This Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe started as a Sunday staple in our house—my mom’s version was simple, but always rich, warm, and loaded with cheese.
Later, I added a few extra touches: Italian sausage, a little cream cheese in the filling, and mozzarella piled on top. It’s still easy, still comforting, and still one of those meals that fills the table fast.
We pair it with simple cheesy garlic chicken wraps or easy broccoli bacon salad for a full plate of cozy dinner goodness.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe Guide
Ingredients Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 package (8 oz) lasagna noodles, uncooked
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
Directions:Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe
Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe Step:
Step 1: Prepare the meat sauce
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Drain the fat, then stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer on low for 10 minutes while the flavors come together.
Step 2: Make the cheese layer
In a large bowl, mix the ricotta, cottage cheese, cream cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and eggs. Stir until creamy and smooth—it should be spreadable, not runny.
Step 3: Preheat and prep
Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to keep things from sticking.
Step 4: Layer the lasagna
Spoon a little meat sauce on the bottom of your dish. Lay dry noodles over the sauce, then spread on a thick layer of the cheese mix. Add more meat sauce. Repeat the layers until the dish is full, finishing with meat sauce on top.
Step 5: Top and bake
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Step 6: Let it rest and serve
Let your lasagna sit for 10 minutes before slicing so the layers hold together.
This lasagna goes great with our delicious lasagna baked potato recipe or a crisp cucumber ranch crack salad when you want balance on the plate.
Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe Variations
Quick Ingredient Swaps
Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe:
- No cottage cheese? Swap in all ricotta or even Greek yogurt.
- No Italian sausage? Use all ground beef or try ground turkey.
- Can’t find marinara? Use plain tomato sauce and season it yourself.
- Want less dairy? Use just one cheese layer with ricotta and skip the cream cheese.
Simple Add-Ons
Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe:
- Add spinach or mushrooms between layers for extra flavor.
- Make it spicy with red pepper flakes or spicy sausage.
- Prep and freeze unbaked just add 10 more minutes to bake time.
- Make it mini with lasagna baked potato filling for a fun twist.
- Love cheese-heavy casseroles? Try our comforting bacon onion tomato pie next.
Serving and Storing Million Dollar Lasagna
How to Serve It
Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe:
This lasagna is a full meal on its own, but we love it with something fresh and crunchy. A simple green salad, roasted green beans, or even our cucumber ranch crack salad make the plate feel complete. Want more comfort? Pair it with cheesy garlic chicken wraps for an over-the-top cozy dinner.
How to Store It
Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe:
Let the lasagna cool completely before storing. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To freeze, wrap in foil and freeze unbaked for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and add 10 extra minutes to the cook time.
For more recipes follow me in pinterest and Facebook
People Also Ask Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe
What is the secret ingredient for the best lasagna?
Cream cheese. It adds a creamy richness that binds the other cheeses together and gives the lasagna that smooth, melty texture that sets it apart. A little goes a long way.
Why is it called million dollar lasagna?
Because it tastes like it costs way more than it does. The layers of meats, cheeses, and sauce give it that luxurious feel—like a big-batch comfort meal turned gourmet.
Do Italians in Italy use ricotta in lasagna?
They do, but it varies. Traditional lasagna from Northern Italy uses béchamel sauce instead of ricotta. In the U.S., ricotta is more common—and mixing it with cottage cheese gives a softer, creamier filling.
What is my grandma’s unconventional golden rule for making legendary lasagna?
Let it rest. After baking, give your lasagna 10–15 minutes to settle. The layers hold better, the flavors deepen, and you won’t end up with a soupy slice.
Conclusion
This Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe isn’t just a comfort meal it’s the kind of dish that makes people lean back, sigh, and ask for seconds. It’s cheesy, meaty, and layered with care.
Whether you’re making it for Sunday dinner or freezing it for a future weeknight win, it’s a recipe that shows up, fills up, and brings people together. Just how my mom did.
Print
Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe That’s Creamy, Cheesy & Hearty
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Description
The best million dollar lasagna recipe layered with rich meat sauce, three cheeses, and a creamy twist. Comfort food done right.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 lb Italian sausage
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 package (8 oz) lasagna noodles, uncooked
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup cottage cheese
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and sausage until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Stir in marinara, tomato sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Simmer 10 minutes.
3. In a bowl, mix ricotta, cottage cheese, cream cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and eggs until smooth.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in dish. Add noodles, then cheese mixture, then sauce. Repeat layers.
6. Top with remaining mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15–20 more minutes.
7. Let lasagna rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Let it rest before slicing—it holds together better and tastes richer.
To make ahead, assemble but don’t bake. Cover tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: best million dollar lasagna recipe, cheesy lasagna, comfort food, pasta casserole
