked to al dente
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a rectangular baking dish with cooking spray to prevent adhesion.
- Meat Sauce Creation: In a large skillet, brown ground beef and Italian sausage. Add onions and garlic, creating an aromatic foundation. Introduce marinara sauce, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors thoroughly.
- Cheese Mixture Development: Combine ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream into a silky blend. Incorporate beaten egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, and seasonings. Whisk until achieving a smooth, uniform filling.
- Layering Technique: Spread a thin base of meat sauce in the baking dish. Layer lasagna noodles slightly overlapping. Distribute one-third of the cheese mixture, followed by meat sauce. Repeat the layering process twice, ensuring the top layer is meat sauce.
- Cheese Topping and Initial Baking: Sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan over the surface. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Final Baking and Browning: Remove foil to allow cheese to develop a golden, bubbling crust. Continue baking for 20 more minutes until achieving a perfect golden-brown appearance.
- Resting and Serving: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes to set layers and intensify flavors. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose high-quality ground beef and Italian sausage with moderate fat content for richer, more robust flavor and better binding of sauce.
- Cheese Blend Balance: Ensure ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream are at room temperature to create a smoother, more homogeneous cheese mixture without lumps.
- Layering Technique: Press each noodle layer gently to eliminate air pockets and ensure even cooking, preventing dry or uneven sections in the lasagna.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to intensify and making day-of preparation easier and more convenient.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg