Million Dollar Lasagna A classic Italian-American dish, this Million Dollar Lasagna is a rich, satisfying, and flavorful casserole made with layers of ground beef, Italian sausage, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for family gatherings, special occasions, or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1 lb Italian sausage
– 1 small onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 cups marinara sauce
– 1 cup ricotta cheese
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 egg, beaten
– 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
– 8-10 lasagna noodles
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned, breaking into small pieces as it cooks.
4. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.
5. Stir in marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let sauce simmer while you prepare the cheese mixture.
6. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
7. Spread a layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange 4 lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
8. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
9. Repeat the layers: meat sauce, noodles, ricotta cheese mixture, and mozzarella cheese.
10. Top the final layer of mozzarella cheese with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
11. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
12. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips and Variations:
– To make the lasagna more substantial, add some chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the meat sauce.
– Use low-fat ricotta cheese and part-skim mozzarella cheese to make the lasagna a bit healthier.
– Add some dried basil or oregano to the ricotta cheese mixture for extra flavor.
– Use gluten-free lasagna noodles to make the dish gluten-free.
Enjoy your delicious Million Dollar Lasagna!