Description
Homemade mixed up lasagna delivers a delightful twist on classic Italian comfort food. Layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheeses create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Pasta and Cheese:
- 12 ounces (12 oz) pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) olive oil
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and lightly coating a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature. Sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into crumbles. Cook until the meat is completely browned and no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the meat, then return skillet to heat. Pour in marinara sauce, sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes, melding the flavors together.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Gently fold in the prepared meat sauce until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the mixed pasta and meat combination to the greased casserole dish, spreading it uniformly across the surface.
- Generously top the lasagna with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier protein option that keeps the dish nutritious and satisfying.
- Enhance vegetable content by mixing in spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms directly into the meat sauce for extra nutrients and flavor complexity.
- Prepare lasagna ahead of time by assembling completely and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which allows flavors to meld beautifully and makes meal prep easier.
- Control portion sizes and create individual servings by using ramekins or smaller baking dishes instead of one large casserole, perfect for meal prepping or entertaining different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 435 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg