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Million Dollar Lasagna – Creamy,Hearty & Crowd-Pleasing Family Dinner Recipe

Hearty & Crowd-Pleasing Family Dinner Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 21 reviews

Million Dollar Lasagna is a creamy, hearty, and crowd-pleasing family dinner that layers savory ground beef, rich ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and flavorful marinara sauce between no-boil lasagna noodles for a comforting Italian classic everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage)
  • 4 cups marinara sauce (or your homemade tomato sauce)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cheese Mixture

  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (half of the total)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Assembly and Topping

  • No-boil lasagna noodles (enough for layering, typically 9-12 noodles)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (remaining half)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the lasagna later.
  2. Sauté Onion and Garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Cook Meat: Increase heat to medium-high and add the ground beef or beef and sausage mixture. Cook until browned, breaking the meat into small pieces with a spoon. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
  4. Simmer Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. This will deepen the flavors of the meat sauce.
  5. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, plus a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.
  6. Layer Ingredients: In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Cover this with a layer of no-boil lasagna noodles. Spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles, then add a layer of meat sauce and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  7. Repeat Layers: Continue layering noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella until all ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of noodles, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and the remaining grated Parmesan cheese.
  8. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
  9. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
  10. Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow it to set properly. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm for a delicious family meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with a mix of beef and Italian sausage for more flavor.
  • Using no-boil noodles saves time and simplifies the process.
  • Allowing the lasagna to rest after baking helps it hold together better when sliced.
  • Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Nutrition

Keywords: lasagna recipe, creamy lasagna, family dinner, ground beef lasagna, Italian lasagna, easy lasagna

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/hearty-and-crowd-pleasing-family-dinner-recipe/