Million Dollar Lasagna

There’s something magical about a lasagna that’s rich, hearty, and layered with love. This Million Dollar Lasagna is the epitome of comfort food—a decadent, cheesy masterpiece that’s packed with savory ground beef, creamy ricotta, and a velvety marinara sauce, all nestled between tender sheets of pasta. Each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures, making it the perfect dish for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or anytime you want to treat yourself to something special.

I first made this lasagna for a dinner party, and it was an instant hit. My friends couldn’t stop raving about how flavorful it was, and one of them even said, “This tastes like it came from a five-star restaurant!” What I love most about this recipe is how it transforms simple ingredients into a dish that feels luxurious and indulgent.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving a cozy night in, this Million Dollar Lasagna is sure to impress. Let’s get cooking!

Resume

1. Decadent & Flavorful: A rich, cheesy lasagna that’s worth every bite.
2. Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe a breeze.
3. Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family dinners, holidays, and special occasions.
4. Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepared in advance and baked when ready.

Exciting Story:

Last Christmas, I made this Million Dollar Lasagna for my family, and it was an instant hit. My niece, who’s usually a picky eater, couldn’t stop eating it! Even my uncle, who claims he doesn’t like lasagna, went back for seconds. Now, it’s a staple at every holiday gathering, and my husband insists I make it for his work lunches.

Why This Million Dollar Lasagna?

This lasagna is the ultimate combination of rich, savory, and comforting flavors. The layers of ground beef, creamy ricotta, and marinara sauce are perfectly balanced, while the gooey melted cheese ties everything together. It’s easy to make, yet it looks and tastes like it came from a gourmet kitchen. Plus, its hearty nature makes it perfect or sharing—or keeping all to yourself!

What You Need For Million Dollar Lasagna:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 9 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package instructions
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make Million Dollar Lasagna:

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until softened. Stir in the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Make the Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
4. Assemble the Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Layer 3 lasagna noodles, followed by half of the ricotta mixture, a third of the mozzarella cheese, and a third of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat the layers, ending with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
6. Rest & Serve: Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

Tips For Million Dollar Lasagna:

• Use no-boil lasagna noodles for easier assembly.
• Let the lasagna rest before slicing to ensure clean cuts.
• Add a layer of spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.

Substitutions and Variations:

• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles.
• Vegetarian: Skip the ground beef and add sautéed veggies like zucchini and eggplant.
• Different Cheese: Swap mozzarella for provolone or fontina.

Make a Healthier Version:

• Use lean ground beef or ground turkey.
• Replace ricotta with cottage cheese or a low-fat alternative.
• Add extra veggies like spinach, bell peppers, or carrots.

Closing

And there you have it—Million Dollar Lasagna that’s sure to impress! Don’t forget to let us know how your dish turns out, and consider checking out some of our other comforting recipes:

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
   Yes, use 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano and basil.
2. How do I store leftovers?
   Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
3. Can I freeze this lasagna?
   Yes, freeze before baking and bake straight from the freezer, adding extra time.
4. What if I don’t have ricotta cheese?
   Use cottage cheese or a mixture of cream cheese and sour cream.
5. Can I make this ahead of time?
   Yes, assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
6. How do I prevent the noodles from drying out?
   Ensure there’s enough sauce between each layer.
7. Can I use a different type of meat?
   Yes, ground turkey, sausage, or a mix works well.
8. What’s the best way to reheat this lasagna?
   Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
9. Can I make this vegan?
   Use plant-based ground meat, dairy-free cheese, and a flax egg substitute.
10. How do I make the lasagna creamier?
    Add a layer of béchamel sauce or extra ricotta.
11. Can I add other veggies?
    Yes, stir in spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini.
12. How do I serve this lasagna?
    Serve hot with a side of garlic bread and a fresh salad.

Million Dollar Lasagna

0 from 0 votes

Recipe by Alexandra Course: All Word Recipes

Servings

4

 

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

0

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• 1 lb 1 ground beef

• 1 small 1 onion, diced

• 2 cloves 2 garlic, minced

• 1 jar 1 (24 oz) marinara sauce

• 1 can 1 (15 oz) tomato sauce

• 1 teaspoon 1 dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon 1 dried basil

• 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 container 1 (15 oz) ricotta cheese

• 1 large 1 egg

• 1/4 cup 1/4 grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 cups 2 shredded mozzarella cheese

• 9 9 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package instructions

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

• Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• Cook the Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until softened. Stir in the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer for 10 minutes.
• Make the Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
• Assemble the Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Layer 3 lasagna noodles, followed by half of the ricotta mixture, a third of the mozzarella cheese, and a third of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat the layers, ending with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
• Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
• Rest & Serve: Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

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