Lasagna Casserole Recipe (2024)

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It’s easy to think that lasagna is complicated and time consuming. However, it doesn’t have to be with this easy lasagna casserole! This Easy Lasagna bake is so quick and simple to make!

Lasagna Casserole Recipe (1)

Your family will love this easy lasagna casserole recipe!

We love easy casseroles around here. They are the perfect solution for dinner on a busy night. This Quick and Easy Lasagna Casserole is packed with meat, cheese and tons of flavor!

I always make one for dinner and another for the freezer. It doesn’t take any extra time and I have dinner for another night without any extra work. So helpful!

Don’t you just love when a meal is freezer friendly? It is so nice to have an extra for later. You are going to love this easy casserole recipe.

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Ingredients:

  • Ground Beef
  • Onion
  • Rotini Noodles
  • Crushed Tomatoes
  • Egg
  • Ricotta Cheese
  • Mozzarella Cheese
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Minced Garlic
  • Salt and Pepper
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How to make lasagna casserole

  • First, brown the ground beef and the onion until no longer pink. I like to boil the noodles for the casserole while the meat is cooking.
  • Second, mix together the crushed tomatoes, seasonings and the ground beef you just cooked.
  • Next, get the cheese mixture ready. You need to set aside half of the mozzarella cheese for later so you can sprinkle on the top.
  • Then mix the rest of the mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, and the egg together.
  • Finally, stir in the cooked pasta and make sure it is coated really well.
  • Put half of the pasta in the bottom of the baking pan. We used a 9×13 and it was perfect.
  • Next, add half of the meat mixture to the dish. Keep repeating until all of the pasta and meat is layered.
  • Now, grab the cheese you set aside earlier. Sprinkle on top of the casserole.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes. Oven times vary but you just want the cheese melted and the casserole bubbly.
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  • Once it comes out of the oven, let the casserole sit for 15 minutes before serving. This will make it easier to cut and serve.
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How to freeze

Make the casserole just like normal. However, don’t bake it. Freeze before baking and use a freezer friendly pan or a disposable pan.

When you are ready to eat, let the casserole thaw overnight in the fridge. Then bake at 350 for 1 hour covered. Enjoy!

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What to serve with lasagna casserole

We like to serve this with Garlic Bread Cheese Sticks. It’s so good!

Do you know how to freeze garlic bread? I do this all the time and it makes it super easy to take out on a busy night to enjoy.

Throw in a simple garden salad or steam broccoli in the microwave for a quick side dish! Talk about a delicious and easy meal!

WHAT KIND OF PASTA IS BEST

We used rotini but any type will be great. You can use what is in the pantry!

Other great ideas include: elbow, bowtie and penne. You can even break up lasagna noodles.

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The result of this Lasagna Style Pasta Bake:

My kids devoured this! I made 2 and we ate one and then froze one. We just ate the one from the freezer and it tasted as great as the first one.

It would actually be VERY easy to make several of these. You might want to put a few extra in the freezer for busy nights or when you need to take a meal to someone.

I created the recipe so that you only work once, but make two meals!

I hope your family enjoys! This really is a huge time saver and didn’t require any extra work.

HOW TO LIGHTEN IT UP:

  • Use ground turkey instead of the beef.
  • Omit the meat all together. The cheese and tomato mixture is so amazing that you can really just us that.
  • Use cottage cheese instead of ricotta in the cheese mixture.
  • Sneak in veggies! You can add carrots and zucchini to the tomato mixture.

Tips:

  • This recipe is perfect in a 9×13 casserole dish. The ones with the lid are really handy if you are taking this dish somewhere. I use the disposable pans for the one I put in the freezer.
  • Keep an extra casserole in the freezer to take to someone after surgery or that just had a baby.

Print this lasagna casserole recipe below:

Lasagna Casserole Recipe (9)

Review

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Lasagna Casserole

4.88 from 16 votes

This EASY lasagna casserole recipe is cheesy and oh so yummy! Quick and easy lasagna casserole is the best dinner for busy nights. You will love lasagna style pasta bake. Freeze this easy lasagna bake for a quick and easy meal.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings 12

Cuisine Italian

Course Main Course

Calories 356

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9X13 pan with a non-stick cooking spray.

  • Brown ground beef and onion until cooked. While the meat is cooking, boil the noodles according to package directions until al dente.

  • Mix crushed tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in with the meat mixture..

  • Reserve half of mozzarella cheese aside to sprinkle on the top of the casserole.

  • Combine the rest of the mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, beaten eggs together in a large bowl.

  • Then stir in the cooked pasta. Coat the pasta completely with the cheese mixture.

  • Place half of the pasta on the bottom of the 9X13 pan. Then place half of the meat mixture on top of the pasta.

