Homemade Sausage Lasagna with Cream Cheese
Our Best Homemade Lasagna Recipe: You just can’t beat homemade lasagna layered with piles of noodles, meat, and cheese. This rich and spicy sausage lasagna is a family tradition with a surprise ingredient no one can resist!
Sausage Lasagna Recipe
Ahhhh, lasagna.
Lasagna, lasagna, lasagana.
I love the way that word rolls off the tongue. Nothing but warm fuzzy feelings could possibly fill your heart, upon hearing there’s going to be our best lasagna for dinner.
Homemade lasagna has been a family favorite on both sides of our family for years. But I’ll never forget the first time I made it with a life-altering ingredient.
Homemade Lasagna with Cream Cheese
Right after Lt. Dan and I got married, we went to Indiana to visit his family.
To make myself useful (and endearing) to my new mother-in-law, I offered to help prepare dinner every chance I got. Dan’s mom Sue, is an exceptional cook and I only hoped I wouldn’t do something silly and embarrass myself.
One evening, homemade lasagna was on the menu.
We prepared a thick hearty meat sauce and let it gently simmer on the stovetop. We boiled the noodles and laid them on clean tea towels. Then when it was time to assemble the lasagna, I looked in the fridge for the necessary cheeses but could not find ricotta.
Sue informed me that their family didn’t use ricotta cheese in homemade lasagna.
“Colliers use Cream Cheese.”
Cream cheese in sausage lasagna? I couldn’t imagine lasagna without ricotta.
That is until I tasted it.
Fireworks.
Clashing Cymbals.
A Flavor Tidal Wave of Epic Proportion.
All I could think was, “Thank God, I’m now a Collier.”
Ricotta vs. Cream Cheese Lasagna
Once you’ve added cream cheese to our best lasagna, there is no turning back to ricotta.
This homemade lasagna recipe is essentially my mother-in-law’s recipe with three heaping layers of noodles, thick sausage-based meat sauce, and a 3 cheese blend. Sue taught me to mix mozzarella, parmesan, and silky cream cheese to create the perfect combination of salty goodness and creamy texture.
This is a magnificent sausage lasagna recipe.
Not to sound smug, but after tasting, you’ll be just as thankful as I am to have it. You may even want to change your last name to Collier. *wink*
Ingredients For Sausage Lasagna with Cream Cheese
- Box of Lasagna Noodles
- Homemade Marinara or Store-Bought Tomato Sausage
- Italian Sausage – mild or spicy sausage
- Softened Cream Cheese
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- Italian Seasoning
How To Make Lasagna with Cream Cheese
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a large saucepan, brown the sausage over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Once the meat is fully cooked, add and stir the marinara, then simmer for 10 minutes.
Boil the noodles in a large pot of salty water, according to package instructions. Drain and remove the noodles and lay them out on a clean dish towel.
Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Smear 9-12 noodles with an equal portion of cream cheese. (The number of noodles used depends on the width of the pan.)
Start assembling the lasagna: One large scoop of meat sauce on the bottom, 3-4 noodles across (cream cheese side up), 1/3 of the mozzarella, and parmesan. Repeat. After the third layer of noodles with cream cheese, pour the rest of the sauce over the noodles before adding the last layer of the mozzarella and parmesan. Sprinkle the top with Italian Seasoning.
Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes—until the cheese is toasty and the sides are bubbling. Wait at least 10 minutes before cutting. Lasagna (as well as many other favorite pasta dishes) is considered better on the second day. If making this ahead, Cover well, refrigerate, and bake for 40-50 minutes to heat through!
Get The Full (Printable) Homemade Sausage Lasagna Recipe with Cream Cheese Below. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Make This Homemade Lasagna Recipe The Night Before?
Yes, wrap it well with plastic wrap/aluminum foil and store it in your fridge. The next morning, bake at 375 for 40 to 50 minutes. Only covered if you feel the cheese is starting to get too crisp.
Can I Substitute the Noodles for Zucchini?
Sure! I have a paleo lasagna where we do this. To use it as a reference click this link. You can also swap the pasta for gluten-free lasagna noodles.
Can I Use Ground Beef instead of Italian Sausage?
Swap away! Of course, it will lose a little flavor, because spicy italian sausage is loaded with herbs and spices, but will still taste wonderful.
What Size Box of Lasagna Noodles Do I Purchase?
A 12-ounce box will work but if you buy a 16-ounce box, go ahead and boil all the noodles and pick out the best ones.
Can I Use No-Boil Lasagna Noodles?
Yes, you can. I do prefer the texture of traditional lasagna noodles, but if you are in a hurry, layer no-boil noodles in this dish and add 1/3 cup water to the sauce, so there is plenty of moisture for the noodles to absorb.
