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Million Dollar Italian Lasagna

Million Dollar Italian Lasagna

Discover the indulgent Million Dollar Italian Lasagna, a customizable comfort food masterpiece perfect for gatherings.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Resting Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Richness and depth of flavor
  • 1 pound Mild Italian Sausage Adds classic Italian flavor
  • 1 medium Onion Finely chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic Minced for best flavor
  • 28 ounces San Marzano Tomatoes Delivers rich sweetness
  • 15 ounces Crushed Tomatoes Adds texture
  • 2 tablespoons Sugar Balances acidity
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper For extra spice
For the Ricotta Layer
  • 16 ounces Whole Milk Ricotta Creamy texture
  • 1 large Egg Binds the mixture
  • ½ cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Umami flavor
  • 1 bunch Parsley Chopped for freshness
For the Layering
  • 12 ounces Lasagna Noodles Oven-ready or fresh
  • 4 cups Freshly Shredded Mozzarella Melts beautifully
  • 1 bunch Fresh Basil Optional garnish

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • Mixing Bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large pot

Method
 

Prepare the Meat Sauce
  1. In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, browning for 5–7 minutes until cooked. Stir in chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for an additional 3–4 minutes. Incorporate San Marzano tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let simmer for 30 minutes.
Mix the Ricotta Layer
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, beaten egg, Parmesan, and chopped parsley. Mix until creamy, adjusting texture with milk if necessary.
Prepare the Noodles
  1. If using traditional noodles, boil salted water and cook noodles according to package directions until just shy of al dente. Drain thoroughly and lay flat. Skip this step if using oven-ready noodles.
Layer the Lasagna
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased baking dish, layer meat sauce, noodles, half of the ricotta mixture, and sprinkle mozzarella. Repeat layers and finish with meat sauce and mozzarella.
Bake
  1. Cover lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Rest
  1. Let the lasagna rest for 20–25 minutes before serving, allowing layers to set.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Use fresh and high-quality ingredients for the best flavors. Consider assembling the lasagna a day ahead to enhance flavors.

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