Description
This Million Dollar Creamy Beef Lasagna is a rich and indulgent comfort food dish, layered with a savory beef marinara sauce, a luscious creamy cheese mixture, and tender lasagna noodles. Perfect for family dinners, it combines classic Italian flavors with a creamy twist for an irresistible meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef 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 and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Cook Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet. Season with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Cook until the beef is fully browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
- Add Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce to the beef mixture, bring to a simmer, and let cook for 5 minutes to combine flavors. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the creamy cheese mixture over the noodles, then add more meat sauce on top. Repeat these layers once more ending with a layer of sauce.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes until the lasagna is bubbly and the top is lightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven. This helps the layers set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Make sure to cook the lasagna noodles al dente according to package instructions before assembling.
- Letting the lasagna rest before serving ensures cleaner slices and better texture.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for different flavor profiles.
- Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness; you can omit or substitute with dried parsley if needed.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
