This **Million Dollar Lasagna** recipe is a crowd-pleaser, packed with rich flavors and creamy textures. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the recipe, including ingredients, construction, variations, and tips to ensure your lasagna turns out perfectly every time.
### **Ingredients**
#### **For the Meat Sauce:**
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1 lb Italian sausage
– 1 medium onion, diced
– 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 (24 oz) jars of marinara or spaghetti sauce
– 1 tsp dried basil
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
– Salt and pepper, to taste
#### **For the Cheese Mixture:**
– 16 oz ricotta cheese
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– 1 cup sour cream
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 large egg
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tsp dried)
#### **For Assembly:**
– 12–15 lasagna noodles (cooked al dente or use oven-ready noodles)
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (additional for layering)
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
### **Construction**
#### **1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:**
– Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion until browned and fully cooked.
– Add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
– Stir in marinara sauce, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
#### **2. Mix the Cheese Filling:**
– In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, and parsley. Mix until smooth and creamy.
#### **3. Layer the Lasagna:**
– Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
– In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
– Add a layer of lasagna noodles (3–4 noodles).
– Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture over the noodles.
– Add 1/3 of the meat sauce.
– Repeat layers (noodles, cheese mixture, meat sauce) two more times, ending with a final layer of noodles topped with meat sauce.
– Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan over the top.
#### **4. Bake the Lasagna:**
– Cover the dish with foil (to prevent sticking, spray foil with cooking spray).
– Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
– Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
### **Variations**
1. **Vegetarian Option:** Replace the meat with sautéed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, or eggplant.
2. **Low-Carb Version:** Use thinly sliced zucchini or eggplant instead of lasagna noodles.
3. **Different Cheeses:** Substitute ricotta with cottage cheese, or add extra cheeses like provolone or fontina for a richer flavor.
4. **Spicy Lasagna:** Add diced jalapeños or more crushed red pepper to the sauce for a spicy kick.
5. **White Sauce Variation:** Use a béchamel sauce instead of marinara for a creamy twist.
### **Tips**
– **Make Ahead:** Assemble the lasagna a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.
– **Freezing:** Freeze assembled (uncooked) lasagna for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
– **Even Layers:** Spread each layer evenly for a clean-cut lasagna slice.
– **Cooking Noodles:** If not using oven-ready noodles, slightly undercook regular noodles since they’ll continue to cook in the oven.
– **Extra Flavor:** Add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to the meat sauce for depth.
Enjoy your **Million Dollar Lasagna**! It’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress with a hearty, comforting dish.