Description
Million dollar lasagna emerges as a culinary masterpiece that blends rich layers of pasta, savory meats, and creamy cheeses. Comfort meets luxury in this indulgent dish you’ll crave from first bite to last satisfying forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pound Italian sausage
Cheese and Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 0.25 cup sour cream
- 1 egg
Pasta and Sauce:
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure smooth food release.
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions, then carefully drain and set aside for layering.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature, sautéing onions and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet, browning the meat thoroughly and draining any excess fat to prevent greasiness.
- Incorporate marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, allowing it to simmer for 5 minutes to develop rich flavors.
- Create a creamy cheese mixture by combining cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, egg, and half of the Parmesan cheese until smooth and well-blended.
- Establish the first layer in the baking dish with a thin spread of meat sauce, followed by a strategic arrangement of noodles, cheese mixture, and mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layering process, ensuring even distribution of ingredients throughout the lasagna.
- Crown the lasagna with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a golden, appetizing topping.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the top turns golden and the edges become bubbly.
Notes
- Swap cottage cheese with ricotta for a more traditional Italian texture and richer flavor profile.
- Use lean ground beef or turkey to reduce overall fat content without compromising taste.
- Let lasagna rest 15-20 minutes after baking to help layers set and make cutting easier without falling apart.
- Prepare meat sauce a day ahead to enhance flavor depth and allow spices to meld together completely.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 635 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg