Print

Million Dollar Italian Lasagna Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 104 reviews

Million Dollar Italian Lasagna is a rich and flavorful classic Italian dish featuring layers of hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta mixture, and melty cheeses all baked to golden perfection. This satisfying main course combines ground beef, Italian sausage, aromatic herbs, and a blend of cheeses to create a luscious lasagna with a signature creamy ricotta layer that elevates the traditional recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 500 g (1 lb) ground beef
  • 250 g (½ lb) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 800 g (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Creamy Ricotta Layer

  • 425 g (15 oz) ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley

Assembly

  • 9 lasagna noodles (cooked al dente)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup provolone or fontina cheese (optional for extra richness)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted (for brushing top)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the meat sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Stir in minced garlic, ground beef, and Italian sausage. Cook the meat mixture until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and becomes aromatic.
  2. Make the creamy ricotta layer: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, sour cream or cream cheese, large egg, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Mix well until smooth and creamy. This mixture will provide the lasagna with its signature rich and luscious texture.
  3. Assemble the lasagna: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or oil. Spread a thin layer of the prepared meat sauce on the bottom of the dish. Lay down 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles, then add a third of the remaining meat sauce on top. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the layer. Repeat the layering process—noodles, ricotta mixture, sauce, cheese—until all ingredients are used. Finish with a top layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, mozzarella cheese, and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan. Brush the surface with melted butter to create a beautiful golden crust when baked.
  4. Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes covered to allow the flavors to meld and the lasagna to heat through. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes until the lasagna is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden and slightly crisp. Remove from the oven and let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with sautéed vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach to keep the hearty texture and flavor.
  • Allowing the lasagna to rest before slicing helps it maintain its structure and prevents it from falling apart when serving.
  • This lasagna can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking to save time on cooking day.

Keywords: Italian lasagna, million dollar lasagna, ricotta lasagna, baked pasta, meat lasagna, comfort food, classic Italian recipe

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/million-dollar-italian-lasagna-recipe/