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Lasagna Casserole with Three Cheeses

All the cheesy, saucy goodness of traditional lasagna without the fussy layering! This deconstructed version is my go-to when I'm craving comfort food but don't have an hour to spend assembling perfect layers. Trust me, your family won't miss the presentation when they taste all that melty cheese!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 12 oz pasta penne or rotini work great
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish optional

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, drain, and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage with the diced onion until the meat is cooked through and the onion is softened, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Drain any excess fat.
  4. Stir in the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, 1 cup mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
  6. In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, mix together the cooked pasta and meat sauce until well combined.
  7. Drop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta, then gently swirl it in (it doesn't need to be perfectly mixed).
  8. Top with the remaining 2 cups mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan cheese.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
  10. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired!