If you love rich, cheesy, and ultra-comforting lasagna, then this Million Dollar Lasagna is the recipe you need. Layered with flavorful meat sauce, creamy ricotta mixture, and plenty of gooey cheese, this dish is hearty, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a crowd.

I love this lasagna because it’s packed with bold Italian flavors, yet it’s incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re serving it for a Sunday dinner, a holiday meal, or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit.

Let’s get into how you can make this irresistible, restaurant-quality lasagna at home!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Layers of rich, cheesy goodness – This lasagna is packed with three kinds of cheese and a creamy ricotta layer.
• Feeds a crowd – Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or leftovers.
• Make-ahead friendly – Prep it in advance and bake when ready.
• Better than restaurant lasagna – Homemade flavors make this dish truly special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

(Serves: 8-10 | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes)

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• 1 tablespoon sugar (to balance acidity)

For the Cheese Filling:

• 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 egg (for structure)

For the Layers:

• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese (for topping)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

How to Make Million Dollar Lasagna

1. Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.

2. Cook the Meat Sauce

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain excess grease.

Add the diced onion and garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Make the Cheese Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, garlic powder, parsley, and egg. Stir until smooth and well blended.

4. Cook the Lasagna Noodles

Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions, then drain and lay them flat on parchment paper to prevent sticking.

5. Assemble the Lasagna

Layering is key to making this lasagna ultra-delicious:

1. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
2. Lay 3 lasagna noodles on top.
3. Spread ⅓ of the cheese filling over the noodles.
4. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
5. Repeat layers two more times, finishing with a layer of noodles and the remaining meat sauce.
6. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

6. Bake Until Golden

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

7. Rest and Serve

Let the lasagna sit for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!

My Best Tips for the Perfect Lasagna

• Use a mix of beef and sausage – The combination gives the sauce extra depth of flavor.
• Let it rest before slicing – This prevents the layers from sliding apart.
• Make it ahead – Assemble the lasagna a day before, refrigerate, then bake when needed.
• Try different cheeses – Swap mozzarella for provolone or use pecorino Romano for extra richness.

What to Serve with Million Dollar Lasagna

This lasagna is a meal on its own, but here are a few great side dishes:

• Garlic bread – Perfect for soaking up that extra sauce.
• Caesar salad – A fresh, crunchy side balances out the richness.
• Roasted vegetables – Zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms pair beautifully.
• A glass of red wine – A bold Italian wine like Chianti or Sangiovese complements the dish.

FAQs

Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge. Bake as directed when ready.

Can I freeze this lasagna?
Absolutely! Wrap the unbaked lasagna tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for about 1 hour.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

This Million Dollar Lasagna is everything you want in a rich, hearty, and comforting Italian dish. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a special occasion, or just to have amazing leftovers, this recipe will never disappoint.

Try it out and let me know how it turns out!

Million Dollar Lasagna: The Ultimate Comfort Food for a Crowd

If you love rich, cheesy, and ultra-comforting lasagna, then this Million Dollar Lasagna is the recipe you need. Layered with flavorful meat sauce, creamy ricotta mixture, and plenty of gooey cheese, this dish is hearty, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a crowd.

By Jason GriffithPublished on March 5, 2025

Prep Time20 min

Cook Time45 min

Total Time1 hr 5 min

Servings8-10 servings

Category: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon sugar (to balance acidity)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 cups meat sauce
• 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Stir in salt, Italian seasoning, sugar, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. In a bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, egg, fresh parsley, and a pinch of salt.
5. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
6. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce, then spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
7. Top with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of meat sauce.
8. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining noodles, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese on top.
9. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top layer.
10. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
11. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

Nutrition Information

@type: NutritionInformation

Calories: 550 calories

Protein Content: 30g

Carbohydrate Content: 45g

Fat Content: 30g

Tags: lasagna, Italian, comfort food, ground beef, cheesy, baked dish

Related posts:

Cheesy Oven Potatoes: The Ultimate Comfort Food Side Dish Cajun Sausage and Garlic Butter Pasta: A Spicy, Buttery Delight Skittles Flavored Fruit Roll-Ups – A Homemade, Colorful Treat! Easter Egg Chocolate-Covered Strawberries – A Festive & Fun Treat!