Lasagna Casserole: Classic Comfort, Made Easy
Lasagna Casserole has all the delicious flavors of traditional lasagna but with an easier, no-fuss method. Think savory bolognese, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella — a comforting meal for any occasion.
Lasagna Casserole
We love how easy and flexible this lasagna casserole is, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
The hearty bolognese, made with ground beef, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes, is packed with flavor, while the creamy ricotta, parmesan, and fresh herbs take the cheese layer to the next level.
Our go-to tip? Layer evenly and broil the top for that golden, bubbly crust. Whether it’s a family dinner or hosting friends, this dish always hits the spot!
If you’re craving more delicious pasta dishes from Bewitchin’ Kitchen, try Marry-Me Chicken Pasta, Broccoli Pasta, Fajita Pasta Salad, and Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta!
Why You Will Love This Lasagna Casserole
- All the flavors of classic lasagna with the ease of a casserole — perfect for busy nights or family gatherings.
- Layers of rich bolognese sauce with ground beef, garlic, and oregano, paired with a creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese mixture for the ultimate comfort food.
- Easy to customize with Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Prep it ahead of time for a stress-free meal that’s ready when you are!
How To Make Perfect Lasagna Casserole
Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
Prepare the bolognese Sauce: In a large skillet, cook chopped onion and carrot until softened. Add minced garlic and ground beef, cooking until the beef is browned. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Simmer covered for 30 minutes to blend the flavors. For a richer sauce, simmer longer (45 minutes to an hour) on low heat.
Mix the Cheese: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, shredded parmesan, basil, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined. For extra flavor, add Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes if desired.
Assemble the Casserole: Spread a third of the bolognese sauce in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer with lasagna sheets, followed by half of the cheese mixture and slices of mozzarella. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining bolognese sauce and mozzarella on top.
Bake: Cover the dish with lightly greased aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an extra 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a crispy top, broil briefly, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
Pro Tips
- Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole a day ahead to save time. If baking from cold, let it reach room temperature first or extend the bake time by 10-15 minutes. Distribute ingredients evenly to avoid dry or overly saucy spots.
- Even Layers: Spread the sauce, cheese, and pasta evenly to ensure every bite is balanced with no dry or overly saucy spots.
- Crispy Topping: Broil for 2-3 minutes after baking for a crispy, golden finish. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
Key Ingredients And Substitutions
- Ground Beef: The star of the meat sauce. For a lighter option, try lean ground beef or swap in ground turkey or chicken.
- Ricotta Cheese: Key for those creamy layers. No ricotta? Cottage cheese works as a great substitute.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully, but sliced mozzarella also creates lovely, gooey layers.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan adds a sharp, nutty kick. Romano cheese is a tasty alternative if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Tomato Sauce: The base of the sauce. Feel free to use marinara or pasta sauce for a different flavor.
- Lasagna Sheets: No-boil noodles are super convenient, but regular lasagna sheets work too — just boil them first.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil and parsley are ideal, but dried herbs work in a pinch — just use less since they’re more concentrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta in lasagna casserole?
Yes! To substitute, drain the cottage cheese to remove excess moisture, then blend it until smooth for a texture similar to ricotta. This keeps the cheese mixture rich and creamy without altering the dish’s consistency.
What’s the best dish for baking a lasagna casserole?
A 9×13-inch baking dish is ideal — it’s deep enough to hold all the layers without spilling and ensures even cooking. Dishes with lids are also handy for easy transport.
Can I use egg noodles instead of traditional lasagna noodles?
Yes! Boil the egg noodles slightly underdone to avoid mushiness. Layer them evenly and make sure they’re fully covered in sauce to prevent drying out.
Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes, layer the ingredients as you would in a baking dish. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, ensuring the pasta is fully submerged in sauce. The slow cooker gently melds the flavors for a delicious result.
Lasagna Casserole
Lasagna Casserole has all the delicious flavors of traditional lasagna but with an easier, no-fuss method. Think savory bolognese, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella — a comforting meal for any occasion.
Servings 6 Servings
Ingredients
Bolognese Sauce
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- 1 small Onion finely chopped
- 3 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 Carrot
- 2 cups Tomato Sauce
- 1 can Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz
- 1 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 1 cup Water
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz Ricotta Cheese
- 1 Egg beaten
- 14 oz Mozzarella Cheese sliced or shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Basil chopped (or 1 tsp dried basil)
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
Pasta
- 8 oz Dry Lasagna Sheets
Instructions
Prepare Bolognese Sauce
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped onion and chopped carrot. Once softened, add minced garlic and ground beef. Cook over medium heat until the meat is browned and the onion is tender.Â
- Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 30 minutes, covered with a lid to allow the flavors to meld. After simmering for 30 minutes, you can cook it longer (45 minutes to an hour) on low heat if you have extra time. This deepens the flavors and makes for a richer sauce.
Prepare Cheese Mixture
- Combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, shredded Parmesan, basil and parsley, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined.
Assemble the Casserole
- Spread â…“ of the bolognese sauce mixture in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover with lasagna sheets.Â
- Spoon ½ of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the pasta layer and top with some sliced mozzarella cheese. Add a layer of pasta and another third of the bolognese sauce, followed by pasta and the remaining ricotta with more mozzarella on top.
- Add one more layer of pasta, top with the remaining bolognese sauce, and add slices of mozzarella.
Bake
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- For more flavor, add a pinch of Italian seasoning or crushed red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture if you like a bit of heat.
- Aim to distribute the sauce, cheese, and pasta evenly across layers. Uneven layering can lead to parts of the casserole being too dry or too saucy.
- Grease the foil slightly before covering the casserole to prevent the cheese from sticking to it.
- For a crispy, golden-brown cheese topping, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.
- This casserole can be assembled a day ahead and kept in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature before baking, or add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
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