Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Million Dollar Lasagna is a rich, creamy, and extra cheesy twist on classic lasagna. The combination of savory meat sauce, a velvety cheese mixture, and layers of perfectly cooked noodles makes this dish worthy of its name—it tastes like a million bucks!

This recipe is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners, holidays, or meal prep. Unlike regular lasagna, this one includes cream cheese and sour cream in the cheese mixture, creating a super creamy, luxurious texture that takes it to the next level.

✔ Packed with layers of rich meat sauce & creamy cheese
✔ Easy to make ahead & freezer-friendly
✔ Perfect for feeding a crowd
✔ Customizable with different meats, cheeses, and veggies

If you’re looking for a comforting, restaurant-quality lasagna that will have everyone asking for seconds, this is the recipe you need!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Meat Sauce:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 (24 oz) jars of marinara or spaghetti sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Cheese Filling:

  • 16 oz ricotta cheese
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (or 2 teaspoons dried parsley)

For Assembly:

  • 12–15 lasagna noodles (cooked al dente, or use oven-ready noodles)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for layering)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce

  1. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. Cook until browned and fully cooked through.
  3. Add diced onion and cook for another 3–4 minutes until softened.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the marinara sauce, and add basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
  6. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.

💡 Pro Tip: For extra depth of flavor, add a splash of red wine or a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar to the sauce!

Step 2: Mix the Creamy Cheese Filling

  1. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and parsley.
  2. Mix well until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

💡 Pro Tip: Use room temperature cream cheese to make mixing easier!

Step 3: Cook the Lasagna Noodles

  • If using regular lasagna noodles, cook them al dente according to package instructions.
  • Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
  • If using oven-ready noodles, skip this step!

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  3. Add a layer of lasagna noodles (3–4 noodles per layer).
  4. Spread ⅓ of the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
  5. Add ⅓ of the meat sauce on top of the cheese layer.
  6. Repeat the layers two more times (noodles → cheese mixture → meat sauce).
  7. Finish with a final layer of noodles topped with the remaining meat sauce.
  8. Sprinkle the top with 2 cups shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.

Step 5: Bake the Lasagna

  1. Cover the dish with foil (spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking).
  2. Bake for 25 minutes.
  3. Remove the foil and bake for another 20–25 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
  4. Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing—this helps the layers set!

💡 Pro Tip: Letting the lasagna rest makes it easier to cut into neat slices!

Variations & Customization Ideas

🌱 Vegetarian Option: Swap the meat for sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, or eggplant.

🥒 Low-Carb Version: Replace lasagna noodles with thinly sliced zucchini or eggplant.

🧀 Different Cheese Combinations: Try cottage cheese instead of ricotta or add cheeses like provolone or fontina for extra richness.

🔥 Spicy Lasagna: Use spicy Italian sausage, add diced jalapeños, or increase the red pepper flakes for heat.

🍶 White Sauce Variation: Substitute marinara with béchamel sauce for a creamy, white lasagna.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

🥶 Make Ahead:

  • Assemble the lasagna, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
  • When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as directed.

❄️ Freezing Instructions:

  • Assemble the lasagna and cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil.
  • Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • To bake from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

🍽 Reheating Leftovers:

  • Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 1–2 minutes.
  • For best results, reheat in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes until warmed through.

Pro Tips for the Best Million Dollar Lasagna

✔ Use high-quality marinara sauce – A good sauce makes all the difference!
✔ Don’t overcook the noodles – Slightly undercook them so they don’t turn mushy.
✔ Let it rest before slicing – This keeps the layers from falling apart.
✔ Use fresh herbs if possible – They add a fresh, vibrant flavor.
✔ Make extra – It tastes even better the next day!

Final Thoughts: Why This Lasagna is Worth a Million Bucks!

This Million Dollar Lasagna is not just a meal—it’s a masterpiece of layers, flavors, and textures. The rich, meaty sauce, combined with the ultra-creamy cheese filling and perfectly cooked pasta, makes every bite heavenly and comforting.

Whether you’re making this for a family dinner, a holiday gathering, or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is guaranteed to impress.

Now it’s your turn! Try this Million Dollar Lasagna and let me know how it turns out! Happy cooking! 🧀🍝❤️