Here’s a rich, hearty, and utterly indulgent Million Dollar Italian Lasagna recipe — so named because it tastes like a million bucks! Layers of creamy cheeses, savory meat sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles come together in a classic Italian-American comfort dish the whole family will love.
🇮🇹 Million Dollar Italian Lasagna
🕒 Prep Time: 30 minutes
⏱️ Cook Time: 1 hour
⏳ Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 8–10
🧀 Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
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1 lb ground beef
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1/2 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
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1 small onion, diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
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1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
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2 tablespoons tomato paste
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
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Salt & black pepper, to taste
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1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
For the Cheese Layer (“Million Dollar Mix”):
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1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
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1 cup sour cream or ricotta
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1 large egg
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2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
Other:
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9–12 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
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1/2 cup additional mozzarella + Parmesan for topping
🍳 Instructions:
1. Prepare the Meat Sauce
In a large skillet, brown the beef and sausage with onion over medium heat. Drain grease. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes.
2. Cook Lasagna Noodles
If using regular noodles, cook according to package instructions. Drain and lay flat on parchment paper or lightly oiled foil.
3. Make the Cheese Mixture
In a bowl, beat together cream cheese, sour cream or ricotta, Parmesan, egg, 1 cup mozzarella, and parsley until creamy and well combined.
4. Assemble the Lasagna
In a 9×13 inch baking dish:
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Spread 1/2 cup meat sauce on the bottom
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Layer 3–4 noodles
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Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture
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Add 1/3 of the meat sauce
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Sprinkle with some mozzarella
Repeat layers (noodles → cheese → sauce → mozzarella) two more times, ending with meat sauce and topping with mozzarella and Parmesan.
5. Bake
Cover with foil (sprayed with nonstick spray so it doesn’t stick). Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
6. Rest & Serve
Let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley if desired.
🍷 Serve With:
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Garlic bread or focaccia
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Caesar salad or caprese salad
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A glass of red wine like Chianti or Cabernet
Want a vegetarian version, a make-ahead freezer method, or a cottage cheese swap option? I’ve got you covered!