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Million Dollar Italian Lasagna

Mouthwatering Million Dollar Italian Lasagna for Family Comfort

Enjoy the Million Dollar Italian Lasagna, a family-friendly favorite with rich layers of meat sauce and creamy ricotta.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Use extra virgin for enhanced taste
  • 1 medium Onion Chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Can substitute with ground turkey or chicken
  • 1 pound Italian Sausage Mild or hot based on preference
  • 28 ounces Crushed Tomatoes Or use fresh tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Basil Or use fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
For the Cheese Filling
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese Or use cottage cheese
  • 1 cup Sour Cream Or cream cheese
  • 1 large Egg Flaxseed meal can substitute
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated
For Layering and Topping
  • 12 ounces Lasagna Noodles Or gluten-free noodles
  • 4 cups Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Parsley For garnish
  • 2 tablespoons Butter For brushing

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or butter.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, pour in olive oil and add chopped onion, sautéing until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  3. Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet, cooking until browned, approximately 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, sour cream, egg, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley until smooth.
  6. In the greased baking dish, spread half of the meat sauce, followed by half of the lasagna noodles, half of the ricotta mixture, and a sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat layers, ending with meat sauce and mozzarella on top.
  7. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  8. Let the lasagna rest for about 15 minutes before slicing to set the layers.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For best results, drain excess grease, cook noodles al dente, and let lasagna rest before serving. Can be paired with a Caesar salad or homemade Tiramisu for dessert.

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