Name: 🍽️ Million Dollar Italian Lasagna
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot); 1 large onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 red bell pepper, chopped (optional for richer flavor); 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes; 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce; 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste; 1 tbsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp dried basil; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper; 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity); 2 cups cottage cheese or ricotta; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 cup sour cream; 2 cups shredded mozzarella; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 egg; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp dried parsley; 12–15 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready); 3 cups shredded mozzarella (for layering and topping); ½ cup grated Parmesan (for topping); Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meat Sauce:

1 lb ground beef
1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot)
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped (optional for richer flavor)
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

For the Million Dollar Cheese Layer:

2 cups cottage cheese or ricotta
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded mozzarella
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried parsley

Other Ingredients:

12–15 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
3 cups shredded mozzarella (for layering and topping)
½ cup grated Parmesan (for topping)
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce

In a large skillet or pot, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess grease. Add diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper; sauté until softened and fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar. Lower heat and let simmer gently for at least 15–20 minutes, or up to an hour for deeper flavor.

Step 2: Make the Million Dollar Cheese Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine cottage/ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley. Mix until smooth and creamy. This luscious mixture is what gives your lasagna its “million dollar” richness.

Step 3: Cook the Lasagna Noodles

If not using oven-ready noodles, boil lasagna sheets in salted water until just al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and lay noodles flat to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna

In a large baking dish, add a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Add your first layer of noodles. Spread a generous layer of the creamy cheese mixture. Add another layer of meat sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella. Repeat until ingredients are used, ending with a final layer of meat sauce topped with mozzarella and Parmesan.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover the baking dish with foil (nonstick side down). Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing—this helps it set beautifully.

Notes

Allowing the lasagna to rest before cutting is crucial. It prevents the layers from sliding apart and ensures perfect, picture-worthy slices. Also, slow-simmering the sauce enhances the overall flavor dramatically.