Million Dollar Italian Lasagna

⭐ Million Dollar Italian Lasagna

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Rich, cheesy, and irresistibly creamy — one bite and you’ll understand why it’s called Million Dollar! ❤️

Classic Italian lasagna is already a comfort-food favorite, but this version takes it to the next level. With three kinds of cheese, a hearty meat sauce made from beef and Italian sausage, and a golden bubbly top, this lasagna melts in your mouth. Perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or weekend cooking.

🕒 Time

Prep: 30 minutes

Cook: 1 hour

Total: 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings: 10

🧀 Ingredients

For the 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

For the Cheese Layer

1 ½ cups ricotta cheese

1 cup cottage cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg

3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Other Ingredients

9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

🍽️ Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

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

    2. Make the Meat Sauce

      In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, and garlic until browned.
      Drain excess grease.
      Add marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and sugar.
      Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened and flavorful.

      3. Prepare the Cheese Mixture

        In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, and the egg.
        Mix until smooth and creamy.

        4. Layer the Lasagna

          Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
          Then layer in this order:

          1. Lasagna noodles

          2. Cheese mixture

          3. Mozzarella

          4. Meat sauce

            Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used.
            Finish with meat sauce + mozzarella on top.

            5. Bake

              Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
              Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

              6. Rest and Serve

                Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
                This helps it set and makes for clean, beautiful layers.
                Garnish with fresh parsley.

                💡 Pro Tip

                Make it the night before and refrigerate it.
                The flavors deepen overnight, and it slices perfectly the next day.

                🍷 Serving Ideas

                Garlic bread

                Caesar salad

                Roasted vegetables

                Iced tea or lemonade

                ⭐ Why It’s Called “Million Dollar”

                Ultra-creamy from three cheeses

                Rich, hearty double-meat sauce

                Beautiful layers and restaurant-quality taste

                Perfect for feeding a crowd

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