Lasagna Casserole
+7 photos

Lasagna Casserole

6 servings
This lasagna casserole made with pasta shells, ground beef, sausage, mozzarella, and ricotta is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter night.

Ingredients

  • box jumbo pasta shells
    1
  • extra-virgin olive oil

    divided

    ¼ c
  • ground sirloin
    1 lb
  • italian sausage

    hot or sweet

    1 lb
  • yellow onion

    finely chopped

    1 small
  • garlic

    thinly sliced

    6 cloves
  • jar prepared marinara sauce
    1
  • loosely packed fresh basil leaves
    1 c
  • crushed red pepper flakes
    ½ tsp
  • container whole milk ricotta cheese
    1
  • finely grated parmigiano-reggiano plus additional for serving
    ¼ c
  • heavy whipping cream
    ¼ c
  • kosher salt
    1 tsp
  • shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
    1 ½ c
  • cooking spray

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Set a rack in the center of the oven, about 10 inches from the heat source.

  2. 2

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shells and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost tender, about 7 minutes. Drain pasta in a colander. Return to pot and toss with 1 tablespoon oil.

    Step 2
  3. 3

    Meanwhile, heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sirloin and sausage and cook, undisturbed, until bottom side is lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Stir, and continue to cook, stirring and breaking up meat into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 4 minutes.

    Step 3
  4. 4

    Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes.

    Step 4
  5. 5

    Stir in marinara sauce, basil, and crushed red pepper. Remove ragu from heat.

    Step 5
  6. 6

    Stir together ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, cream, and salt in a bowl.

    Step 6
  7. 7

    To assemble, spread about 2 cups of the ragu in the bottom of a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Spoon 1/2 of the pasta over sauce. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over pasta, and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Spoon remaining pasta over mozzarella cheese. Spread remaining ragu over pasta mixture, and dollop with remaining ricotta mixture. Top with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover lasagna with a large sheet of aluminum foil that's been lightly sprayed with cooking spray (to prevent the cheese from sticking to it).

    Step 7
  8. 8

    Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and remove foil. Increase oven temperature to broil with rack about 10 inches from heat source; preheat 5 minutes. Return baking dish to oven. Broil until cheese is browned in spots, 5 to 8 minutes.

    Step 8
Lasagna Casserole
+7

Lasagna Casserole

85 min6 servings914 cal

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About this Recipe

When the craving for ultimate comfort food hits, especially on a chilly evening, nothing quite satisfies like a hearty, cheesy lasagna. This Lasagna Casserole takes all the beloved flavors of traditional lasagna and presents them in a wonderfully scoopable, family-friendly format that's perfect for a cozy winter night.

Why This Recipe Works

This isn't just a basic casserole; it's a symphony of textures and rich tastes. By combining both savory ground sirloin and flavorful Italian sausage (whether hot or sweet, it's your call!), you get a depth of meaty goodness that stands up to the creamy ricotta and gooey mozzarella. The jumbo pasta shells provide the perfect vehicle to capture all that delicious sauce and cheese, making every forkful truly satisfying.

What to Expect

Prepare yourself for a deeply satisfying experience. You'll enjoy a robust, meaty marinara sauce brightened by fresh basil and a subtle kick from crushed red pepper flakes, if you choose. Nestled among these rich flavors is a luscious, creamy ricotta mixture, enhanced with Parmigiano-Reggiano and a touch of heavy cream, creating an irresistible texture. Finally, the generous layer of melted, bubbly mozzarella brings everything together into one glorious, comforting dish. It’s a hearty meal designed to feed six hungry people, promising warmth and contentment with every bite.

Customization & Variations

Feel free to adjust this casserole to your preferences. For a milder flavor profile, opt for sweet Italian sausage and omit the crushed red pepper flakes. If you're a spice enthusiast, lean into the hot Italian sausage and a bit more red pepper. While ground sirloin and Italian sausage offer a fantastic combination, you could experiment with other ground meats if you prefer. Fresh basil is key to the bright flavor, but dried can be used in a pinch, just reduce the amount.

Serving & Context

This Lasagna Casserole is the quintessential cold-weather dinner, ideal for bringing the family together around the table. Serve it warm straight from the oven, perhaps with a simple green salad and some crusty bread to soak up any extra sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions