Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe: A Rich and Indulgent Dinner
Our Ultimate Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe (You’ll Want to Make it Forever)
Are you on a quest for a lasagna recipe that is so incredibly decadent, cheesy, and bursting with flavour it tastes like a million pounds? A true showstopper of a meal that brings a hush to the table, followed only by the delightful sounds of pure satisfaction? If you have been picturing that ideal, statuesque slice of lasagna that holds its form and fulfils every promise of comforting goodness, then your search is over. We are delighted to share our definitive Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe, a dish so rich and impressive that it will undoubtedly become your cherished choice for family feasts, special occasions, and cosy evenings at home.
This is far more than a standard lasagna. This is the recipe that truly earns its name, not through its price tag, but through its invaluable taste. It boasts a unique, creamy cheese layer that melds beautifully with the hearty meat sauce and delicate pasta, creating an experience that is nothing short of memorable. Say goodbye to runny, disappointing lasagna; together, we are about to craft a culinary masterpiece.
Why You’ll Adore This Recipe
- The Signature Creamy Layer: A sumptuous mixture of ricotta, cream cheese, and parmesan creates a velvety smooth texture and profound flavour that elevates this lasagna far beyond the ordinary.
- Perfectly Structured for Slicing: We will guide you through the assembly process to ensure your lasagna maintains its shape flawlessly, yielding those clean, impressive portions every time.
- A Comfort Food Favourite: This is the epitome of comfort food. It is substantial, deeply satisfying, and a guaranteed success with both grown-ups and youngsters, making it ideal for feeding a hungry crowd.
- Make-Ahead Brilliance: We know life gets hectic, and this recipe is designed with that in mind. You can assemble it a day or two beforehand, making it a wonderfully stress-free option for a dinner party or celebratory meal.
- A Rich and Savoury Meat Sauce: Our meat sauce is gently simmered to cultivate a deep, robust flavour that provides the perfect counterbalance to the creamy cheese and pasta.
What Gives This Lasagna Its “Million Dollar” Status?
The name may sound extravagant, but the secret is wonderfully straightforward: it’s all in the layers, and one cheese layer in particular is truly exceptional. While a traditional lasagna contains a ricotta mixture, our version takes it to a whole new level of indulgence. We blend full-fat ricotta with cream cheese, sour cream, and freshly grated Parmesan. This combination yields an exceptionally creamy, subtly tangy filling that doesn’t just sit in a layer; it melts into a luscious sauce, coating every piece of pasta and meat.
This creamy filling is the very soul of the ultimate cheese lasagna. It introduces a richness that ricotta alone simply cannot provide, perfectly balancing the hearty, tomato-based meat sauce and fostering a beautiful harmony of flavours and textures in every single mouthful. It is this clever addition that makes the dish taste so spectacularly decadent and worthy of its prestigious name.
Essential Ingredients for Your Lasagna Masterpiece
To create this culinary treasure, we need to gather the finest ingredients. We have organised them by component to make your trip to the shops as smooth as possible.
For the Rich Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 500g lean beef mince
- 500g pork or Italian sausage mince
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 150ml dry red wine (like Merlot or Chianti)
- 800g crushed tomatoes (passata)
- 150g tomato purée
- 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance acidity)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Million Dollar Cheese Filling:
- 450g full-fat ricotta cheese
- 225g full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 120g sour cream
- 100g freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- A handful of fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper
For Assembly:
- 12-15 dried lasagna sheets (no-boil or fresh work well)
- 400g mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting the Perfect Layered Pasta Bake
Constructing this lasagna is a true act of culinary devotion, but each stage is wonderfully simple. Follow our guide, and we assure you the final result will be more than worth your while. This is not just a set of instructions; it is a blueprint for creating the best ever lasagna recipe that your family will request time and time again.
- Begin with the Hearty Meat Sauce: In a large, heavy-based pot or Dutch oven, warm the olive oil over a medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until aromatic. Add the beef and pork mince, using a spoon to break it apart, and cook until it is browned throughout. Carefully drain away any excess fat.
- Develop the Sauce’s Flavours: Stir in the oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot, making sure to scrape any flavourful browned bits from the bottom. Allow it to bubble for a few minutes until the wine reduces slightly. Next, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato purée, and sugar. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat, cover, and let it cook for at least one hour (or up to three for an even richer flavour). A truly superb meat sauce is the foundation, similar to a classic Beef Ragu Pasta Recipe.
