Introducing a delightful dish that combines the heartiness of a casserole with the beloved flavors of lasagna – presenting the delectable Casserole Lasagna! This recipe is a true winner, perfect for those busy weeknights when you crave comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen. With a prep time of just 20 minutes and a total cook time of 35 minutes, you can have this mouthwatering meal on the table in under an hour, making it a go-to option for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 cups cottage cheese
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 16 ounces lasagna noodles
- 4 cups pasta sauce
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 583.4
- Fat Content: 28.2g
- Saturated Fat Content: 13.1g
- Cholesterol Content: 92mg
- Sodium Content: 1448.8mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 43.2g
- Fiber Content: 1.6g
- Sugar Content: 16.2g
- Protein Content: 37.6g
Servings:
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings, ensuring there’s enough to feed the whole family or a gathering of friends.
Instructions:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when your casserole is prepared.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it’s thoroughly cooked. Once cooked, drain any excess fat from the beef.
- Next, stir in the pasta sauce into the cooked ground beef, creating a rich and savory meat sauce that will be the foundation of your casserole.
- In a separate pot, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until they’re al dente. Once cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside.
- Now, it’s time to assemble your Casserole Lasagna! In a baking dish, begin by layering the ingredients. Start with a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom of the dish, followed by a layer of lasagna noodles.
- Spread a generous layer of cottage cheese over the noodles, ensuring it’s evenly distributed. The creamy texture of the cottage cheese adds a luscious element to the dish.
- Sprinkle a portion of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the cottage cheese layer, adding that classic cheesy goodness that lasagna is known for.
- Repeat the layers until all of your ingredients are used, finishing with a final layer of mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to trap the heat and moisture, ensuring your Casserole Lasagna cooks evenly and stays moist throughout.
- Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Once cooked, remove the foil and allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. This brief resting period allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Tips and Tricks:
- To add extra flavor to your meat sauce, consider incorporating diced onions, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning for a robust and aromatic base.
- For a healthier twist, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef, and opt for low-fat cottage cheese and mozzarella cheese.
- Feel free to customize your Casserole Lasagna by adding layers of your favorite vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers, enhancing both the taste and nutritional value of the dish.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for longer-term storage. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave for a quick and satisfying meal anytime.
With its layers of savory meat sauce, creamy cottage cheese, gooey mozzarella cheese, and tender lasagna noodles, this Casserole Lasagna is sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or simply craving a comforting homemade meal, this easy-to-make dish will never disappoint. Enjoy the irresistible flavors and comforting warmth of this Casserole Lasagna recipe, brought to you by lovewithrecipes.com!
