Million Dollar Lasagna Layers (Printable Version)
Layers of beef, Italian sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan come together for a richly flavored dish.
# Ingredients Required:
→ Meat
01 -
454 g ground beef
02 -
454 g Italian sausage
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
03 -
1 cup (160 g) chopped onion
04 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Tomato Base
05 -
794 g crushed tomatoes
06 -
340 g tomato paste
→ Herbs and Spices
07 -
2 teaspoons dried basil
08 -
2 teaspoons dried oregano
09 -
1 teaspoon salt
10 -
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Pasta
11 -
12 lasagna noodles
→ Cheeses and Eggs
12 -
426 g ricotta cheese
13 -
1 large egg
14 -
340 g shredded mozzarella cheese
15 -
100 g grated Parmesan cheese
→ Garnish
16 -
Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
# Guide to Cooking:
01 -
Set the oven temperature to 190°C to prepare for baking.
02 -
Boil lasagna noodles following package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
03 -
Sauté ground beef, Italian sausage, chopped onion, and minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat until meat is browned and onions are translucent. Drain excess fat.
04 -
Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture. Simmer gently for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
05 -
Combine ricotta cheese, egg, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese in a bowl until evenly blended.
06 -
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish, followed by a layer of four lasagna noodles.
07 -
Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, spoon one-fourth of the remaining meat sauce, then sprinkle one-third of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat this layering process twice more.
08 -
Place the last four noodles on top, cover with remaining meat sauce, then evenly scatter the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
09 -
Cover the dish with aluminum foil, spraying foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and bake for 25 minutes.
10 -
Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
11 -
Allow the dish to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
To enrich flavor, use both ground beef and Italian sausage. Drain excess fat during cooking to avoid greasiness. Let it rest before cutting to maintain structure.