  • Repeat the process until all of the pasta and meat mixture is layered in the pan. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.

  • Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes (until bubbly). Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

  • Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

This casserole freezes great! To freeze, prepare the casserole as directed in a foil 9X13 pan. Cover and freeze. Then when you are ready to bake, thaw it out overnight in the refrigerate and then bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 356kcal, Carbohydrates 35g, Protein 19g, Fat 15g, Saturated Fat 7g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 65mg, Sodium 352mg, Potassium 435mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 4g, Vitamin A 382IU, Vitamin C 7mg, Calcium 183mg, Iron 2mg

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Lasagna Casserole Recipe (10)

More easy lasagna recipes:

  • Easy Skillet Lasagna
  • Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
  • Easy Lazy Day Lasagna Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Lasagna Recipe
  • Crock Pot Mexican Lasagna Recipe
  • Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo Lasagna
  • Easy Pasta Bake
Lasagna Casserole Recipe (11)

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About the Author

Lasagna Casserole Recipe (20)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Lasagna Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between a casserole and a lasagna? ›

Casseroles are usually quick and easy. Some ingredients quickly stir together and are poured into a baking dish, topped with cheese, and baked. A traditional lasagna takes more time. Multiple layers, all made separately, then put together before baking.

Which is better for lasagna cottage or ricotta? ›

The key to creating the absolute best lasagna is to use a combination of ricotta and cottage cheese. Ricotta brings the rich creaminess while cottage cheese lightens things up and seasons the whole dish. For even more cheese, we recommend also using shredded Mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano).

What is the best order to layer lasagna? ›

Begin Layering

After the initial sauce layer, add a layer of pasta sheets, ricotta mixture (or bechamel), sauce, and cheese. Then repeat the layers. Top the last layer of your lasagna with sauce and cheese. You can also alternate layers of sauce and ricotta cheese.

Should I bake lasagna in a glass or aluminum pan? ›

Glass and Metal React to Ingredients Differently

Acidic ingredients like tomatoes and citrus can react with aluminum (the most common metal used in bakeware), creating a metallic taste in your food. This is why lasagna and other casseroles with acidic ingredients are often baked in glass.

Is oven ready lasagna better than regular lasagna? ›

Texture is key with lasagna

While much of the dish's texture is soft and warm, the noodles serve as the foundation of the dish. Thus, you'll want that ideal al dente pasta texture. With oven-ready lasagna sheets, the integrity is lost.

Do you bake lasagna covered or uncovered? ›

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until cheese is golden brown, 5 to 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

How do you layer lasagna so it doesn't fall apart? ›

In a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) glass baking dish, add a layer of bolognese to the bottom. Top with noodles, then spread a layer of the ricotta mixture on top. Repeat with another layer of bolognese, noodles, ricotta, noodles, bolognese, then top with mozzarella and additional Parmesan.

Does white sauce go on every layer of lasagne? ›

Carry on alternating the tomato sauce, lasagne sheets and white sauce until you get to the top of the dish, or your sauces run out! Finish off your lasagne either with a layer of tomato-based sauce or with your white sauce – whichever you have left – and then grate over plenty of Parmigiano-Reggiano.

What can I add to my lasagna to make it taste better? ›

Sugar: Two tablespoons of white sugar add subtle sweetness and enhance the flavor of the sauce. Spices and seasonings: This lasagna recipe is flavored with fresh parsley, dried basil leaves, salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper. Lasagna noodles: Use store-bought or homemade lasagna noodles.

Does lasagna cook better in glass or metal? ›

Some acidic bakes (like fruit cobblers) and lasagna or casserole (containing tomatoes, citrus, or other acidic fruit) may bake best in a glass dish, to prevent the metal from reacting to the acidic ingredients.

Why do you put milk in lasagna? ›

The secret ingredient? Milk. It tenderises the meat, to leave you with the most tender ragù. Use a deep dish and find out how to layer a lasagne.

What makes a casserole a casserole? ›

Casseroles Are Largely Defined by Their Baking Dish

agrees, telling us that "a casserole is baked in a casserole dish—a deep baking dish. The word casserole comes from a French word meaning 'saucepan. '"

What do Italians call casserole? ›

casseruola. an earthenware casserole. the food cooked in a casserole. (cibo cotto in casseruola)

What is the difference between lasagna and lasagne? ›

In Italian, lasagna is the singular form of the noun, referring to a single flat sheet of the pasta, while lasagne is the plural form and thus the go-to word for the whole dish, which is made up of many sheets of pasta.

What do the French call a casserole? ›

In France, un casserole refers specifically to a saucepan, and nothing else. However, une cassolette—a baked dish that's akin to what Americans call a casserole—is somewhat popular in French home cooking.

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