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Million Dollar Lasagna

Million Dollar Lasagna That Will Impress Your Guests

A sumptuous twist on the classic lasagna, this Million Dollar Lasagna combines creamy ricotta, savory meat sauce, and layers of cheese for a gourmet experience.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: PASTA
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb Ground Beef Can substitute with ground turkey or plant-based meat.
  • 0.5 lb Italian Sausage Can replace with turkey sausage or omit for vegetarian version.
  • 1 cup Chopped Onion Leeks or shallots can be used as substitutes.
  • 2 cloves Minced Garlic Fresh preferred, garlic powder can also be used.
  • 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes Canned diced tomatoes can work as an alternative.
  • 12 oz Tomato Paste Use more crushed tomatoes if unavailable.
  • 2 tsp Dried Basil Fresh herbs can be used, increase quantity by a third.
  • 2 tsp Dried Oregano Fresh herbs can be used, increase quantity by a third.
  • Salt Adjust to taste.
  • Pepper Adjust to taste.
For the Lasagna
  • 12 noodles Lasagna Noodles No-boil noodles can be used for convenience.
  • 15 oz Ricotta Cheese Can substitute with cream cheese or cottage cheese.
  • 1 large Egg Skip for dairy-free version or use flax egg.
  • 3 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Provolone or blend of cheeses can be used.
  • 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Nutritional yeast can be a dairy-free option.
Garnish
  • Fresh Basil or Parsley Optional, adds freshness and color before serving.

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Baking Dish
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

How to Make Million Dollar Lasagna
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures everything cooks evenly and becomes beautifully golden brown.
  2. Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions; drain and set aside. If using no-boil noodles, you can skip this step!
  3. Sauté ground beef, Italian sausage, chopped onion, and minced garlic in a large skillet until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Combine crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper into the skillet; let it simmer for 15 minutes.
  5. Mix ricotta cheese, egg, and half of the grated Parmesan in a separate bowl until creamy and well combined.
  6. Layer 1/3 of the meat sauce at the bottom of a baking dish, followed by 4 noodles.
  7. Add 1/3 of the ricotta mixture, 1/4 of the remaining meat sauce, and 1/3 of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers twice.
  8. Top with the last noodles, remaining meat sauce, and the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  9. Cover the dish with foil (sprayed to prevent sticking) and bake for 25 minutes.
  10. Uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  11. Cool for 10-15 minutes before serving, enhancing the cutting experience.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 10mg

Notes

This lasagna is perfect for gatherings and can be adapted for dietary preferences. Consider adding sautéed vegetables for extra nutrition and flavor.

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