Okay, let’s talk comfort food. Like, serious, soul-hugging, make-you-want-to-curl-up-on-the-couch comfort food. And for me, nothing, absolutely nothing, beats a truly amazing lasagna. But not just any lasagna, oh no. We’re talking about the kind of lasagna that makes you close your eyes and sigh with pure happiness. That’s where this Million Dollar Lasagna comes in! It’s rich, it’s cheesy, it’s packed with flavor, and honestly, it feels like a million bucks on your plate. I remember the first time I made this – the smell filling the kitchen was just incredible, and that first bite? Game changer! It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or just when you need a little culinary hug. Trust me, this recipe is going to become a favorite in your house.
Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Lasagna
Okay, so why *this* Million Dollar Lasagna? Because it’s not just any old pasta bake, trust me! Here’s the deal:
- It’s got layers upon layers of pure deliciousness – we’re talking rich meat sauce AND tons of cheese!
- That combination of ground beef and Italian sausage? It gives the sauce such incredible depth.
- It’s surprisingly easy to put together, even though it looks super fancy.
- It’s the ultimate make-ahead meal. Seriously, it’s even better the next day!
- It feeds a crowd and makes everyone feel special.
Basically, it’s everything you want in a comfort food classic, taken up a notch!
Essential Ingredients for Your Million Dollar Lasagna
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Making this Million Dollar Lasagna is all about starting with the right stuff. Here’s everything you’ll need to make this magic happen:
- For the glorious meat sauce: You’ll want 1 pound of good quality ground beef and 1 pound of Italian sausage (I like a mix of sweet and spicy!). We’ll also need 1 large onion, nicely chopped, and about 3 cloves of garlic, minced up. Then, the tomato base: 2 (28 ounce) cans of crushed tomatoes, 2 (15 ounce) cans of tomato sauce, and 1 (6 ounce) can of tomato paste for that deep flavor. And a little secret weapon: 1/2 cup of red wine! Plus, dried herbs: 2 tablespoons each of dried basil and dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
- For the cheesy layers and noodles: You’ll need 1 pound of lasagna noodles (the regular kind you boil!). For the creamy ricotta layer, grab a 15 ounce container of ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, and 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped. And for that million dollar cheese pull? 4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Yum!
See? Simple, delicious ingredients that come together for something truly special!
Equipment Needed for Million Dollar Lasagna
You don’t need a fancy kitchen to make this Million Dollar Lasagna, just a few basics! You’ll definitely want a really big pot or Dutch oven for that amazing meat sauce. A large pot for boiling the noodles is a must too. And of course, you’ll need your trusty 9×13 inch baking dish – the star of the show! Plus, a medium bowl for mixing the ricotta layer, and maybe a spatula and a big spoon for stirring. Easy peasy!
How to Prepare Million Dollar Lasagna: Step-by-Step Guide
Okay, let’s get cooking! Making this Million Dollar Lasagna might seem like a lot of steps, but I promise, it’s totally doable and so rewarding. Follow along, and you’ll have a masterpiece on your hands!
First things first, let’s get that incredible meat sauce going. Grab your biggest pot or Dutch oven and pop it over medium heat. Toss in your ground beef and Italian sausage. Brown it up nicely, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Once it’s all browned, drain off all that extra fat. We want flavor, not grease!
Now, add your chopped onion and minced garlic to the same pot. Cook them until they’re nice and soft and smelling amazing – usually just a few minutes. Don’t let the garlic burn!
Time for the tomato goodness! Pour in your crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and that little can of tomato paste. Stir in the red wine (ooh la la!), basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir to mix everything together. Bring this glorious sauce to a gentle simmer. This is where the magic happens! Let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring it every now and then so it doesn’t stick. The longer it simmers, the deeper the flavor, honestly. If you have more time, let it go for an hour or even longer!
While the sauce is doing its thing, get your lasagna noodles ready. Cook them according to the package directions. Make sure you cook them al dente – they’ll finish cooking in the oven. Drain them and lay them out on parchment paper or wax paper so they don’t stick together in a big noodle clump. Trust me on this one!
In a medium bowl, let’s make our creamy ricotta layer. Combine the ricotta cheese, that large egg (it helps bind it!), and the fresh chopped parsley. Give it a good stir until it’s all mixed up and looks lovely and green-flecked.
Now, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (that’s 190 degrees C). Get your 9×13 inch baking dish ready. Lightly grease it – a little cooking spray or butter works great.
Time to assemble! This is the fun part, like building a delicious brick wall. Start with a thin layer of your meat sauce on the very bottom of the dish. This helps prevent the noodles from sticking.
Next, lay down a single layer of your cooked lasagna noodles. Try to make them fit nicely, breaking them if you need to. No judgment here!
