Description
Million Dollar Lasagna is a hearty, comforting Italian-American casserole featuring layers of tender lasagna noodles, savory Italian sausage simmered in a rich tomato sauce, and a creamy cheese mixture of cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and mozzarella. Finished with a golden, bubbly top of melted cheeses and baked to perfection, this recipe serves 10 and makes a perfect family meal or gathering centerpiece.
Ingredients
Scale
Lasagna Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1¼ lbs Italian sausage or ground beef
- 1 (24-oz) jar spaghetti sauce
- 2 (8-oz) cans tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Cheese Mixture
- 1 (24-oz) container cottage cheese
- 1 (8-oz) block cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 Tbsp dried parsley
Toppings
- 1 lb mozzarella cheese slices
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the lasagna thoroughly and evenly.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly, preventing them from sticking together.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage or ground beef. Drain excess fat, then stir in the spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning. Simmer gently over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens, then remove from heat.
- Mix Cheese Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, beaten egg, and dried parsley. Stir thoroughly until smooth and well blended. Set this mixture aside.
- Layer Lasagna – Base: Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly over the bottom of the pan. Lay 6 lasagna noodles lengthwise and overlapping to form a base layer over the sauce.
- Layer Cheese and Sauce: Spread half of the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with one-third of the mozzarella slices. Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the cheese layer and sprinkle with ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process starting with the remaining 6 lasagna noodles, followed by the remaining cottage cheese filling, meat sauce, parmesan cheese, and finishing with the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top. Cover the pan tightly with foil to trap moisture.
- Bake Covered: Place the covered lasagna in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cook through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 30 minutes until the lasagna is bubbling and the cheese on top is melted and golden.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the lasagna stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before cutting and serving to allow it to set, making it easier to slice and enhancing the flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef for Italian sausage if preferred.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps it hold together better when sliced.
- For a lower fat version, use part-skim cheese and lean ground meat.
- Fresh herbs like basil or oregano can be added for extra flavor.
- Covering the lasagna while baking prevents it from drying out.
