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Million Dollar Lasagna

This million-dollar lasagna is the epitome of comfort food, featuring ultra-creamy layers of cheese and a hearty meat sauce that will warm your heart and satisfy your cravings.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Cheesy, Comfort Food, Easy Recipe, Homemade, Lasagna
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 600kcal

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb ground beef Use 80/20 for a juicy, rich sauce or substitute with Italian sausage.
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped Yellow or white onions for subtle sweetness.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic for the best flavor.
  • 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce Choose a robust brand with basil and garlic.
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning Dried seasoning is best; mix of basil, oregano, and thyme can be used.
  • Salt and pepper, to taste Essential for seasoning.

For the Cheese Mixture

  • 16 oz ricotta cheese Whole milk ricotta for extra creaminess.
  • 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded For the layers in the lasagna.
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Adds a salty flavor.
  • 1 whole egg Binds the cheese mixture.
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped Brightens the dish.
  • 1 tsp garlic powder For a flavor boost.
  • 1 tsp onion powder For additional flavor.

Pasta and Topping

  • 12 pieces lasagna noodles, cooked and drained Use classic or oven-ready noodles.
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded For the topping.

Instructions

Prepare the Meat Sauce

  • Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain any extra fat.
  • Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Mix in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Let simmer for 10 minutes.

Make the Cheese Mixture

  • In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, 1.5 cups mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Assemble Your Lasagna

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
  • Layer 4 noodles over the sauce, followed by a third of the ricotta mixture and a third of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat for the second and third layers, finishing with a layer of meat sauce on top.

Add the Mozzarella Topping

  • Cover everything with the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella.

Bake the Lasagna

  • Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Cool and Serve

  • Let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Letting the lasagna rest helps for beautiful slices. Adjust flavors with a splash of red wine or red pepper flakes based on preference.
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