Spread about half of your ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles. Then, sprinkle about one-third of your shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.
Repeat those layers: more meat sauce, another layer of noodles, the rest of the ricotta mixture, and another third of the mozzarella.
For the final layer, top with noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and then sprinkle the rest of that glorious mozzarella and all the grated Parmesan cheese right on top. Make it look pretty!
Cover the dish tightly with foil. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. This steams the noodles and helps everything heat through.
After 25 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Now, bake it for another 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is all bubbly and starting to turn golden brown. Oh, the smell!
The hardest part: letting it rest! Take the lasagna out of the oven and let it stand for 10-15 minutes before you slice into it. This lets everything settle and makes it so much easier to cut clean pieces. Plus, it’s piping hot!
And there you have it – your very own Million Dollar Lasagna, ready to be devoured!
Expert Tips for Perfect Million Dollar Lasagna
Okay, you’ve got the steps, but here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up that make this Million Dollar Lasagna truly next level:
- Don’t skimp on simmering the sauce! That longer cook time is key for deep flavor.
- Lay those cooked noodles flat while you’re assembling. It makes layering so much easier and keeps them from sticking together.
- Get that foil on nice and tight for the first bake – it helps the noodles cook through evenly.
- Letting it rest after baking is SO important for getting nice, clean slices. Seriously, resist cutting into it right away!
- Don’t be afraid to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce if you like a little heat!
Follow these, and you’ll have lasagna perfection!
Variations and Serving Suggestions for Your Million Dollar Lasagna
While this Million Dollar Lasagna is pretty perfect as is (if I do say so myself!), you can totally play around with it! Want more veggies? Sauté some mushrooms or spinach and stir them into the meat sauce. You could even swap the beef and sausage for ground turkey or add some cooked Italian-style meatballs. If you’re feeling fancy, try adding a layer of thinly sliced provolone cheese for extra gooeyness!
As for serving, honestly, this lasagna is a meal in itself! But it’s fantastic with a simple green salad tossed with vinaigrette. A side of garlic bread or crusty Italian bread is also a must for soaking up any extra sauce. Sometimes, I’ll even serve it with some roasted broccoli or a simple caprese salad on the side. Enjoy!
Storing and Reheating Million Dollar Lasagna
One of the best things about this Million Dollar Lasagna? The leftovers are incredible! Let any leftover lasagna cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil. It’ll keep happily in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, pop individual portions in the microwave, or cover the dish loosely with foil and warm it in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. It tastes just as good as the first time!
Frequently Asked Questions About Million Dollar Lasagna
Got a few questions buzzing around about making this Million Dollar Lasagna? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are some common things people ask:
Q: Can I make the meat sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely, yes! Making the meat sauce a day or two ahead is a fantastic idea. It actually lets the flavors meld even more, making your baked pasta even better. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble.
Q: Do I have to boil the lasagna noodles?
This recipe calls for boiling them, which is how Grandma always did it! But if you’re short on time, you can definitely use no-boil lasagna noodles. Just follow the package directions for assembly and baking times, as they can be a little different.
Q: Why is it called “Million Dollar” Lasagna?
Honestly? Because it tastes like a million bucks! It’s just so rich, decadent, and satisfying with all those layers of meaty sauce and cheese. It feels like a really special, indulgent meal.
Q: Can I freeze Million Dollar Lasagna?
Yes! Lasagna freezes really well. You can freeze it baked or unbaked. If freezing unbaked, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. To bake from frozen, add extra baking time and bake covered until heated through, then uncover to brown the cheese.
Estimated Nutritional Information for Million Dollar Lasagna
Okay, so while we’re focused on pure deliciousness here, sometimes it’s helpful to have an idea of what’s in a serving. Based on the ingredients and recipe, I’ve put together some estimated nutritional info for this Million Dollar Lasagna. Just a quick note: these are *estimates*! Things like the specific brands you use, how much sauce ends up in your serving, and even the leanness of the ground beef can change the actual numbers. So, take this as a general guide, not a strict rule!
Print
Million Dollar Lasagna: get a 4-day happy meal
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A rich and decadent lasagna with multiple layers of cheese and meat sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound lasagna noodles
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and cook until softened.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, red wine, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and fresh parsley.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
- Layer with a single layer of cooked lasagna noodles.
- Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle with one-third of the mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers: meat sauce, noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, and another third of the mozzarella cheese.
- Top with a final layer of noodles, remaining meat sauce, and the rest of the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and browned.
- Let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can make the meat sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer.
- For a spicier lasagna, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- You can use no-boil lasagna noodles if you prefer. Follow package directions for assembly and baking time.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: lasagna, million dollar lasagna, baked pasta, Italian food, comfort food