Easy Baked Meat Pasta (Lazy Lasagna)
This baked pasta dish is similar to lasagna but much easier to prepare. Instead of layering pasta sheets, cooked pasta is mixed with a rich meat sauce and baked with melted mozzarella on top. The result is a comforting casserole with classic Italian flavors that is simple enough for beginner cooks but still tastes like homemade lasagna.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 28g
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- 1
Fill a large pot with about 4–5 cups of water.
- 2
Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high.
- 3
Wait until the water begins boiling rapidly with large bubbles.
- 4
Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water.
- 5
Add the pasta to the pot.
- 6
Stir the pasta once so it does not stick together.
- 7
Cook the pasta for 8–10 minutes, or until it is soft but still slightly firm.
- 8
Pour the pasta into a strainer to drain the water.
- 9
Set the pasta aside.
- 10
Place a large skillet or pan on the stove.
- 11
Turn the heat to medium heat.
- 12
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan.
- 13
Add the ground beef or sausage.
- 14
Break the meat apart using a wooden spoon.
- 15
Cook the meat for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes browned.
- 16
If using onion, add it now and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- 17
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- 18
Pour the marinara sauce into the pan.
- 19
Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- 20
Stir everything together.
- 21
Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes so the flavors combine.
- 22
Turn the stove off.
- 23
Add the cooked pasta into the pan with the sauce.
- 24
Stir until the pasta is completely coated with the sauce.
- 25
Add the ricotta cheese and mix gently.
- 26
Turn the oven on and preheat it to 375°F (190°C).
- 27
Lightly grease a large baking dish with a small amount of olive oil.
- 28
Pour the pasta mixture into the baking dish.
- 29
Spread it evenly using a spoon.
- 30
Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly across the top.
- 31
Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the mozzarella.
- 32
Place the baking dish into the oven.
- 33
Bake for 18–20 minutes.
- 34
The pasta is ready when the cheese is fully melted and lightly golden.
- 35
Carefully remove the dish from the oven.
- 36
Let it cool for about 5 minutes so the pasta sets slightly.
- 37
Scoop portions onto plates and serve warm.
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