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Love lasagna but don’t like all the work that it takes to make it? This is an easier lasagna version made in a casserole dish. Flavorful, yummy, and high in protein with 32g of protein.
I love casseroles. They are very easy to make (which means I need to spend less time in the kitchen) and highly nutritious and delicious (ideal for feeding a family).
This lasagna casserole is ideal for those who want to have a hearty and comforting meal but don’t want to spend countless hours in the kitchen. And, the best thing is that it’s quick to make now, and it doesn’t compromise the taste.
Each bite gives you the flavors of warmth and comforting lasagna but spends half the time. Imagine the combination of tender pasta, savory beef, creamy cheese, and a hearty sauce. Make your mouth water, doesn’t it?
Now you can see why I’m a fan of the casserole!
Like with any recipe, I love how you can modify this one and take the range of flavors to a whole new level.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItYou can always add other ingredients to elevate this casserole. I’d use zucchini, mushrooms, sausage, or bell peppers.
Additionally, this recipe is a great one for meal prep. You can make the dish and cut it into individual pieces to use later in the week or even in the month.
Ingredients and Substitutes
Uncooked penne pasta (2 cups) – This type of pasta is great since it holds well all the sauce. You can use other options like rigatoni or farfalle. And, if you follow a gluten-free lifestyle, you can choose a gluten-free pasta.
Olive oil (1 tbsp) – If you don’t have olive oil, you can use avocado oil or flaxseed oil.
Lean ground beef (1 lb) – You can also use ground turkey or chicken for a lower-fat option. And, if you follow a plant-based diet you can use tofu or plant-based meat.
Yellow onion, chopped (1 large) – This adds some sweetness to the dish. If you don’t have yellow onions, you can use white onions or shallots.
Garlic powder (1 tbsp) – You can also use fresh garlic for a stronger taste or garlic flakes.
Italian seasoning (2 tsp) – Make sure you don’t skip this ingredient since it adds a lot of flavor to the dish.
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Cottage cheese (1 cup) – This adds creaminess and moisture to the dish without making it too overwhelming. If you don’t have cottage cheese, you can use ricotta cheese or a plant-based cheese for a vegetarian option.
Pasta sauce (24 oz jar) – I recommend using Marinara or homemade tomato sauce.
Mozzarella cheese, shredded (8 oz) – This adds a gooey topping to the casserole. If you don’t have mozzarella cheese, you can use cheddar or a cheese blend.
Remember, you can also use plant-based cheese for a vegetarian meal.
GARNISH
Basil, chopped
How to Make Lazy Lasagna Casserole
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350F. While it’s heating up, grease a 9×13 casserole dish. Place the pasta in a large pot with boiling water and cook according to the instructions.
Just make sure you cook it one minute less than instructed so you don’t overcook the pasta in the casserole dish.
Once the pasta is cooked, you’ll want to drain the pasta and remove as much of the water as possible so the casserole doesn’t drown in liquid.
Step 2. Grab a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, ground beef, onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3. Break the meat apart and mix all the ingredients. Cook the meat for 7-8 minutes or until the meat browns.
Step 4. Add the cottage cheese with the pasta sauce and mix all of the ingredients well inside the skillet.
Step 5. Mix everything thoroughly.
Step 6. Add in the cooked pasta that you’ve drained and set aside, and mix it in.
Step 7. Transfer the cooked mix from your skillet to the greased casserole dish. Grab a spatula and level everything out.
Step 8. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top of the casserole mix.
Step 9. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese bubbles and browns on the edges. Once you are ready to serve, garnish with chopped basil.
What Kind of Pasta is Best for Lasagna Casseroles?
When it comes to this lasagna casserole, I’ve found that the best option is penne pasta. Since it has a tubular shape, it holds the sauce nicely, creating the ultimate juicy bite.
However, you can always try other types of pasta.
You can explore making this dish with rigatoni or roti, a great option with baked dishes. The key is making sure you choose a pasta that can both hold up while it’s baking and blend with the rest of the ingredients.
How to Make It Lighter?
Here are my top tips for making this recipe lighter.
- Reduce the pasta and add zucchini noodles (or simply use zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly version).
- Use low-fat cheeses to reduce the calories and the fat content.
- Choose ground beef or ground turkey for lower-fat and calorie meat.
- Use a light or homemade pasta sauce to avoid adding hidden added sugars or calories.
Sides for This Lasagna Casserole
Ready to have this amazing meal? Here are some of my favorite sides to have with it.
- Caesar salad
- Air fryer asparagus
- Steamed vegetables
- Caprese salad
- Air fryer green beans
- Roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts
- Cheesy garlic broccoli
Storage and Leftovers
If you find yourself having leftovers (lucky!), you can store them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just make sure you let it cool down before transferring it to the container.
You can also place it in the freezer if you want to keep it for longer. Placing it in a freezer-friendly container can allow you to keep this casserole for up to 2 months.
When you are ready to enjoy it again, reheat it in the oven at 350F until it’s thoroughly warmed. You can also use the microwave, but I recommend using the oven.
You can also freeze the casserole just before you have to cook it. You can then pop it into the oven while frozen and cook 5-10 minutes longer until the sides of the casserole are bubbling.
Other Comforting Casseroles
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Casserole
- Tex Mex Casserole
- Meatballs Pasta Casserole
- Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Lazy Lasagna Casserole
8 Cals: 449 Protein: 32 Carbs: 28 Fat: 22
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked penne pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 24 oz jar of pasta sauce
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese shredded
Garnish
- Basil chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish. Boil penne pasta according to instructions, just 1 minute less than instructed, to keep it al dante. Drain it.
- Place a skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the olive oil, ground beef, onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper. Stir all of the ingredients together, breaking the meat apart. Cook for 7-8 minutes until the beef has browned.
- Add in the cottage cheese and stir it in well.
- Pour over the pasta sauce and mix well.
- Stir in the cooked pasta.
- Transfer the mixture to the greased casserole dish and level it out.
- Top up with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 15 until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on the edges.
- Garnish with chopped basil before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
