Million Dollar Lasagna

Step one

Prepare the oven and noodles. Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, keeping noodles separated to prevent sticking.

Step two

Cook the meat and vegetables. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage and cook, breaking meat into small pieces. Once meat begins to brown, add bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Continue cooking until meat is cooked through and vegetables are softened, about 10–12 minutes total. Drain excess grease.

Step three

Finish the meat sauce. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Add crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–5 minutes, then remove from heat.

Step four

Make the ricotta mixture. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, and Parmesan. Mix until combined.

Step five

Assemble the lasagna. Spread ½ cup meat sauce across the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Divide the remaining meat sauce, ricotta mixture, and Alfredo sauce into three equal portions each. Arrange 3 noodles over sauce. Spread one portion of ricotta mixture over noodles, top with one portion of meat sauce, and spoon one portion of Alfredo sauce evenly over the top. Repeat this layering sequence twice more, using the remaining noodles and portions of each mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella evenly over the final layer.

Step six

Bake. Cover baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes, or until lasagna is heated through and sauce is bubbling around the edges. For a lightly browned top, remove foil during the final 5–10 minutes of baking.

Step seven

Rest and serve. Let lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve.

Recipe note: Baking time may vary depending on the depth of the baking dish and the temperature of the ingredients when assembled.