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Delectable homemade "Million Dollar Lasagna" dish with layers of pasta, creamy cheese, and savory tomato sauce.

Million Dollar Lasagna

This ultimate lasagna recipe combines layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese for a truly indulgent and flavorful dish.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 egg s
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 9 lasagna noodles

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • mixing bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • aluminum foil
  • spatula
  • Spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and crumbled, 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  3. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, eggs, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
  6. Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  7. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, then top with 1 cup of the meat sauce.
  8. Repeat the layers of noodles, ricotta cheese, and meat sauce.
  9. Top with the remaining 3 lasagna noodles and the remaining meat sauce.
  10. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  11. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top, and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  12. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, be sure to thoroughly brown the meat and sauté the onions and garlic to develop deep, rich flavors. Letting the lasagna rest before serving allows the layers to set and the flavors to fully integrate. This recipe can be made in advance and refrigerated or frozen for later use.