Description
This Million Dollar Italian Lasagna is a rich and hearty classic Italian-American dish featuring layers of savory meat sauce, creamy cheese blends, and perfectly cooked lasagna noodles, baked to golden bubbly perfection. It’s an indulgent, crowd-pleasing casserole perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Cheese Mixture
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
Other
- 9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Cook the Meat and Aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, chopped onion, and minced garlic until the meat is thoroughly browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess fat to keep the sauce from being greasy.
- Make the Meat Sauce: Add marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and sugar to the skillet with the meat. Stir well and let it simmer for 15 minutes to meld flavors and thicken slightly.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and the egg. Stir until smooth and well incorporated. This will add creamy layers to your lasagna.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, then spread a layer of the cheese mixture, followed by a generous layer of shredded mozzarella. Repeat these layers twice more, finishing with a final layer of meat sauce topped with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the assembled lasagna with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the noodles to cook through completely.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes after baking to set, making it easier to slice. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a fresh burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- Use no-boil noodles for a quicker assembly but adjust baking time accordingly.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture to avoid a greasy lasagna.
- Letting the lasagna rest before serving helps it set and makes slicing easier.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice touch of freshness and color as garnish.
- Feel free to substitute part-skim cheeses to reduce fat if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: lasagna, Italian, baked pasta, ground beef, Italian sausage, cheese, marinara, dinner, comfort food
