Million Dollar Lasagna: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

If you love classic Italian lasagna, then you’re going to be obsessed with Million Dollar Lasagna! This dish gets its name because it’s so rich, creamy, cheesy, and flavorful—it tastes like a million bucks! With layers of perfectly seasoned meat sauce, velvety cheese filling, and gooey melted cheese, this recipe is a show-stopper for family dinners, gatherings, or special occasions.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to make the ultimate Million Dollar Lasagna, including a secret creamy layer that makes it extra indulgent!

🛒 Ingredients for Million Dollar Lasagna

For the Meat Sauce:

✔ 1 lb ground beef
✔ ½ lb Italian sausage (adds incredible flavor)
✔ 1 small onion, finely chopped
✔ 3 cloves garlic, minced
✔ 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or homemade)
✔ 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
✔ 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
✔ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
✔ ½ teaspoon salt
✔ ½ teaspoon black pepper
✔ 1 teaspoon sugar (balances acidity)
✔ ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

For the Million Dollar Cheese Layer:

✔ 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
✔ 1 cup ricotta cheese
✔ 1 cup cottage cheese
✔ 1 egg
✔ ¼ cup sour cream
✔ ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
✔ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
✔ ½ teaspoon black pepper
✔ 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

For Assembling the Lasagna:

✔ 12 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
✔ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
✔ ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce

1️⃣ Brown the Meat:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon.
Cook until browned, then drain excess grease.

2️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics:

Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet.
Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and onions are soft.

3️⃣ Simmer the Sauce:

Stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Cook the Lasagna Noodles

✅ Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
✅ Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions, but 1-2 minutes less than usual (they will continue cooking in the oven).
✅ Drain and lay them flat on parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Make the Million Dollar Cheese Layer

1️⃣ In a large mixing bowl, beat together:
✔ Cream cheese (softened)
✔ Ricotta cheese
✔ Cottage cheese
✔ Egg
✔ Sour cream
✔ Parmesan cheese
✔ Garlic powder, black pepper, and parsley

2️⃣ Mix until smooth and well combined. This layer is the secret to making the lasagna extra creamy and rich!

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