Description
Experience the ultimate comfort food with this Million Dollar Creamy Beef Lasagna featuring seven irresistible layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheese blend, and tender noodles baked to perfection. Perfect for family dinners, this hearty lasagna combines savory ground beef with a luscious mixture of ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan for an unforgettable flavor.
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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare it for layering the lasagna.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until softened. Then add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Cook Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
- Make Meat Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce to the browned beef mixture and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors. Remove from heat afterward.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Layer Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Lay down a layer of cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread a layer of the creamy cheese mixture over the noodles, then add another layer of meat sauce. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a sauce layer on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This helps heat through and meld the flavors while keeping moisture locked in.
- 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 brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes after baking to set. Slice into portions and serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use no-boil lasagna noodles as a shortcut, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
- Fresh parsley can be substituted with dried parsley, but reduce quantity to 1 teaspoon.
- Allowing the lasagna to rest before serving helps it set for cleaner slices.
- Feel free to add sautéed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added nutrients.
- Leftover lasagna can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
