Go Back
A close-up shot of a delicious, cheesy slice of Million Dollar Lasagna, perfect for a comforting and indulgent meal.

Perfect Million Dollar Lasagna

This lasagna recipe is the culmination of experiments, designed for home cooks seeking restaurant-quality results. It emphasizes the importance of balanced moisture, flavorful sauce, and the perfect cheese blend for a truly transcendent lasagna experience.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef 80/20 blend
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 pound dry lasagna noodles or no-boil lasagna noodles
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Large bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • aluminum foil
  • Spoon
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • Colander (if using traditional noodles)

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
  2. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and parsley. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, salt, and nutmeg. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
  5. While the sauce is simmering, cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. If using no-boil noodles, set aside.
  6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  7. Layer noodles over the sauce, overlapping as needed to cover the bottom of the dish. If using no-boil noodles, ensure the sauce generously coats the noodles to allow them to soften during baking.
  8. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  9. Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the mozzarella cheese.
  10. Repeat layers: noodles, remaining ricotta cheese mixture, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, remaining meat sauce.
  11. Top with the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese.
  12. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the lasagna is heated through.
  13. Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the layers to set and prevents it from falling apart.

Notes

For best results, use high-quality canned tomatoes and full-fat ricotta cheese. Simmering the meat sauce for a longer time will deepen the flavor. The lasagna can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. When reheating, cover with foil to prevent the cheese from burning.