When you’re craving the comforting, hearty goodness of lasagna but don’t have the time to spend hours in the kitchen, this easy Lasagna Casserole is the perfect solution! Layers of tender pasta, rich, savory meat sauce, and a creamy three-cheese blend come together to form a simplified version of everyone’s favorite comfort dish!
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This homemade pasta bake recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or as a crowd-pleasing dish to bring to potlucks. With creamy cottage cheese, a flavorful seasoned meat sauce, and ridged pasta layered together, this lasagna casserole delivers all the comforting flavors of traditional lasagna without the extra prep. It’s everything you love about lasagna, with a fraction of the work!
Serve this cheesy comfort food with a crisp side salad, garlic breadsticks, or simply enjoy it on its own for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick Prep: Enjoy all the flavors of lasagna with just 20 minutes of prep time—no complicated layering required!
- Family Favorite: Packed with hearty meat sauce, creamy cheese, and pasta, it’s a hit with both kids and adults. For more hearty meat sauce dishes, try my Easy Pizza Casserole or Beefy Pasta Bake!
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake when ready for an effortless meal.
- Freezer-Friendly: Perfect for busy weeks, this dish freezes well and reheats beautifully.
- Time-Saving: Skip the hassle of traditional lasagna (even those this truly is the World's Greatest Lasagna) without sacrificing flavor or comfort.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for potlucks, gatherings, or a cozy family dinner everyone will love.
Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 375ºF and prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray, then gather the ingredients for this hearty and delicious pasta casserole!
- Radiatori pasta has perfect ridged and ruffled edges that hold in the flavors of the meat sauce and cheese blend, ensuring flavor in every bite!
- Ground beef is rich, savory, and flavorful. It adds hearty protein and texture to the casserole.
- Onion and Garlic are classic seasonings that enhance the flavor of the meat sauce and the overall taste of the casserole.
- Your favorite spaghetti sauce provides the perfect base for the ground beef and other ingredients of the casserole. Whether you use a homemade tomato sauce or your favorite store bought variation, it adds the perfect personalized touch to this dish.
- Petite diced tomatoes add texture and some fresh tomato flavor to the casserole.
- Milk helps with the creaminess of the casserole and ensures that the sauce is not too thick.
- Italian seasoning is a blend of flavorful herbs and spices that elevate the taste even more.
- Cottage cheese is creamy, rich, and velvety, helping to create the smooth cheesy layer of this casserole.
- Mozzarella cheese is perfectly melty and gooey and creates a crispy golden-brown topping to your casserole.
- Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, salty flavor to the casserole.
- Eggs bind the lasagna layers together and help the cheesy layer set so it’s not too runny.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Ground Beef Substitutes: Swap ground beef for ground Italian sausage, turkey, chicken, or pork for a different flavor. For a vegetarian option, try plant-based crumbles or lentils.
- Make it Extra Creamy: Replace tomato sauce with Alfredo sauce for a creamier version, or mix in heavy cream for added richness.
- Other Pasta Shapes: Use pasta like penne, cavatappi, elbow macaroni, or ziti for a unique twist on texture.
- Cheese Variations: Swap cottage cheese for ricotta for a creamier texture, or experiment with cheeses like provolone or gouda. You could do the same with my classic lasagna recipe.
- Add Veggies: Incorporate sautéed spinach, zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta and sauces to make the dish suitable for gluten-free diets.
How to Make This Easy Lasagna Casserole Recipe
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, follow the steps below for a simplified and satisfying take on classic lasagna!
- Step 1: Brown the ground beef in a skillet, add onions and garlic until softened, then stir in spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, milk, and seasoning; simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Step 3: Put half of the cooked pasta in your prepared baking dish and cover it with half of the meat mixture.
- Step 4: Spread all of the cottage cheese mixture over top.
- Step 5: Layer the remaining pasta, top with the remaining meat mixture, and finish with an even layer of mozzarella cheese.
- Step 6: Cover and bake for 25 minutes, uncover and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly, then let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Helpful Tips
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Follow package directions to avoid mushy or undercooked pasta.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic, herbs, and cheese enhance flavor but aren’t required.
- Layer Evenly: Uniform layers ensure even cooking and balanced flavor.
- Customize Layers: Add extra cheese, sauce, or veggies to suit your preferences.
- Let It Rest: Allow the casserole to stand for 10 minutes after baking for easier serving.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts better and avoids additives.
- Cover While Baking: Cover with foil to prevent the cheese from browning too quickly, uncover for the last 10 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
This dish is super convenient for preparing in advance and heating up throughout the week. Assemble the casserole as directed and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking.
Absolutely! Any smaller pasta like penne, elbow macaroni, or fusilli works well and holds the sauce and cheese beautifully.
To prevent a watery casserole, cook pasta al dente, thicken the sauce by simmering, and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to set before slicing.
Yes, ricotta cheese is a great substitute for a smoother and slightly richer texture.
Cover the casserole with foil while baking to retain moisture and uncover it during the last 10 minutes for a golden, bubbly top.
Serve it with a crisp green salad, Twice Baked Mashed Potato Casserole, or Air Fryer Balsamic Roasted Vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage Instructions
To store your leftover lasagna casserole, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can reheat in the microwave or oven at 375ºF for 15-20 minutes or until it is heated through.
Freezing Instructions
This recipe is great for making ahead and freezing. For uncooked casserole, assemble, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. For cooked casserole, cool, cover, and freeze for the same duration. Thaw overnight before cooking or reheating.
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Lasagna Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 ounces radiatori pasta (prepared according to package directions)
- 1 pound ground beef (thawed)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 24 ounce jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
- 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- Garnish with fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF.
- Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef until no pink remains.
- Add onions and garlic. Continue cooking until they are translucent.
- Add spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, milk, and Italian seasoning to ground beef mixture. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes or until mixture thickens a bit.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Put half of the cooked pasta in your prepared baking dish.
- Cover it with half of the meat mixture.
- Spread all of the cottage cheese mixture over top.
- Next, add a layer of the remaining pasta and then the remaining meat mixture.
- Finish by evenly spreading the remaining mozzarella cheese over top.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Allow casserole to stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Follow package directions to avoid mushy or undercooked pasta.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic, herbs, and cheese enhance flavor but aren’t required.
- Layer Evenly: Uniform layers ensure even cooking and balanced flavor.
- Customize Layers: Add extra cheese, sauce, or veggies to suit your preferences.
- Let It Rest: Allow the casserole to stand for 10 minutes after baking for easier serving.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts better and avoids additives.
- Cover While Baking: Cover with foil to prevent the cheese from browning too quickly, uncover for the last 10 minutes.
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