Million Dollar Lasagna: Easy, Cheesy, and Full of Flavor

Byarlo Jack
Cheesy slice of Million Dollar Lasagna being lifted from a bubbling casserole dish, showing layers of noodles, meat, and melted cheese.

Imagine sinking your fork into soft noodles, creamy cheese, and rich sauce all bubbling together in perfect harmony. That’s what Million Dollar Lasagna is all about, an indulgent yet simple recipe that’s perfect for family nights, meal prep, or waffle-worthy comfort food.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey, lentils, veggie crumbles)
  • ½ lb Italian sausage (or plant-based sausage)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 Tbsp fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cups marinara sauce
  • Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste

Ingredient Swaps & Tips

  • Whole wheat noodles add fiber
  • Use ground turkey for a leaner version
  • Add veggies like spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms
  • Dairy-free option: dairy-free cheese and nutritional yeast

Quick Time Overview

StepTime
Prep30 minutes
Bake45 minutes
Rest15 minutes
Total90 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Sauce

Ground beef and sausage cooking with onions and garlic in a skillet with marinara sauce simmering.


 Heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until soft. Add meat and sausage, cook until browned. Pour in marinara sauce, stir, and simmer for 15 minutes.

2. Mix the Cheese Filling

Ricotta cheese, egg, and basil being mixed in a glass bowl for lasagna filling.


 Combine ricotta, egg, basil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix until smooth.

3. Assemble Layers (in a 9×13″ dish):

Hands layering lasagna noodles, ricotta mixture, and sauce in a baking dish.
  • Spread a bit of sauce on the bottom
  • Add 4 noodles, half the cheese mix, half the sauce, and 1 cup mozzarella
  • Repeat (noodles, cheese, sauce, cheese) once more
  • Top with remaining noodles, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan

4. Bake

Unbaked lasagna topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, ready for the oven.


 Cover with foil. Bake at 375 °F for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for 20 more minutes until golden and bubbly.

5. Let It Rest

Allow lasagna to sit 15 minutes before slicing so it holds together nicely.

 Tips & Tricks

  • Don’t overcook noodles or it gets mushy
  • To prevent dryness, use plenty of sauce between layers
  • For extra cheesiness, cover with foil halfway through baking
  • Want a crispy top? Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end, watch it closely

Make Ahead & Freezing

Meal prep containers with individual lasagna slices stored for freezing, labeled and ready to reheat.
  • Assemble ahead and refrigerate, bake next day with 10-minute extension
  • Freeze baked or unbaked (wrapped well) up to 3 months
  • Reheat: Cover with foil and bake at 350 °F for about 20 minutes, then broil to melt cheese

Nutrition Info

  • Calories: ~450
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Carbs: 40 g
  • Fat: 20 g

What to Serve With It

Plated slice of lasagna with melted cheese, served with garlic bread and Caesar salad.
  • Warm garlic bread or focaccia
  • Crisp Caesar salad or mixed greens
  • A glass of red wine, try Chianti or Merlot

Conclusion

Million Dollar Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food cheesy, hearty, and easy to make. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or special occasions, it’s a dish that always impresses. With simple steps and customizable ingredients, anyone can make it. Try it once, and it might just become your new go-to lasagna. Don’t forget to let it rest before slicing and enjoy every bite.

Million Dollar Lasagna: Easy, Cheesy, and Full of Flavor

Print Recipe
Ingredients

Ingredients
  

  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • ½ lb Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cups marinara sauce

FAQs

Yes, assemble, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.

Yes, just reduce the sauce a bit so it doesn’t get too watery.

Absolutely. Use all ground beef or a veggie substitute instead.

Yes, Replace meat with lentils, mushrooms, or veggie crumbles.

Add crushed red pepper, hot Italian sausage, or spicy marinara sauce.

Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Bake covered at 350 °F for about 15–20 minutes, then broil for cheese melt.

Yes, just use a larger baking dish and adjust layers accordingly.

Leave Your Review

Have you tried this recipe? Share your experience below. Did you add your own twist or topping? We’d love to know how it turned out.