If you’re craving a crowd-pleasing comfort food dinner that tastes like it came straight from a cozy Italian trattoria, Million Dollar Lasagna is about to become your new obsession. This creamy, decadent layered pasta dish takes classic lasagna up a notch, with a luscious blend of ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream sandwiched between savory, meaty sauce and perfectly cooked noodles. It’s rich, hearty, and absolutely deserving of its opulent title. Whether you’re feeding family, friends, or saving it all for yourself, Million Dollar Lasagna delivers every time you want a truly show-stopping meal.

Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Million Dollar Lasagna is made with a handful of staple ingredients, but each one plays a vital role in creating those irresistible layers. The meats add robust flavor, the cheeses make every bite dreamy, and the seasonings bring everything together for a truly special dish.

Lasagna noodles (12): These form the backbone of the casserole, soaking up sauce and adding satisfying texture.
Ground beef (1 pound): Lean protein that delivers big, beefy flavor to the meat sauce.
Italian sausage (½ pound): For a punch of seasoning and just a hint of spice, sausage can’t be beat.
Onion (1 small, diced): Brings a gentle sweetness that mellows as it cooks with the meat.
Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Essential for that classic Italian base — it’s all about depth and aroma.
Marinara or pasta sauce (1 jar, 24 oz): A shortcut to big tomato flavor that keeps things easy.
Tomato sauce (1 can, 15 oz): Bumps up the sauciness for perfect layering and moisture.
Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): Just the right blend of herbs to infuse every layer with tastiness.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances flavors throughout the dish — don’t skip it.
Black pepper (½ teaspoon): Adds a subtle kick and balances the richness.
Ricotta cheese (1 container, 15 oz): Creamy and mild, it’s essential for that signature lasagna texture.
Cream cheese (1 package, 8 oz, softened): The secret ingredient that transforms the filling into something swoon-worthy.
Sour cream (¼ cup): Boosts tanginess and creaminess to new heights.
Egg (1 large): Helps bind the cheese layer, making it irresistibly plush.
Mozzarella cheese (2 cups, shredded): Melts beautifully for stretchy, golden perfection on top.
Parmesan cheese (½ cup, grated): Adds salty, nutty notes and crisps up in the oven.
Fresh parsley (for garnish): A burst of color and freshness to finish things off.

How to Make Million Dollar Lasagna

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and giving your 9×13-inch baking dish a quick grease to prevent sticking. Cook the lasagna noodles according to their package directions until they’re al dente. Drain them, then gently lay each noodle flat on a clean surface; this keeps them from clumping together and makes assembly a breeze.

Step 2: Build the Meat Sauce

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion over medium heat until everything is browned and the onions are translucent. Toss in the garlic and let it cook for just about a minute so it becomes fragrant but doesn’t burn. Drain off any excess fat, then stir in the marinara, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes so the flavors meld and deepen, turning your kitchen into a little slice of Italy.

Step 3: Mix the Dreamy Cheese Layer

While the sauce simmers, grab a medium bowl and mix together the ricotta, softened cream cheese, sour cream, and egg. Stir until everything is completely smooth and creamy—this ultra-rich cheese filling is what puts the “million dollar” in Million Dollar Lasagna.

Step 4: Layer Your Lasagna

Spoon a layer of the meat sauce onto the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Lay down four noodles in a single layer, followed by a generous spread of the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan, then repeat the layers twice more: sauce, noodles, cheese, and more cheese! Finish with any remaining sauce, plus a hearty final sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan for that bubbly, golden top.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover your lasagna with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes. When it’s beautifully bubbly and golden on top, let the lasagna rest for about 10 minutes — this short wait makes for neater slices and richer flavor. Right before serving, shower with plenty of freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

How to Serve Million Dollar Lasagna

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh parsley is the classic finishing touch that brightens up every slice. If you’re feeling a little extra, a bit of fresh basil or an extra dusting of grated Parmesan will never go amiss on top of your Million Dollar Lasagna just before serving.

Side Dishes

This lasagna is rich and hearty, so pair it with a simple green salad tossed in a zingy vinaigrette or some steamed green beans to cut through the richness. Warm, crusty garlic bread is a must for soaking up every drop of sauce left on your plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve Million Dollar Lasagna at your next dinner party cut into generous squares on white plates for a restaurant-style feel, or spoon rustic slices straight from the baking dish for a cozy, family-style vibe. For potlucks, transfer portions into a pretty casserole for easy sharing, or cut into mini portions for an impressive appetizer spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Million Dollar Lasagna keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store slices in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with foil to keep everything moist and just as delicious as day one.

Freezing

This lasagna is a meal-prep superstar! You can freeze the entire unbaked or baked dish, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 months. If freezing before baking, assemble everything as usual and hold off on baking until you’re ready. If freezing leftovers, just cool completely, portion, and wrap individually for grab-and-go meals.

Reheating

To reheat, thaw frozen lasagna overnight in the fridge. Reheat single slices in the microwave for a few minutes, or cover a larger portion with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through. Add a splash of extra sauce if needed to keep things moist.

FAQs

Can I substitute cottage cheese for ricotta in Million Dollar Lasagna?

Yes! If you prefer, cottage cheese makes a great substitute for ricotta, offering a slightly different texture but still plenty of creamy flavor. Just make sure to drain excess liquid for best results.

Is it possible to make Million Dollar Lasagna vegetarian?

Absolutely. Swap the ground beef and sausage for sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or a blend of your favorite veggies. Even vegetarian Italian sausage crumbles work well in the sauce for that same robust taste.

How far ahead can I assemble the lasagna before baking?

You can assemble the Million Dollar Lasagna up to two days in advance and store it covered in the fridge. Bake it off when you’re ready to serve for fresh, melty goodness.

What’s the secret to easy, clean slices?

Patience! Letting the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes once out of the oven allows the cheesy layers to set and makes for tidy, beautiful slices every time.

Can I use no-boil noodles for this recipe?

Yes, no-boil lasagna noodles can work here. Just make sure your sauce is a bit on the saucy side, as the noodles will absorb extra liquid during baking. Check the package instructions and adjust as necessary.

Final Thoughts

If comfort food had a crown, Million Dollar Lasagna would wear it proudly. This dish brings all the decadent, cheesy, saucy, meaty flavors you crave, making even the most ordinary weeknight feel unbelievably special. If you’ve never tried a creamy lasagna like this, don’t wait — make it soon and see just how delightful homemade Million Dollar Lasagna can be!

Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 10 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich and creamy goodness of this Million Dollar Lasagna. Layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and a decadent cheese mixture come together to create a comforting and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Lasagna:

12 lasagna noodles
1 pound ground beef
½ pound Italian sausage
1 small onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Cheese Mixture:

1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese (softened)
¼ cup sour cream
1 large egg
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For Garnish:

Fresh parsley

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook lasagna noodles until al dente, then lay flat.
Cook Meat Sauce: Brown beef, sausage, onion in a skillet. Add garlic, then marinara, tomato sauce, seasonings. Simmer.
Prepare Cheese Mixture: Mix ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, and egg until smooth.
Assemble: Layer meat sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, mozzarella, Parmesan. Repeat layers, ending with cheese on top.
Bake: Cover and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake 15–20 minutes until golden.
Rest and Serve: Let lasagna sit for 10 minutes, garnish with parsley, then slice and serve.