Everyone loves a classic lasagna recipe, but time is often a testy factor when it comes to producing a family-sized traditional lasagna. With this incredibly simple lasagna casserole, your lasagna can be prepared, cooked and served on the dinner table in only an hour! What's even better, this recipe consists of only three layers, with the cheese and pasta mixed together and the sauce added over the top to ensure a saucy, cheesy forkful with every bite.
Lasagna is always a wonderful vehicle when it comes to using up your favorite cheeses. Feel free to experiment (and get the little ones involved) with your favorite cheese mixture to blend in with the pasta. This dish has everything that you want in a family dinner — pasta, meat, cheese and enough time leftover to spend with the family!
Lasagna Casserole
4-6
20 minutes
45 minutes
1 hour, 5 minutes
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 white onion, small diced
16 ounces pasta shells, cooked
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup cottage cheese
8 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried thyme
24-ounce jar tomato sauce
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions and then drain. Pour the cooked pasta into a large bowl and mix together with the egg, half of the mozzarella, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, Parmesan, oregano, parsley and thyme.
Pour the pasta into the bottom of a 3-quart casserole dish.
Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Brown the ground beef and chopped onions. Pour the beef over the pasta. Spread the tomato sauce on top. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes, or until the tomato sauce is bubbling.
Sprinkle the remaining half of the mozzarella cheese over the top and allow it to melt over the casserole before serving.
For a golden crust of mozzarella cheese, set the oven to broil and place the casserole with the mozzarella topping in the oven. Broil for 8 minutes, or until the mozzarella is golden and bubbling.
