Best Million Dollar Lasagna – Better Than Takeout

Craving million dollar lasagna? This easy, better-than-takeout recipe delivers a rich, hearty lasagna with a secret ingredient. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to the perfect lasagna every time. The crispy cheese edges and rich meat sauce layers will make your family beg for this. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Best Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch and Easy Pecan Crunch Glazed Bites.

What You'll Need for Best Million Dollar Lasagna – Better Than Takeout

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 jars (24 oz each) marinara sauce
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: Fresh basil leaves
• Optional: Grated parmesan cheese

How to Make Best Million Dollar Lasagna – Better Than Takeout

1. Brown the meat: In a large skillet, cook ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain fat and set aside.
2. Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until softened. Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Cook lasagna noodles: Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
4. Assemble lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles, followed by a layer of ricotta cheese, a layer of mozzarella cheese, and a layer of meat sauce. Repeat layers, ending with a layer of meat sauce and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
5. Bake lasagna: Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
6. Let rest and serve: Let lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving. Top with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Storing & Reheating Best Million Dollar Lasagna – Better Than Takeout

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Assemble lasagna up to 24 hours ahead of time. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Freezing Best Million Dollar Lasagna – Better Than Takeout

Freeze cooked lasagna for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat lasagna in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: Use a food processor to quickly chop onions and garlic for even distribution in the meat sauce.
• Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef and Italian sausage for a leaner version of this recipe.
• Make-ahead: Assemble lasagna up to 24 hours ahead of time. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to accommodate your needs.
• Troubleshooting: If lasagna is still frozen in the middle after baking, cover with foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Best Million Dollar Lasagna – Better Than Takeout

⏱

Prep

30 mins

🍳

Cook

45 mins

⏳

Total

1 hr 15 mins

🍽

Serves

8 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-Free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 jars (24 oz each) marinara sauce
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Seasonings

• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper

Optional Toppings

• Fresh basil leaves
• Grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Brown the meat: In a large skillet, cook ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain fat and set aside.
2. Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until softened. Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Cook lasagna noodles: Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
4. Assemble lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles, followed by a layer of ricotta cheese, a layer of mozzarella cheese, and a layer of meat sauce. Repeat layers, ending with a layer of meat sauce and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
5. Bake lasagna: Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
6. Let rest and serve: Let lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving. Top with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

• Chef tip: Use a food processor to quickly chop onions and garlic for even distribution in the meat sauce.
• Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef and Italian sausage for a leaner version of this recipe.
• Make-ahead: Assemble lasagna up to 24 hours ahead of time. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to accommodate your needs.
• Troubleshooting: If lasagna is still frozen in the middle after baking, cover with foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked lasagna for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat lasagna in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
• Make ahead: Assemble lasagna up to 24 hours ahead of time. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 580
• Protein: 35g
• Fat: 28g
• Carbs: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 1400mg
• Cholesterol: 120mg
• Sat. Fat: 15g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Best Million Dollar Lasagna – Better Than Takeout FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Best Million Dollar Lasagna – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!