Description
Classic Italian lasagna casserole offers layers of rich, hearty flavors that transport diners straight to Italy. Melted cheese, savory meat sauce, and tender pasta create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Pasta and Sauce:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
- 24 ounces (680 grams) marinara sauce
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) to prepare for baking.
- Boil pasta until tender, following package guidelines, then drain completely.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, eliminating excess grease.
- Enhance meat with marinara sauce and aromatic seasonings, allowing flavors to meld during a 5-7 minute simmer.
- Thoroughly combine cooked pasta with the richly seasoned meat sauce in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating the first substantial layer with half the pasta-meat mixture.
- Spread ricotta cheese evenly across the initial layer, ensuring consistent coverage.
- Top with remaining pasta and meat mixture, creating a hearty second layer.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the entire casserole surface.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Allow casserole to rest 5 minutes, enabling flavors to settle and making serving easier.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains incredible flavor.
- Enhance protein content by adding a layer of sautéed spinach or zucchini between pasta layers for extra nutrition and texture.
- Prevent soggy lasagna by draining pasta thoroughly and letting meat sauce simmer to reduce excess liquid before mixing with noodles.
- Make ahead by assembling casserole completely, covering with foil, and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking – perfect for meal prep enthusiasts.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 481 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg