Amy’s Lasagna-Style Casserole

May 10, 2023May 10, 20230 14
Amy’s Lasagna-Style Casserole, a delicious comfort food recipe
in Casserole

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 hour

Ready In

1 hour 30 min

Level

Easy

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

4 cups spaghetti sauce , recipe below
1 lb penne or 1 lb rotini pasta
1 egg , beaten
15 ounces ricotta cheese or 1 small curd cottage cheese
8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese , softened
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese ( reserve 1/2 cup for top )
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese ( reserve 2 T. for top )
salt and pepper
1/4 cup fresh parsley , finely chopped ( or use 1 T. dried parsley )
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion , chopped
2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
1 lb ground beef ( I substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage )
4 ounces pepperoni , chopped ( optional )
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
28 ounces water
15 ounces tomato sauce
6 ounces tomato paste
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil ( or use 1 T. dried basil )
fennel seed , and
crushed red pepper flakes , ground
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
12
Calories
510
Sugar
10g
Fat
28g
Amy’s Lasagna-Style Casserole is a twist on traditional lasagna that's just as satisfying. It's hearty, rich, and filled with layers of delicious noodles, meat, and cheese. The sauce is slow-cooked to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld together. The addition of penne pasta instead of lasagna noodles is a fun twist that adds texture to the dish. This recipe can be made for large gatherings, family dinners, or potlucks. It's a filling and comforting dish that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Instructions

1.Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2.Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3.In a medium bowl, mix together the beaten egg, ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, and 2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
4.Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up any large chunks with a wooden spoon.
5.Add the crushed tomatoes, water, tomato sauce, tomato paste, parmesan cheese, fresh basil, fennel seed, crushed red pepper flakes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
6.Simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly. Remove the bay leaf.
7.Transfer half of the cooked pasta to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover the pasta with half of the spaghetti sauce. Add the ricotta cheese mixture in an even layer on top of the sauce. Add the remaining pasta and cover with the remaining spaghetti sauce.
8.Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese on top of the casserole. If desired, add the chopped pepperoni on top.
9.Bake the casserole for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

PROS

Amy’s Lasagna-Style Casserole is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect comfort food.

It’s filling, delicious, and can feed a large number of people.
It can also be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.

CONS

This recipe contains a fair amount of cheese and pasta, which could be considered high in calories if consumed in large amounts.
It may not be the best option for individuals with lactose intolerance.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While this recipe may not be the healthiest, it does contain some nutrients. The tomato sauce is a rich source of antioxidants like lycopene, which has been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Additionally, the small amount of olive oil used in this recipe provides some healthy fats.

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