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Lazy Lasagna Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 97 reviews

This Lazy Lasagna Casserole is an easy-to-make, comforting dish that combines pasta, ground beef, cottage cheese, and marinara sauce into a cheesy baked casserole. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it streamlines classic lasagna flavors without the layering hassle.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Dairy

  • 2 cups uncooked penne pasta
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped

Seasonings and Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 24 oz jar pasta sauce (Marinara or homemade tomato sauce)

Garnish

  • Chopped fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions, cooking it one minute less than recommended to avoid overcooking. Drain well to remove excess water.
  2. Cook Ground Beef Mixture: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, then add the ground beef, chopped onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Break up the meat with a spatula and cook for 7-8 minutes until the meat is browned and the onions are softened.
  3. Add Cottage Cheese and Sauce: Stir in the cottage cheese and pasta sauce into the cooked ground beef mixture. Mix everything thoroughly to combine well.
  4. Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet. Stir gently to evenly distribute the pasta throughout the meat and sauce mixture.
  5. Transfer to Casserole Dish: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Use a spatula to spread and level the mixture evenly.
  6. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole mixture.
  7. Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown around the edges.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving. Enjoy your easy and delicious lazy lasagna casserole!

Notes

  • Cooking the pasta slightly underdone prevents it from becoming mushy after baking.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
  • For a vegetarian version, use tofu or plant-based meat and substitute plant-based cheese.
  • Other pasta shapes like rigatoni or farfalle work well if penne is not available.
  • If you don’t have fresh basil, dried basil or Italian seasoning can be used, but fresh provides the best flavor.

Keywords: lazy lasagna casserole, baked pasta casserole, easy lasagna recipe, ground beef casserole, weeknight dinner, cheesy baked pasta

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/lazy-lasagna-casserole-recipe/