What ingredients are needed to make Million Dollar Lasagna?

Answer guidance: List the key ingredients such as lasagna noodles, cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, Italian sausage, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Include brief notes on possible substitutions (e.g., ground turkey for sausage) to address common user variations.

Can I prepare Million Dollar Lasagna ahead of time, and how should I store it?

Answer guidance: Explain that the dish can be assembled in advance (up to 24-48 hours refrigerated or frozen), with tips on covering and baking times if chilled or frozen. Include advice on wrapping individual slices for freezing leftovers safely.

How do I avoid watery lasagna when making Million Dollar Lasagna?

Answer guidance: Provide practical steps such as draining cooked meats thoroughly, simmering sauces to reduce liquid, and properly handling noodles. This answers a frequent user concern and adds value by addressing texture issues.

What type of noodles and cheese work best in Million Dollar Lasagna?

Answer guidance: Discuss differences between no-boil and traditional lasagna noodles, including moisture considerations for no-boil types. Address cheese options, noting that shredding mozzarella at home improves melt quality compared to pre-shredded cheese.

How can I adjust the recipe to make a smaller portion of Million Dollar Lasagna?

Answer guidance: Offer clear instructions on halving ingredients, choosing a smaller baking dish (like 8×8-inch), and monitoring baking time carefully to prevent over- or under-cooking. This answers questions from users with different serving needs and supports recipe flexibility. This FAQ structure aligns with user search intent, naturally incorporates relevant keywords, and covers common questions, concerns, and useful tips to improve user experience and search visibility. Answers should be concise yet detailed enough to stand alone for voice search and featured snippets.

Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe Plus Zesty Lemon Oatmeal Cookies

Name: Rich Lasagna Recipe and Zesty Lemon Oatmeal Cookies for Delightful Meals
Prep time: PT-486107H13M10S
Cook time: PT-486107H13M10S
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 12 lasagna noodles; 1 1/4 pounds Italian sausage or ground beef (or mixture of 1 lb ground beef and 1 lb Italian sausage); 1 (24-ounce) jar spaghetti or marinara sauce; 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce or 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 medium onion, diced (optional); 3 garlic cloves, minced (optional); 1 (24-ounce) container cottage cheese or ricotta cheese; 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup sour cream; 1 large egg, beaten; 1 tablespoon dried parsley; 1 to 2 cups shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese, divided; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 3/4 teaspoon baking soda (or 2 teaspoons baking powder); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened; 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar, divided; 1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional); Grated zest from 1 medium lemon (about 2 teaspoons); 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats; 2 large eggs (optional); Optional additions: 3 tablespoons lemon juice, white chocolate chips (up to 2 cups), or lemon pudding mix (3.4 oz)

Description

🍝 Indulge in a rich and hearty lasagna that brings layers of flavorful meat, creamy cheese, and savory sauce.
🍪 Enjoy a refreshing twist with zesty lemon oatmeal cookies, offering a delightful balance of tartness and sweetness for dessert or snack.

Ingredients

Scale

12 lasagna noodles
1 1/4 pounds Italian sausage or ground beef (or mixture of 1 lb ground beef and 1 lb Italian sausage)
1 (24-ounce) jar spaghetti or marinara sauce
2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce or 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 medium onion, diced (optional)
3 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
1 (24-ounce) container cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1 large egg, beaten
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 to 2 cups shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Lemon Oatmeal Cookies:
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda (or 2 teaspoons baking powder)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar, divided
1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional)
Grated zest from 1 medium lemon (about 2 teaspoons)
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 large eggs (optional)
Optional additions: 3 tablespoons lemon juice, white chocolate chips (up to 2 cups), or lemon pudding mix (3.4 oz)

Instructions

Lasagna:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain and set aside.
3. Brown sausage and/or ground beef in a skillet over medium heat; drain excess fat.
4. Add diced onion and minced garlic if using; sauté until soft.
5. Stir in spaghetti or marinara sauce, tomato sauce or diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 to 15 minutes and remove from heat.
6. Mix cottage or ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, beaten egg, dried parsley, and half the Parmesan cheese until creamy.
7. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
8. Spread 1 cup meat sauce on bottom, layer 6 noodles lengthwise.
9. Spread half cheese mixture over noodles, sprinkle with one-third to half mozzarella.
10. Add half remaining meat sauce, sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan.
11. Repeat layers.
12. Top with remaining mozzarella.
13. Cover with foil; bake 25 minutes.
14. Remove foil; bake 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
15. Rest 10-15 minutes before serving.

Lemon Oatmeal Cookies:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C); line baking sheets.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda (or powder), and salt.
3. Beat butter and 1 cup sugar until light and creamy.
4. Add lemon extract, zest, and juice if using; mix.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients.
6. Stir in oats and optional additions.
7. Beat in eggs if using.
8. Scoop dough; place 2-2 1/2 inches apart.
9. Dip glass bottom in water then sugar; press cookies flat.
10. Bake 9-12 minutes until edges golden; cool on racks.

Notes

🍝 Assemble lasagna a day ahead for convenience and better flavor.
🍋 Use old-fashioned oats for chewier cookies; avoid overbaking for softness.
❄️ Freeze leftover lasagna and cookie dough for easy future meals and snacks.

Prep Time: 15-25 minutes
Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
Category: Main Course and Dessert
Method: Baking and Simmering
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving lasagna, 1 cookie
Calories: 575
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 60g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 29g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: Rich, Lasagna, Lemon, Oatmeal Cookies