Do I Use Any Other Spice Besides Italian Seasoning?
If you use the herb blend “Italian Seasoning” you can find at most grocery stores, it usually has all the herbs you need. It’s a mix of oregano, basil, rosemary, and marjoram. Or make your own Italian Seasoning from your spice rack!
Can I Use Any Tomato Sauce?
You could use a simple tomato sauce, but then the flavor of this dish would diminish greatly. Our homemade marinara recipe includes many ingredients like tomato sauce, garlic cloves, onion, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper to increase the flavor. If buying pre-made sauce, buy jarred marinara instead of plain tomato sauce.
More Comforting Pasta Dishes:
- Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Sausage (No Boil Noodles)
- Hearts of Palm with Spinach Cream Sauce
- Baked Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Chicken
- Malfatti (Gnudi) Ricotta Dumplings
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Creamy Baked Rigatoni Bolognese
- 8-Minute Japeguri (Easy Ram Don Korean Noodles)
- Green Risotto with Fresh Parsley
- Homemade Egg Noodles – Dine & Dish
- Pistachio Pasta ~ Kiran Tarun
- Squash and Spinach Stuffed Shells ~ Mommie Cooks
Homemade Sausage Lasagna with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 box lasagna noodles
- 2 quarts homemade marinara or store-bought
- 2 pounds Italian sausage
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large sauce pan, brown the sausage over medium heat, breaking into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Once the meat is fully cooked, add the marinara and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Boil the noodles in a large pot of salty water, according to package instructions. Remove the noodles and lay them out on a clean dish towel.
- Spray an 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Smear 9-12 noodles with an equal portion of cream cheese. (The number of noodles used depends on the width of the pan.)
- Start assembling the lasagna: One large scoop of meat sauce on the bottom, 3-4 noodles across (cream cheese side up), 1/3 of the mozzarella and parmesan. Repeat. After the third layer of noodles with cream cheese, pour the rest of the sauce over the noodles before adding the last layer of the mozzarella and parmesan. Sprinkle the top with Italian Seasoning.
- Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes—until the cheese is toasty and the sides are bubbling. Wait at least 10 minutes before cutting. Lasagna (as well as many other favorite pasta dishes) is considered better the second day. If making this ahead, Cover well, refrigerate, and bake for 40-50 minutes to heat through!
This looks so good. I thought it was crazy when I switched from ricotta to cottage cheese. Now I am going to try this!
Mmm… That both looks and sounds delicious!
Dyyyyyyyyyiinnngggggggg.
Looks delicious. I think the cream cheese idea is a good one. I’m from Germany, and in Europe I don’t know a single person who makes Lasagna with ricotta cheese (including all my Italian friends). Everyone makes it with a bechamel sauce, which I love, but it’s extra time. So, cream cheese sounds like a quick and delicious option since it usually pairs well with tomato sauce stuff.
I’ll be trying it next time I make lasagna. :)
I never would have thought of cream cheese, but I could DEFINITELY see how it’d be great in lasagna. The added tang probably gives it such a unique flavor. Lasagna has been one of my favorite meals since I was a kid and I’ll be trying your recipe next time lasagna’s on our menu!
My seven year old was just begging for lasagna the other day. I love that you use cream cheese. I have used it with mozzarella and parmesan to fill ravioli but I never thought to try it in lasagna. I’m inspired!
Your beautiful photos make me want to make this lasagna. It looks super juicy and delicious!
Cream cheese- perfect!!!
What a cute newlywed story! Thanks for sharing it w us, Sommer.
Cream cheese has a lot more flavour and a beautiful smooth texture.
How interesting! I’ve never heard of cream cheese in lasagna, but I can almost imagine the silkiness that it must add. Gotta give this a try!
This looks wonderful, Sommer! I love lasagna…
My Italian grandmother is rolling in her grave. But I totally want to try it!
Do you use full fat cream cheese or is the 1/3 less fat kind an ok substitute? I know from experience that sometimes it’s ok to substitute, but sometimes it’s not so just wondering if you tried it!
Love those perfect layers, so pretty. I am so trying cream cheese in my lasagne!
This looks amazing! Definitely in the mood to make lasagna now! I’m pinning this! :)
YUM! I bet that gave it a great creamy taste and a little zip, too. I always found ricotta to be a bit bland. Great recipe!
You can’t really beat homemade lasagna, can you??
Love this idea, it looks so good girl – now I have a craving for it.
My sil puts cream cheese in her lasagna too, so I throw some in occasionally! it’s makes it so creamy and rich! GREAT recipe and beautiful pictures Sommer!