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Million Dollar Lasagna

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Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Million Dollar Lasagna—a rich, creamy, and ultra-cheesy twist on the classic Italian favorite! This decadent dish features layers of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta and cream cheese filling, gooey mozzarella, and perfectly cooked lasagna noodles. The secret ingredient—cream cheese—adds an irresistible creaminess that takes this lasagna to the next level.

Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, special occasions, or even freezing for later, this recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve it with garlic bread, a crisp Caesar salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal that everyone will love. One bite, and you’ll see why it’s called Million Dollar Lasagna! 💰✨

Ingredients

Scale

For the meat sauce:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the cheese filling:

  • 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Other ingredients:

  • 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned. Drain any excess grease. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.

In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder until well combined.

Spread a small amount of meat sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Place 3 lasagna noodles on top. Spread a layer of the cheese mixture, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, ending with meat sauce and mozzarella cheese on top.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy.

 

Notes

  • Make-Ahead Option: Assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate before baking. If freezing, wrap tightly and store for up to 3 months.
  • No-Boil Noodles: If using oven-ready noodles, add extra sauce and let the lasagna sit for 30 minutes before baking to ensure they soften properly.
  • Preventing a Watery Lasagna: Drain the ground beef thoroughly and let the sauce simmer to reduce excess liquid. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes after baking to help it hold its shape.
  • Customizations: Swap out the ground beef for Italian sausage, ground turkey, or meatless crumbles for different variations. For a low-carb option, use zucchini or eggplant slices instead of noodles.
  • Serving Suggestions: Pair with homemade garlic bread, a side salad, or roasted veggies for a well-balanced meal.

Find it online: https://claradelish.com/million-dollar-lasagna/