Description
A comforting baked pasta casserole that delivers all the classic lasagna flavors with an easier, quicker method. Layers of pasta, rich tomato meat sauce, creamy ricotta mixture, and melted mozzarella come together in a cozy oven baked dish perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 450 grams ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) so it is ready when the casserole is assembled.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft. Add minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Assemble the Dish: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. In a baking dish layer sauce, lasagna noodles, ricotta mixture, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers until the ingredients are used.
- Cook to Perfection: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Finishing Touches: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley over the top for freshness and color.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before slicing so the layers hold together beautifully.
Notes
- Let the casserole rest before serving so the layers set properly.
- Use freshly grated cheese for smoother melting and richer flavor.
- A thick marinara sauce helps the casserole hold its shape.
- This dish reheats well and tastes even better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: lazy lasagna casserole, easy lasagna bake, pasta casserole dinner, simple baked pasta, weeknight lasagna