Million Dollar Italian Lasagna: Discover How to Make It!

Million Dollar Italian Lasagna: A Hearty Family Favorite

Ah, Million Dollar Italian Lasagna! Whenever I make this dish, I can’t help but feel like a culinary rockstar. Not only is it a showstopper at family gatherings, but it also never fails to impress friends during cozy dinner parties. What makes it truly special is its rich layers of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, all tucked neatly between perfectly cooked lasagna noodles. This dish embodies the warmth of Italian home cooking, making it perfect for celebrations, rainy days, or just when you crave something hearty.

Why You’ll Love Making It

What sets this lasagna apart from every other recipe out there? It’s the perfect blend of ingredients that come together to create a meal so rich and flavorful that your guests will surely be begging for seconds (and thirds!). Here are a few reasons to try this dish:

• Quick and Easy: While the cooking process may seem lengthy, the prep work is straightforward. You can serve a comforting meal without spending all day in the kitchen!
• Family-Friendly: Lasagna has a way of bringing everyone to the table. Kids love the cheesy goodness, and adults appreciate the layered flavors.
• Cost-Effective: Pulling together staple ingredients—like ground beef, sausage, and ricotta—means you’ll get a delicious meal without breaking the bank.

"This lasagna is an absolute game changer! My family couldn’t get enough of it—I even had to promise them I’d make it again next week!" — A satisfied home cook

Preparing Million Dollar Italian Lasagna: Discover How to Make It!

Now that you’ve got a taste of what makes this lasagna so special, let’s dive into how to prepare it. Here’s a step-by-step overview to set your expectations:

1. Prepare a flavorful meat sauce that simmers beautifully, filling your kitchen with aromatic goodness.
2. Create a creamy ricotta layer that adds a luxurious texture.
3. Layer the noodles with all your delicious fillings and top it off with cheese.
4. Finish with a golden-brown crust baked to perfection.

Gather Your Ingredients

To create this masterpiece, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 500 g (1 lb) ground beef
• 250 g (½ lb) Italian sausage (mild or spicy based on preference)
• 800 g (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 425 g (15 oz) ricotta cheese
• ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 9 lasagna noodles (cooked al dente)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup provolone or fontina cheese (optional for extra richness)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan for topping
• 2 tbsp butter, melted (for brushing the top)

Note: For a healthier version, you can substitute ground turkey for beef and use low-fat cheese.

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Step-by-Step Directions

Now, let’s get cooking! Follow these steps to prepare your Billion Dollar Italian Lasagna:

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes). Next, stir in garlic, followed by ground beef and sausage. Cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Add Tomatoes: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer this gorgeous mixture on low heat for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened and aromatic.
3. Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, mix ricotta, sour cream, egg, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Blend until smooth and creamy. This will add a delightful richness to your lasagna.
4. Assemble the Lasagna: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Lay down 3 noodles and spread half of the ricotta mixture on top. Follow with ⅓ of the meat sauce and a sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with noodles, sauce, mozzarella, and the remaining Parmesan. Brush the top with melted butter for an enticing golden crust.
5. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing—this helps the layers stay intact!

Tips for Serving Million Dollar Italian Lasagna

Wondering how to elevate your lasagna experience? Here are some serving suggestions:

• Serve with Garlic Bread: A side of warm, buttery garlic bread perfectly complements the rich flavors of the lasagna.
• Pair with a Fresh Salad: A simple green salad or a Caesar salad can help balance the richness and give your meal some freshness.
• Wine Pairing: Consider a medium-bodied red wine, such as Chianti or Merlot, which pairs wonderfully with the savory meat sauce.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you have leftovers (though I doubt you will!), here’s how to store your Million Dollar Italian Lasagna:

• Refrigerate: Cool completely before covering with foil or plastic wrap. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze baked lasagna for up to 3 months. Just ensure it’s well-wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil.
• Reheat: Reheat in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 20-25 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions for quick meals.

Pro Chef Tips

• Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses to find your personal favorite. Adding a mix of cheeses like Gouda or Gruyère can add a unique flavor.
• Make Ahead: You can prepare the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate it before baking to enhance the flavors.
• Make it Spicy: If you like a kick, consider using spicy Italian sausage or adding crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.

Creative Twists

Looking to shake things up? Here are a few ways to add your unique twist to the classic recipe:

• Vegetarian Option: Substitute ground meat with layers of sautéed spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or any of your favorite veggies.
• Add Fresh Herbs: Topping the finished lasagna with fresh basil or oregano will give it a bright finish.
• Pasta Variations: Try using different pasta shapes, like rotini or whole wheat noodles, for a fun twist!

Your Questions Answered

How long does it take to prepare this lasagna?

Preparation takes about 30 minutes, while cooking time is roughly 1 hour. Total time is around 1.5 hours.

Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble it a day in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.

What are some good substitutions for ingredients?

You can replace ricotta with cottage cheese, swap ground beef for turkey, or skip the sausage entirely for a meatless version.

Don’t wait – bring this delightful taste of Italy to your dinner table tonight!

Million Dollar Italian Lasagna

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• Total Time: 90 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Diet: Meat

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Description

A hearty Italian lasagna layered with savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, perfect for family gatherings and cozy dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 500 g ground beef
• 250 g Italian sausage
• 800 g crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 425 g ricotta cheese
• ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 9 lasagna noodles (cooked al dente)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup provolone or fontina cheese (optional)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan for topping
• 2 tbsp butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes).
3. Stir in garlic, followed by ground beef and sausage. Cook until browned, then drain excess fat.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20–25 minutes.
5. In a separate bowl, mix ricotta, sour cream, egg, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley until smooth.
6. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
7. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom, layer down 3 noodles, half of the ricotta mixture, ⅓ of the meat sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat layers and finish with noodles, sauce, mozzarella, and remaining Parmesan. Brush top with melted butter.
8. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
9. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Serve with garlic bread and a salad for a complete meal. Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: lasagna, Italian, comfort food, family meal, cheese