- Prepare the Creamy Cheese Filling: While the sauce is simmering, you can make the cheese filling. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, grated Parmesan, the lightly beaten egg, and fresh parsley. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well-incorporated. Season with a little salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare for Assembly: Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan). If you aren’t using no-boil lasagna sheets, cook your pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the sheets and lay them out flat on a clean kitchen towel to stop them from sticking together.
- The Art of Layering: Take a 9×13 inch baking dish. Here is our guaranteed method for layering this magnificent layered pasta bake:
- Begin by spreading a thin layer of meat sauce across the bottom of the dish. This prevents the pasta from sticking.
- Arrange a single layer of lasagna sheets on top of the sauce.
- Evenly spread half of the creamy cheese filling over the pasta.
- Ladle about one-third of the remaining meat sauce over the cheese filling.
- Sprinkle over one-third of the shredded mozzarella.
- Repeat the process: Add another layer of pasta sheets, the remainder of the cheese filling, another third of the meat sauce, and a further third of the mozzarella.
- Finish it off: Place a final layer of pasta, top with the last of the meat sauce, and cover with the remaining mozzarella and an extra generous dusting of Parmesan cheese.
- Bake to Golden-Brown Perfection: Cover the baking dish with aluminium foil (it’s a good idea to lightly grease the underside to stop the cheese from sticking). Bake for 45 minutes. Afterwards, carefully remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the top is bubbling and a beautiful golden-brown colour.
- The All-Important Rest: This might be the most challenging part, but it is absolutely vital! Allow the lasagna to rest for a minimum of 20-30 minutes before you attempt to slice it. This gives the layers time to set, which is the key to getting those perfect, neat slices. As the culinary experts at Serious Eats explain, this resting period is a non-negotiable step for a well-structured lasagna.
Variations and Substitutions for Your Baked Lasagna Casserole
While we believe this recipe is flawless as written, we know that every great cook enjoys adding a personal flourish! Here are a few suggestions to make this baked lasagna casserole uniquely yours:
- Change the Meat: Using all beef mince works beautifully, or you could try a blend of ground turkey and Italian sausage for a lighter yet still flavourful result.
- Incorporate More Vegetables: Sautéed mushrooms, spinach (ensure it’s well-drained and squeezed dry), or roasted courgette can be mixed into the meat sauce or added as a separate layer for extra nutrients and taste.
- Experiment with a White Sauce: If you’re not a fan of tomato-based sauces, you could adapt this concept to create a white lasagna. Take a look at our Creamy White Lasagna Recipe for inspiration on how to make a delicious béchamel sauce that pairs wonderfully with the creamy cheese filling.
FAQ
A Dish That’s Truly Worth Its Weight in Gold
And there we have it—the secrets to crafting a genuinely magnificent, show-stopping lasagna that fully lives up to its million-dollar reputation. With its deeply savoury, slow-simmered meat sauce and that unbelievably creamy, signature cheese filling, this recipe is so much more than a meal; it’s a celebration. It’s the perfect dish to gather everyone around the dinner table, making memories one cheesy, wonderful bite at a time.
We wholeheartedly encourage you to try this Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe. Take your time, savour the process, and get ready to receive some glowing compliments. When you lift that bubbly, golden-brown dish from the oven, you’ll know you’ve made something truly special.
Have you made our recipe? We would love to hear how it went in the comments section below! And please don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family—anyone who deserves a taste of pure comfort food perfection.
Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe: A Rich and Indulgent Dinner
Experience the ultimate comfort food with our Million Dollar Lasagna. Featuring a rich meat sauce and a secret, ultra-creamy cheese layer, this dish is guaranteed to become a family favourite.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make Meat Sauce: Sauté onion in olive oil until soft. Add garlic, then brown the beef and pork mince. Drain fat. Stir in herbs, deglaze with red wine, then add tomatoes, purée, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer, covered, for at least 1 hour.
- Make Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta, softened cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, egg, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper and mix until smooth.
- Assemble: Preheat oven to 190°C (170°C fan). Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a 9×13 inch dish. Layer as follows: pasta, half the cheese filling, 1/3 meat sauce, 1/3 mozzarella. Repeat once more. Finish with a final layer of pasta, the remaining meat sauce, and the last of the mozzarella and extra Parmesan.
- Bake: Cover with greased foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Rest: Let the lasagna rest for at least 20-30 minutes before slicing and serving. This is crucial for clean slices!
Calories: 680 kcal
Protein: 35g
Carbs: 45g
Fat: 40g
