Description
Million Dollar Creamy Beef Lasagna is a rich and comforting Italian-American favorite featuring layers of savory ground beef marinara sauce, a velvety cheese mixture of ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan, all nestled between tender lasagna noodles and baked to golden perfection. This hearty dish serves as the ultimate family-friendly meal with creamy, cheesy, and flavorful layers that make every bite irresistible.
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 according to package instructions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Cook the beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add Marinara and Simmer: Stir in the marinara sauce with the cooked beef. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors. Remove from heat once done.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange a layer of cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Dollop and spread the creamy cheese mixture over the noodles, then top with another layer of meat sauce. Repeat these layers—noodles, cheese mixture, and sauce—until all components are used, finishing with a top layer of meat sauce.
- Bake Covered: Cover the assembled lasagna tightly with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the lasagna is bubbly and the top is lightly golden and slightly crispy.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes out of the oven. This resting time helps the layers set for easier slicing and serving. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions to al dente so they hold up well during baking.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for variation.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness but can be swapped with dried parsley if needed.
- To save time, prepare the meat sauce and cheese mixture a day ahead and refrigerate.
- Covering with foil during baking keeps the lasagna moist; removing it at the end gives a nice golden crust.
