Go Back
Delicious Million Dollar Lasagna layered with cheese and rich sauce

Million Dollar Lasagna

Rich, creamy, and loaded with layers of flavor, this Million Dollar Lasagna lives up to its name. It combines savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta and cream cheese filling, and gooey melted mozzarella for a decadent baked pasta dish that’s perfect for family dinners or special gatherings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Meat Sauce:
  • 1 lb 450 g ground beef
  • ½ lb 225 g Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 jar 24 oz / 680 g marinara sauce or tomato pasta sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • For the Creamy Cheese Layer:
  • 8 oz 225 g cream cheese, softened
  • 1½ cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 egg
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • For the Layers:
  • 9 –12 lasagna noodles cooked and drained
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • Large skillet or saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large pot (for boiling lasagna noodles)
  • Spatula or spoon
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven:
  2. Set to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  3. Make the meat sauce:
  4. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, sausage, and onion until browned.
  5. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
  6. Drain excess fat, then stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  7. Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
  8. Prepare the creamy cheese mixture:
  9. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, egg, garlic powder, and parsley until smooth.
  10. Assemble the lasagna:
  11. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the dish.
  12. Add a layer of cooked noodles.
  13. Spread half of the cheese mixture over the noodles.
  14. Add another layer of meat sauce, then sprinkle with mozzarella.
  15. Repeat layers until ingredients are used up, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.
  16. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the final layer.
  17. Bake:
  18. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  19. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
  20. Rest and serve:
  21. Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing for neat layers.

Notes

For extra flavor, add crushed red pepper or fresh basil to the sauce.
You can substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred.
Freezer-friendly: assemble and freeze unbaked lasagna for up to 3 months.
Great served with garlic bread and a fresh Caesar salad.