You can prepare the lasagna up to Step 7 and then refrigerate or freeze it for later use.
When baking after refrigeration, you may need to increase the baking time by a few minutes. For baking after freezing, make sure to thaw the lasagna completely before baking as directed above. To reheat from frozen, thaw fully, cover with aluminum foil, and bake at 350ºF for 30 to 40 minutes until heated through.
Ground turkey or turkey sausage can be used as a substitute for the sausage or beef. You can also use shredded mozzarella cheese instead of slices.
Million Dollar Lasagna
Million Dollar Lasagna is a rich, ultra-creamy take on the classic dish, layered with savory meat sauce, velvety cheese filling, and tender pasta for a comfort meal that feels indulgent and satisfying. Bursting with flavor and fully customizable, it’s perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or anytime you want to enjoy a slice of pure comfort.
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1¼ pounds Italian sausage or ground beef
- 1 24-ounce jar of spaghetti sauce
- 2 8-ounce cans of tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 24-ounce container of cottage cheese
- 1 8-ounce block of cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese slices
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage or ground beef until fully cooked. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes until slightly thickened, then remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, beaten egg, and dried parsley. Mix until smooth and well blended, then set aside.
- Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly across the bottom of the dish. Place 6 lasagna noodles on top, overlapping slightly to cover the surface.
- Spread half of the cheese mixture over the noodles. Layer with one-third of the mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the cheese and sprinkle with ¼ cup of grated parmesan.
- Repeat the layers starting with the remaining 6 noodles, followed by the rest of the cheese mixture, another third of the mozzarella, the remaining meat sauce, and the last ¼ cup of parmesan. Finish by topping with the remaining mozzarella slices.
- Cover the pan with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, or until the lasagna is hot and bubbly. Allow it to rest for 15 minutes before serving to help it set.