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
- Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. Cook until browned and fully cooked through.
- Add diced onion and cook for another 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce, and add basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- 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
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and parsley.
- 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
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add a layer of lasagna noodles (3–4 noodles per layer).
- Spread ⅓ of the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
- Add ⅓ of the meat sauce on top of the cheese layer.
- Repeat the layers two more times (noodles → cheese mixture → meat sauce).
- Finish with a final layer of noodles topped with the remaining meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the top with 2 cups shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Bake the Lasagna
- Cover the dish with foil (spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking).
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 20–25 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- 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.