Ultimate Million Dollar Creamy Beef Lasagna – 7 Irresistible Layers Recipe
This Ultimate Million Dollar Creamy Beef Lasagna features seven irresistible layers of savory ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and a luscious blend of creamy cheeses. Perfectly baked until bubbly and golden, this comforting Italian-American classic promises a hearty and satisfying meal that’s ideal for family dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 24 oz marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Other
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for a brief moment until fragrant.
- Cook beef: Add ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Cook until the beef is browned thoroughly, then drain any excess fat.
- Add marinara: Stir in the marinara sauce with the cooked beef and allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat after simmering.
- Mix cheeses: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
- Assemble layers: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add a layer of cooked lasagna noodles on top, followed by a layer of the creamy cheese mixture, then more meat sauce. Repeat these layers to create seven layers in total, ending with a meat sauce layer.
- Bake covered: Cover the assembled lasagna with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Bake uncovered and rest: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the lasagna is bubbly and lightly golden on top. Once baked, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving to allow the layers to set.
Notes
- Ensure lasagna noodles are cooked al dente to avoid mushy layers after baking.
- Use fresh parsley for a brighter flavor, but dried parsley can be used if fresh is unavailable.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps it hold its shape and improves serving.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce while cooking.
- Can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; bake fresh before serving for best flavor.
Keywords: beef lasagna, creamy lasagna, Italian lasagna, baked pasta, layered lasagna, cheesy lasagna, comfort food
