Lasagna Casserole
Ingredients:
– 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or bowtie)
– 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
– 1 small onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 (24 oz) jar pasta sauce
– 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
– 1 tsp Italian seasoning
– ½ tsp salt
– ½ tsp black pepper
– 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
– Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, then drain any excess grease.
4. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
5. Stir in the pasta sauce, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, mixing thoroughly.
7. Spread the mixture evenly in the greased baking dish and top with the remaining shredded mozzarella.
8. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving warm.
This dish is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner and reheats wonderfully for leftovers! If you need any modifications, feel free to ask!
