Million Dollar Lasagna

Million Dollar Lasagna gets its name from its rich combination of ingredients. This recipe features a savory sauce with two kinds of meat, a creamy spinach and tomato filling, and a generous amount of cheese layered between tender pasta.

While it takes about an hour and a half from start to finish, the process is straightforward. It’s a great dish for a weekend dinner or a special gathering, resulting in a hearty and satisfying meal that serves a crowd.

Why will you love Million Dollar Lasagna?

A flavorful meat sauce made with both ground beef and Italian sausage provides a deep, savory base.

The addition of spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and mushrooms to the sauce creates more complex flavor and texture.

Three different cheeses—mozzarella, feta, and Parmesan—work together to provide melt, tang, and a salty finish.

Million Dollar Lasagna Ingredients

• Italian Sausage: You can use mild or hot bulk sausage. If you only have links, just remove the casings before cooking.

• No-Cook Lasagna Noodles: These noodles are a time-saver. They cook by absorbing liquid from the sauce, so do not boil them first.

• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Use oil-packed tomatoes for the best flavor and texture. Drain them well before chopping and adding them to the sauce.

• Frozen Spinach: Thaw the spinach completely and squeeze out as much water as possible. This is a key step to prevent a watery sauce.

• Feta Cheese: Plain feta works well, but a tomato-basil flavored feta can add an extra layer of flavor to the top crust.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Million Dollar Lasagna

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

First, brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, and onion in a large pot. Add the garlic, then remove the meat and set it aside. In the same pot, cook the mushrooms, then add the broth, spinach, tomatoes, and seasonings. Simmer everything together to let the flavors meld.

Step 2: Combine the Sauce Components

Return the cooked meat mixture to the pot with the vegetables. Stir in the marinara sauce and the cooked, crumbled bacon. Let the sauce heat through so all the ingredients are well combined.

Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna Layers

In a greased baking dish, begin layering your ingredients. Start with a layer of sauce, then add no-cook noodles and a sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat this process until you have four full layers of pasta.

Step 4: Bake and Rest

Top the final layer with the remaining sauce, mozzarella, and all of the feta cheese. Bake it covered first to cook the noodles through, then uncovered to get the cheese golden and bubbly. Let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before you slice into it.

What to Serve with Million Dollar Lasagna

A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or some garlic bread would be great alongside this rich lasagna.

Helpful Tricks for Million Dollar Lasagna

Food Safety: Ensure the ground meat mixture is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) on a food thermometer.

Resting Is Key: Letting the lasagna stand before cutting is important. It allows the layers to firm up, making it much easier to serve clean slices.

Noodle Choice: This recipe is designed for no-cook noodles. If you use standard lasagna noodles, cook them according to package directions before layering.

Make-Ahead: You can assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then add about 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time.

How to Store and Freeze Million Dollar Lasagna

Store leftover lasagna tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350°F (175°C) oven until hot throughout.

Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe FAQs

Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the entire lasagna, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time since it will be cold.

Can I use regular lasagna noodles instead of no-cook?

You can. Just boil the noodles according to the package directions until they are al dente. Drain them well and lay them on a baking sheet to prevent sticking before you start layering.

Is this lasagna spicy?

As written, it is mild and savory. To add some heat, use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce as it simmers.

Million Dollar Lasagna

A rich, layered lasagna with a hearty meat sauce, creamy spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and three kinds of cheese.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 40 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian-American

Servings 12

Ingredients

  

• 1 tbsp olive oil 15 ml
• 1 lb ground beef 450 g
• 1/2 lb bulk Italian sausage 225 g
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 8 oz fresh mushrooms sliced, 225 g
• 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth 240 ml
• 1 jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes drained and chopped, 7 oz / 200 g
• 1 package frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed dry, 10 oz / 280 g
• 1 tbsp minced fresh basil
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 jar marinara sauce 24 oz / 680 g
• 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
• 12 no-cook lasagna noodles
• 3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese divided, 12 oz / 340 g
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese 4 oz / 115 g
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving, optional

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13x9-inch (33x23 cm) baking dish.
• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, Italian sausage, and chopped onion. Cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking up the meat, until it is no longer pink. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant. Drain any excess fat and set the meat mixture aside.
• To the same pot, add the sliced mushrooms and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the broth, drained sun-dried tomatoes, squeezed spinach, basil, nutmeg, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
• Return the cooked meat mixture to the pot. Stir in the marinara sauce and crumbled bacon. The ground meat should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to be considered fully cooked.
• Spread 1 cup of the sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange 3 no-cook noodles on top, followed by 2/3 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers (sauce, noodles, mozzarella) three more times.
• Top the lasagna with the remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the top.
• Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the noodles are tender.
• Let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the layers set. If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Food Safety: Ensure the ground meat mixture is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) on a food thermometer.

Resting Is Key: Letting the lasagna stand before cutting is important. It allows the layers to firm up, making it much easier to serve clean slices.

Noodle Choice: This recipe is designed for no-cook noodles. If you use standard lasagna noodles, cook them according to package directions before layering.

Make-Ahead: You can assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then add about 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time.

Keyword Casserole, Italian sausage, lasagna, million dollar lasagna, Pasta