This Million Dollar Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food—layer after layer of rich, meaty sauce, creamy cheese filling, and perfectly cooked pasta, all baked to bubbly, golden perfection. The secret? A luscious mix of ricotta, cream cheese, and mozzarella that makes every bite taste like a million bucks! Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or impressing guests with a seriously delicious homemade lasagna.
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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap "Jump to Recipe" at the top of the page.
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Why You'll Love this Lasagna
If you love classic lasagna but want to take it to the next level, Million Dollar Lasagna is a must-try! This version is extra rich, extra creamy, and packed with layers of flavor thanks to a secret blend of ricotta, cream cheese, and mozzarella. It’s the perfect balance of hearty, cheesy, and downright comforting.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, meal prepping for the week, or making something special for guests, this lasagna is guaranteed to impress. One bite, and you’ll know why it’s called “Million Dollar” Lasagna!
Ingredients
*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Ground beef – Adds hearty, meaty flavor and texture to the sauce. Use lean beef for less grease.
- Ground Italian sausage – Brings extra depth and a touch of spice to the meat sauce. Use mild or hot, depending on your preference.
- Chopped onion – Enhances the sauce with a subtle sweetness and savory depth.
- Minced garlic – Adds bold, aromatic flavor to the sauce—because every great lasagna needs garlic!
- Pre-made marinara sauce – A quick and flavorful base for the sauce. Choose your favorite brand or use homemade.
- Crushed tomatoes – Helps create a rich, thick, and chunky sauce with extra tomato goodness.
- Sugar – Balances the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the overall flavor.
- Italian seasoning – A perfect blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme to give the sauce classic Italian flavors.
- Salt & pepper – Essential for seasoning the sauce and bringing all the flavors together.
- Ricotta cheese – A creamy, slightly tangy cheese that makes the filling rich and luscious.
- Whipped cream cheese – The secret ingredient that makes the cheese filling extra creamy and indulgent.
- Shredded mozzarella – Adds gooey, melty goodness to every bite of lasagna.
- Shredded Parmesan – Brings a sharp, nutty flavor that elevates the dish.
- Dried parsley – Adds a pop of color and a hint of fresh, herby flavor.
- Egg – Helps bind the cheese mixture together for a creamy yet structured filling.
- Oven-ready lasagna noodles – No boiling needed! These make assembling the lasagna quick and easy.
How to Make Million Dollar Lasagna
[Step 1] Meat Sauce: Cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute. Add the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
[Step 2] Cheese Mixture: Mix together the ricotta cheese, whipped cream cheese, Parmesan, egg, and dried parsley. Stir in two cups of shredded mozzarella.
[Step 3] Lasagna Assembly: Spread a thin layer of sauce over the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Place 3 lasagna noodle over the sauce. Spread a layer of the cheese over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce. Top with a handful of mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers (noodles, cheese mixture, meat sauce, mozzarella) until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of meat sauce and mozzarella.
[Step 4] Bake the Lasagna: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting into slices and serving
Tips & Tricks
- Use a mix of meats – Combining ground beef and Italian sausage adds extra flavor and depth to the sauce.
- Drain excess grease – After browning the meat, drain any excess grease to prevent a greasy lasagna.
- Season generously – Taste your sauce as it simmers and adjust the seasoning for the perfect balance of flavors.
- Let the sauce simmer – Allowing it to cook for at least 15-20 minutes helps develop a rich, deep flavor.
- Whip the cheese mixture – Blending the ricotta, cream cheese, and egg until smooth ensures a creamy, even layer.
- Layer strategically – Start with sauce on the bottom, followed by noodles, cheese, and repeat for the best texture and flavor balance.
- Don’t overdo the noodles – Use just enough to separate the layers without overpowering the rich fillings.
- Cover while baking – Tent foil over the dish for the first half of baking to prevent the cheese from over-browning.
- Let it rest before slicing – Allow the lasagna to sit for 10-15 minutes after baking so it holds its shape when cut.
- Make it ahead – Assemble the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate overnight for even better flavor!
- Freeze for later – This lasagna freezes beautifully—just wrap it tightly and bake from frozen when needed.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
To store leftover lasagna, let it cool completely before covering it tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerating for up to 4 days. For longer storage, wrap individual slices or the whole dish in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, microwave individual slices for 1-2 minutes or bake in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, for about 20-25 minutes until heated through. If frozen, bake at 375°F for 45-60 minutes. Enjoy that cheesy, saucy goodness all over again!
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Million Dollar Lasagna
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1 Pound Italian Sausage
- 1 Onion diced
- 3 Teaspoons Garlic minced
- 24 Ounces Marinara Sauce store bought or homemad
- 14 Ounces Crushed Tomatoes
- 1 Tablespoon Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 16 Ounces Ricotta Cheese
- 8 Ounces Whipped Cream Cheese
- 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 Egg
- 2 Cups Mozzarella shredded
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley
Lasagna Layers
- 1 Box Oven Ready Lasagna Noodles
- 2 Cups Mozzarella shredded
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
Meat Sauce
- Cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Add the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cheese Mixture
- Mix together the ricotta cheese, whipped cream cheese, Parmesan, egg, and dried parsley. Stir in two cups of shredded mozzarella.
Lasagna Assembly
- Spread a thin layer of sauce over the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.
- Place 3 lasagna noodle over the sauce.
- Spread a layer of the cheese over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce. Top with a handful of mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers (noodles, cheese mixture, meat sauce, mozzarella) until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of meat sauce and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting into slices and serving
Notes
- Use a mix of meats – Combining ground beef and Italian sausage adds extra flavor and depth to the sauce.
- Drain excess grease – After browning the meat, drain any excess grease to prevent a greasy lasagna.
- Season generously – Taste your sauce as it simmers and adjust the seasoning for the perfect balance of flavors.
- Let the sauce simmer – Allowing it to cook for at least 15-20 minutes helps develop a rich, deep flavor.
- Whip the cheese mixture – Blending the ricotta, cream cheese, and egg until smooth ensures a creamy, even layer.
- Layer strategically – Start with sauce on the bottom, followed by noodles, cheese, and repeat for the best texture and flavor balance.
- Don’t overdo the noodles – Use just enough to separate the layers without overpowering the rich fillings.
- Cover while baking – Tent foil over the dish for the first half of baking to prevent the cheese from over-browning.
- Let it rest before slicing – Allow the lasagna to sit for 10-15 minutes after baking so it holds its shape when cut.
- Make it ahead – Assemble the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate overnight for even better flavor!
- Freeze for later – This lasagna freezes beautifully—just wrap it tightly and bake from frozen when needed.
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