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Million Dollar Lasagna

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Indulge in this rich and cheesy Million Dollar Lasagna featuring layers of savory meat sauce and creamy cheese, perfect for family gatherings or special occasions.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb ground beef Use lean ground beef for a healthier option
  • 1 lb Italian sausage Can use mild or spicy based on preference
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz) Using homemade marinara enhances flavor
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For the Creamy Cheese Layer
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese or cottage cheese Use your preferred cheese
  • 1 package cream cheese (8 oz), softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided Reserve 1 cup for topping
For the Pasta Layer
  • 12 pieces lasagna noodles, cooked and drained Alternatively use no-boil noodles

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
  2. Incorporate the diced onion, minced garlic, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 10-15 minutes to develop the flavors.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella. Mix until smooth.
Assembly
  1. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, start with a layer of the meat sauce, followed by lasagna noodles, and then the creamy cheese mixture. Repeat these layers until the dish is filled, finishing with a layer of meat sauce topped with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Baking
  1. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
  2. Allow the lasagna to sit for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving to help the layers set.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5g

Notes

For the best results, serve with a side salad or garlic bread. You can prepare the lasagna a day in advance and bake it right from the refrigerator; just add a few minutes to the cooking time. Experiment with different cheeses or add pepper jack for extra flavor.
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