This **Million Dollar Lasagna** recipe is a crowd-pleaser, packed with rich flavors and creamy textures. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the recipe, including ingredients, construction, variations, and tips to ensure your lasagna turns out perfectly every time.
### **Ingredients**
#### **For the Meat Sauce:**
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1 lb Italian sausage
– 1 medium onion, diced
– 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 (24 oz) jars of marinara or spaghetti sauce
– 1 tsp dried basil
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
– Salt and pepper, to taste
#### **For the Cheese Mixture:**
– 16 oz ricotta cheese
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– 1 cup sour cream
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 large egg
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tsp dried)
#### **For Assembly:**
– 12–15 lasagna noodles (cooked al dente or use oven-ready noodles)
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (additional for layering)
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
### **Construction**
#### **1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:**
– Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion until browned and fully cooked.
– Add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
– Stir in marinara sauce, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
#### **2. Mix the Cheese Filling:**
– In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, and parsley. Mix until smooth and creamy.
#### **3. Layer the Lasagna:**
– Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
– In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
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