Lasagna Casserole
This hearty lasagna casserole layers radiatori pasta, savory ground beef, cottage cheese, and melted mozzarella in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 633kcal
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.
Nutrition
Calories: 633kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 1377mg | Potassium: 857mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 992IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 407mg | Iron: 4mg