Name: Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe - Irresistibly Creamy & Delicious
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 12 lasagna noodles; 1-1/4 lbs Italian sausage or ground beef; 1 (24-oz) jar spaghetti sauce; 2 (8-oz) cans tomato sauce; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 (24-oz) container cottage cheese; 1 (8-oz) block of cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup sour cream; 1 egg, beaten; 1 Tbsp dried parsley; 1 lb mozzarella cheese slices; 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Jump to Recipe

There’s something magical about pulling a bubbling, golden Million Dollar Lasagna from the oven – that first whiff of Italian sausage, melted mozzarella, and rich tomato sauce takes me right back to Sunday dinners at my aunt’s house. She’d always say “This isn’t just lasagna, it’s a hug in a baking dish,” and she wasn’t wrong. Between the creamy cheese layers, perfectly al dente noodles, and that meaty sauce, every bite feels like pure comfort.

What makes this Million Dollar Lasagna truly special? It’s shockingly easy to throw together (even on busy weeknights), yet impressive enough to serve at holiday gatherings. The secret’s in that luscious cream cheese mixture that takes the classic recipe to new heights. Trust me, one taste and you’ll understand exactly why we call it “million dollar” – it’s worth every penny!

Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Lasagna

This Million Dollar Lasagna isn’t just dinner – it’s an experience. Here’s why it’ll become your new favorite:

The cream cheese mixture makes it outrageously creamy (way better than plain ricotta!)
Perfect balance of tangy tomato sauce and rich Italian sausage
Feeds a crowd with minimal effort – hello, potluck superstar!
Tastes even better the next day (if there’s any left)
Freezes like a dream for stress-free future meals

Seriously, once you try this version, you’ll never go back to basic lasagna again.

Million Dollar Lasagna Ingredients

Gathering the right ingredients is what makes this Million Dollar Lasagna truly special. I’ve learned through trial and error that quality matters here – splurge on the good Italian sausage and real mozzarella if you can. Here’s everything you’ll need, grouped by component so you can prep like a pro:

For the Noodles:

12 lasagna noodles (uncooked – trust me, no-boil noodles don’t give the same texture)

For the Meat Sauce:

1-1/4 lbs Italian sausage OR ground beef (your choice – I’m team sausage for maximum flavor)
1 (24-oz) jar spaghetti sauce (my favorite is a garlic and herb variety)
2 (8-oz) cans tomato sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning

The Famous Cheese Mixture:

1 (24-oz) container cottage cheese (full-fat for creaminess)
1 (8-oz) block cream cheese, softened (don’t skip this – it’s the million dollar secret!)
1/4 cup sour cream
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp dried parsley

For the Cheesy Topping:

1 lb mozzarella cheese slices (about 16 slices)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

How to Make Million Dollar Lasagna

Okay, let’s get this Million Dollar Lasagna masterpiece going! I promise it’s easier than it looks – just follow these steps and you’ll have everyone begging for seconds.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) right away – this gives your oven time to get perfectly heated while you prep everything else.
Cook those noodles according to package directions, but here’s my trick: drain them when they’re just shy of al dente (about 1 minute less than recommended). They’ll finish cooking in the oven and won’t turn mushy.
Brown your meat in a large skillet over medium heat. If you’re using sausage, remove the casings first! Drain any excess fat – we want flavor, not grease.
Build that sauce by stirring in the spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes so the flavors can get friendly.
Make the magic cheese mix by combining cottage cheese, softened cream cheese (this is KEY), sour cream, beaten egg, and parsley in a bowl. Mix until it’s smooth and dreamy.

Layering Your Million Dollar Lasagna

Now for the fun part – assembly! Grab your 9×13 baking dish and let’s create those beautiful layers:

Start with 4 noodles (they’ll overlap slightly – that’s perfect)
Spread 1/3 of the meat sauce evenly over the noodles
Dollop 1/3 of the cheese mixture and gently spread it
Add 4-5 mozzarella slices to cover

Repeat this pattern two more times, then finish with a final layer of mozzarella slices and sprinkle that parmesan on top like edible gold dust. Pop it in the oven and get ready for magic!

Bake for 30-35 minutes until it’s bubbly around the edges and gloriously golden on top. Here’s the hardest part – let it rest 10 minutes before cutting. I know it’s tempting, but this keeps the layers from sliding apart!

Million Dollar Lasagna Tips for Success

After making this Million Dollar Lasagna more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks to make it perfect every time:

Dry those noodles! After draining, pat them gently with paper towels – this prevents watery layers.
Room temp cream cheese is non-negotiable – cold cream cheese will leave lumps in your million-dollar mixture.
Watch the browning – if the top gets too dark too fast, loosely tent with foil (I use the shiny side up).
My secret weapon? Letting it rest 15 minutes instead of 10 – those extra 5 minutes make all the difference for clean slices!

Follow these simple tips and your lasagna will be restaurant-quality every single time!

Million Dollar Lasagna Variations

The beauty of this Million Dollar Lasagna is how easily you can tweak it to suit different tastes or dietary needs – it’s like having a fancy Italian restaurant in your own kitchen! Here are my favorite twists:

Vegetarian delight: Swap the meat for sautéed mushrooms and add a layer of fresh spinach between the noodles
Gluten-free: Use your favorite GF lasagna noodles (just adjust cooking time slightly)
Extra veggie: Add thin slices of zucchini or roasted eggplant for more texture

No matter how you customize it, that million-dollar creamy cheese mixture keeps it irresistibly delicious!

Serving and Storing Million Dollar Lasagna

Oh, that magical moment when your Million Dollar Lasagna comes out of the oven all golden and bubbly! Let it rest about 10 minutes before slicing – I know it’s torture, but this lets the layers set so you get those picture-perfect squares. Serve it warm (not piping hot) with garlic bread to soak up all that delicious sauce and a crisp green salad to balance the richness.

Leftovers? Ha – as if! But if you somehow have any, store it covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap individual portions tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, cover with foil and warm at 350°F until heated through (about 30 minutes from fridge, 50 from frozen). The million dollar taste comes right back – promise!

Million Dollar Lasagna Nutrition Information

Now let’s talk numbers – but remember, these are estimates because your actual Million Dollar Lasagna nutrition will depend on the exact ingredients you use. Per generous slice (about 1/8 of the pan), you’re looking at roughly:

540 calories
32g protein (hello, muscle fuel!)
32g carbs
32g fat (16g saturated – it’s rich for a reason!)

Using leaner meats or reduced-fat cheeses will lower these numbers, but let’s be real – sometimes you just need that full million-dollar experience!

Million Dollar Lasagna FAQs

Got questions about your Million Dollar Lasagna? I’ve got answers! Here are the ones I get asked most:

Can I use ricotta instead of cottage cheese?
Absolutely! Ricotta works great in this Million Dollar Lasagna – just use the same amount. The texture will be slightly denser, but still delicious. My grandma actually preferred it this way!

How to prevent soggy lasagna?
Two tricks: 1) Pat those cooked noodles dry before layering, and 2) Don’t overdo the sauce. The Million Dollar Lasagna needs just enough moisture to stay juicy without becoming a soup.

Best way to freeze leftovers?
Cut cooled Million Dollar Lasagna into portions, wrap tightly in foil, then place in freezer bags. To reheat, bake frozen at 350°F covered for 50-60 minutes – tastes just like fresh!