Lasagna Casserole

Ingredients

• 12 ounces campanelle
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup onion, (diced)
• 6 cloves garlic, (divided, minced )
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce
• 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning, (divided)
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup fresh basil
• 3 cups mozzarella, (divided)
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan (divided)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

2. 2

   Cook pasta (12 ounces) in well-salted water per package instructions until just al dente. Save 1/2 cup of the cooking water before draining. Drain well. Return drained pasta to the cooking pot.

3. 3

   In a large skillet, add olive oil (1 tablespoon) and sauté onion (½ cup) and garlic (4 cloves) over medium heat until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Add (4 cloves) garlic and continue sauté until it's fragrant about 1 minute.

4. 4

   Add ground beef (1 pound), salt (1 teaspoon), and pepper to onions and garlic and continue to cook over medium heat until there is no longer any pink in the beef. Drain and discard excess fat.

5. 5

   Add the marinara sauce (2 jars), Italian seasoning (2 teaspoons), and reserved pasta water (1/2 cup) and cook until heated through. Pour sauce over drained pasta (in the pot pasta was cooked in) and toss to coat.

6. 6

   In a mixing bowl, stir together the remaining (2 cloves garlic), ricotta cheese (15 ounces), egg (1), nutmeg (1/8 teaspoon), fresh basil (1/4 cup), remaining Italian seasoning (2 teaspoons) until evenly combined. Add 2 cups of mozzarella and 1 cup Parmesan and stir until combined.

7. 7

   --- Easy Assembly ---

8. 8

   Pour half the pasta in prepared baking dish, spread the cheese mixture over the pasta layer, then pour the remaining pasta over cheese layer. Use a spatula to press down the casserole.

9. 9

   Spray one side of a large sheet of aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray. Cover casserole with foil, sprayed side touching casserole. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.

10. 10

    Remove foil, top with remaining Mozzarella (1 cup) and remaining Parmesan (1/2 cup), return to the oven and bake uncovered, for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. If you'd like the top more browned, place under the broiler until browned to your liking.