Million Dollar Lasagna (Air Fryer Recipe)

Introduction

Million Dollar Lasagna is a rich, cheesy, and indulgent dish that layers a creamy cheese mixture between hearty meat sauce and tender pasta. Unlike traditional lasagna, this version includes a luxurious blend of ricotta, cream cheese, and mozzarella, giving it a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that truly tastes like a “million dollars!”

Cooking lasagna in the air fryer speeds up the process while still achieving perfectly cooked layers with a golden-brown, cheesy top. It’s ideal for smaller portions and quicker baking, without sacrificing flavor.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients (Serves 4-6, fits an 8-inch air fryer pan or loaf pan)

For the Meat Sauce:

1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 ½ cups marinara sauce

1 tsp Italian seasoning

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

For the Cheese Layer:

1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)

4 oz cream cheese, softened

½ cup sour cream

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg

1 tsp garlic powder

For Layering:

6 oven-ready lasagna noodles (no-boil)

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

 Prepare the Meat Sauce

Heat a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.

Add onion and garlic, cook for 2-3 minutes until soft.

Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.

 Prepare the Cheese Mixture

In a bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, egg, and garlic powder until smooth.

 Assemble the Lasagna (in an 8-inch air fryer-safe pan or loaf pan)

Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.

Place 2 lasagna noodles over the sauce.

Spread ⅓ of the cheese mixture over the noodles.

Add ⅓ of the remaining meat sauce and ⅓ of the mozzarella.

Repeat layers twice, finishing with meat sauce and mozzarella on top.

 Air Fry the Lasagna

Cover the dish with foil (to prevent excessive browning).

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).

Air fry for 20 minutes, then remove the foil.

Air fry for another 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

 Rest & Serve

Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm!

Tips & Tricks

Use No-Boil Noodles:

They cook perfectly in the air fryer without extra prep.

Small Batch Cooking:

Air fryers work best with smaller portions—use an 8-inch round or loaf pan.

Cover with Foil Initially:

Prevents the cheese from burning before the noodles are tender.

Let it Rest:

This helps the layers set and prevents a runny lasagna.

Make Ahead:

Assemble it a day in advance and store it in the fridge until ready to air fry.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, Approximate)

Calories: 480

Carbs: 35g

Protein: 30g

Fat: 26g

Fiber: 4g

Sugar: 6g