Description
Creamy layers of Million Dollar Lasagna promise a luxurious Italian-inspired feast that elevates comfort food to gourmet heights. Cheese, rich meat sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles combine for a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
Dairy Ingredients:
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 lasagna noodles
Instructions
- Craft a robust meat sauce by browning ground beef and Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until thoroughly cooked and no pink remains.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic into the meat, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning into the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, developing deep flavor profiles.
- Create a luxurious cheese blend by whisking ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan, and half the mozzarella in a mixing bowl until smooth and uniform.
- Prepare the baking vessel by greasing a 9×13-inch dish and heating the oven to 375F (190C).
- Establish the lasagna’s foundation by spreading a thin layer of meat sauce across the dish’s bottom.
- Arrange the first layer of lasagna noodles, ensuring complete coverage of the sauce.
- Generously spread one-third of the cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by a hearty portion of meat sauce.
- Repeat the layering process two additional times, alternating noodles, cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
- Crown the lasagna with a final noodle layer, remaining meat sauce, and sprinkle the reserved mozzarella on top.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for 20 more minutes until the cheese melts and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
- Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes to set and enhance flavor melding before serving alongside garlic bread or a crisp salad.
Notes
- Opt for high-quality ground beef and Italian sausage to elevate the meat sauce’s rich flavor profile.
- Drain excess fat after browning meats to prevent a greasy lasagna texture.
- Experiment with fresh herbs like basil or oregano for an extra aromatic boost to the sauce.
- Mix different cheese varieties like provolone or fontina to create a more complex cheese layer.
- Use no-boil lasagna noodles to simplify preparation and reduce overall cooking time.
- Prepare the lasagna ahead of time and refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor melding.
- Swap ground meats with plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian version.
- Control sodium by using low-sodium marinara sauce and monitoring added salt.
- Freeze individual portions for convenient future meals by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 565 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg