Million Dollar Lasagna

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🍴 Million Dollar Lasagna

📖 Description

Million Dollar Lasagna is a rich, creamy, and indulgent layered pasta dish that combines traditional lasagna flavors with a luxurious twist. The “million-dollar” comes from its extra cheesy filling made with a blend of cream cheese, ricotta, and sour cream — creating a creamy layer that makes it irresistible. Perfect for family dinners, special gatherings, or when you just want comfort food that feels extra fancy.

📝 Ingredients for Million Dollar Lasagna

  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef

  • 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)

  • 1 medium onion, diced

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 jars (24 oz each) marinara or pasta sauce

  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning

  • Salt & black pepper, to taste

  • 12 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente

  • 16 oz (450g) ricotta cheese

  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened

  • 1 cup sour cream

  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)

  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded (divided)

  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

🍳 Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:

    • In a large skillet, cook ground beef, sausage, and onion until browned.

    • Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well.

    • Pour in marinara sauce, reduce heat, and let simmer for 15–20 minutes.

  2. Make the Creamy Cheese Layer:

    • In a bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup mozzarella, and ½ cup Parmesan until smooth.

  3. Assemble the Lasagna:

    • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

    • In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish:

      • Spread a thin layer of meat sauce.

      • Layer with noodles.

      • Spread a layer of the cheese mixture.

      • Add more sauce.

      • Repeat layers until ingredients are used.

      • Finish with meat sauce, then top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.

  4. Bake:

    • Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

    • Remove foil and bake another 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.

  5. Rest & Serve:

    • Let sit for 10–15 minutes before slicing.

    • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.

🥘 Notes

  • Use no-boil noodles if you want to skip pre-cooking.

  • Cream cheese must be softened at room temperature for easy mixing.

  • You can make this a day ahead; it tastes even better reheated.

💡 Tips

  • For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken sausage.

  • Add spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor.

  • Freeze unbaked lasagna for up to 3 months — bake from frozen, adding 20–30 minutes extra.

  • Use freshly grated cheese for best melting and flavor.

🍽 Servings

  • Serves 8–10 people generously.

🔢 Nutritional Info (per serving, approx. based on 10 servings)

  • Calories: 560 kcal

  • Protein: 32g

  • Carbohydrates: 34g

  • Fat: 33g

  • Fiber: 3g

  • Sodium: 1100mg

🌟 Benefits

  • High in protein – keeps you full and energized.

  • Comfort food – rich flavors perfect for family meals.

  • Make-ahead friendly – great for meal prep or entertaining.

  • Customizable – add veggies, swap meats, or make it vegetarian.

❓ Q&A

Q: Can I make Million Dollar Lasagna vegetarian?
A: Yes! Substitute the meat with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or plant-based crumbles.

Q: How do I prevent watery lasagna?
A: Make sure to simmer your meat sauce long enough so it thickens and drain excess fat from meat.

Q: Can I freeze baked lasagna?
A: Absolutely! Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until hot.

Q: What’s the difference between this and classic lasagna?
A: The cream cheese + sour cream layer adds extra richness and creaminess, making it taste “million dollar” luxurious.

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