Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe

Introduction

Million Dollar Lasagna is a rich, comforting classic that brings layers of cheesy goodness and savory meat sauce together in one delicious dish. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this lasagna delivers a satisfying meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

• Lasagna noodles
• Meat sauce
• Ricotta cheese
• Mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a baking dish, start with a layer of meat sauce, followed by a layer of noodles. Spread a layer of ricotta cheese over the noodles, then sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese on top.
3. Step 3: Repeat the layering process—meat sauce, noodles, ricotta, and mozzarella—until all ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of mozzarella cheese.
4. Step 4: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
5. Step 5: Let the lasagna rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving to allow the layers to set.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add chopped fresh basil or oregano to the ricotta mixture.
• Use no-boil noodles to save time and skip the pre-cooking step.
• Swap the meat sauce for a vegetable marinara for a vegetarian option.
• Mix some Parmesan cheese into the ricotta for added richness.

Storage

Store leftover lasagna covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave or bake covered at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. You can also freeze the lasagna before baking or after cooking; thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Million Dollar Lasagna ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the lasagna a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to bake. This allows the flavors to meld and can make mealtime easier.

Do I need to cook the noodles before layering?

If you use traditional lasagna noodles, it’s best to cook them until al dente to ensure a tender result. However, no-boil noodles can be used to simplify the process.

Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 102 reviews

Million Dollar Lasagna is a comforting and hearty Italian-American classic dish featuring layers of tender lasagna noodles, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella. This baked casserole is perfect for family dinners or special occasions, delivering rich flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Lasagna Noodles

• 12 lasagna noodles

Meat Sauce

• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 2 cups marinara or tomato pasta sauce
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cheese Mixture

• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, laying them flat to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté chopped onion and minced garlic in a bit of olive oil until translucent. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
3. Mix Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, egg, and chopped parsley. Mix until smooth and well combined.
4. Assemble Lasagna: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer 4 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread one-third of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles followed by one-third of the meat sauce. Repeat layering two more times ending with meat sauce on top. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer.
5. Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
6. Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

Notes

• To save time, use no-boil lasagna noodles instead of traditional ones by increasing baking time slightly and adding extra sauce.
• Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for different flavor profiles.
• For a vegetarian version, swap meat sauce for a hearty vegetable marinara or mushroom sauce.
• Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave and often taste even better the next day.
• Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce can give a slight spicy kick.

Keywords: lasagna, Italian recipe, baked pasta, meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, comfort food