There’s something magical about a bubbling, cheesy, perfectly layered lasagna fresh out of the oven. It’s hearty, satisfying, and packed with bold, comforting flavors that bring everyone to the table. But this isn’t just any lasagna—this is Million Dollar Lasagna. Why the name? Because every bite tastes rich, indulgent, and absolutely irresistible.

This recipe is all about layers—flavorful meat sauce, a creamy cheese mixture, and perfectly cooked noodles all baked together until golden and bubbly. Whether you’re making it for a special gathering, a cozy family dinner, or meal prepping for the week, this lasagna is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Let’s dive into what makes this lasagna so special and how to make it step by step!

What Makes This Lasagna So Good?

A classic lasagna is already a comfort food favorite, but this version takes things up a notch with a few game-changing ingredients:

A Rich, Flavorful Meat Sauce – A combination of ground beef and Italian sausage gives the sauce depth and richness. Simmering it with marinara, crushed tomatoes, and Italian seasoning brings out even more flavor.
A Decadent Cheese Mixture – This isn’t just ricotta! The addition of cream cheese and Parmesan creates a smooth, creamy, and slightly tangy filling that melts perfectly between the layers.
Perfectly Balanced Layers – With every bite, you get a little bit of everything—savory meat sauce, velvety cheese, and tender noodles all working together in harmony.

Now, let’s get started with the first steps: making the rich, hearty meat sauce and preparing the cheese mixture.

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce

The foundation of any great lasagna starts with a well-seasoned, deeply flavorful sauce. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients for the Meat Sauce:

1 pound (450g) ground beef
1 pound (450g) Italian sausage
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

Instructions:

Brown the Meat: In a large skillet or pot, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Stir occasionally, breaking the meat into crumbles.
Drain the Grease: Once the meat is fully cooked, drain any excess grease to prevent the sauce from being too oily.
Add Garlic and Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about a minute until fragrant.
Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes. Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Stir everything together and let it simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

While the sauce is simmering, let’s move on to the creamy, dreamy cheese mixture.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Mixture

This step is what sets this lasagna apart. The combination of ricotta, cream cheese, and Parmesan creates a luxuriously smooth and slightly tangy cheese filling that adds an extra layer of indulgence.

Ingredients for the Cheese Mixture:

16 oz (450g) ricotta cheese
8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)

Instructions:

Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and parsley. Stir everything together until smooth and well incorporated.
Add the Mozzarella: Stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, reserving the rest for layering later.

At this point, you have the two essential components of the lasagna ready—the rich meat sauce and the creamy cheese mixture. Now, it’s time to preheat the oven and start assembling this masterpiece.

Step 3: Preheat the Oven

Before you start layering, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make serving easier.

Step 4: Assemble the Million Dollar Lasagna

Now comes the fun part—assembling the lasagna! This step is where all those delicious layers come together to create the ultimate cheesy, hearty dish. A well-layered lasagna ensures that every bite is perfectly balanced, so take your time and follow these simple steps.

Ingredients for Layering:

12 lasagna noodles, cooked
2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese (in addition to the cheese mixture)
Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Spread a Base Layer of Meat Sauce: Start by spooning a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of your greased 9×13-inch baking dish. This prevents the noodles from sticking and keeps the layers moist.
Add the First Layer of Noodles: Place 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping them. This forms the foundation of your layers.
Spread the Cheese Mixture: Take a generous portion of the ricotta-cream cheese mixture and spread it evenly over the noodles. Use a spoon or spatula to ensure full coverage.
Add Another Layer of Meat Sauce: Spoon another layer of the meat sauce on top of the cheese mixture, spreading it evenly.
Sprinkle with Mozzarella Cheese: Add a handful of shredded mozzarella over the meat sauce.
Repeat the Layers: Continue layering in the same order—noodles, cheese mixture, meat sauce, shredded mozzarella—until all the ingredients are used up. You should end with a final layer of meat sauce and shredded mozzarella on top.

Now that your lasagna is perfectly layered, it’s time to bake it to golden perfection.

Step 5: Bake the Lasagna

Instructions:

Cover with Foil: To keep the moisture in and prevent the cheese from burning too quickly, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Bake for 25 Minutes: Place the covered lasagna in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the Foil and Continue Baking: After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let it Rest: Once baked, let the lasagna sit for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This step is crucial because it allows the layers to set, making it easier to cut and serve without falling apart.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once the lasagna has rested, it’s time to dig in! Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and extra flavor. Serve warm with a side of garlic bread, a fresh salad, or even a drizzle of extra marinara sauce for those who love it extra saucy.

At this point, your kitchen will be filled with the incredible aroma of bubbling cheese and rich, savory sauce. It’s hard to resist diving in right away, but trust us—waiting those extra minutes for it to set is worth it!

Million Dollar Lasagna