Description
Easy Bow Tie Pasta Lasagna is a delicious and comforting Italian-American casserole that combines tender bow tie pasta with a savory ground beef marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese. This one-dish bake simplifies traditional lasagna preparation with a quick stovetop sauce and layering technique, making it perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese
- 12 oz bow tie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce and Meat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pasta lasagna.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bow tie pasta until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the cooked pasta with the meat sauce and ricotta cheese until everything is evenly coated.
- Layer in Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly, then pour in the pasta mixture and spread it evenly. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired to add color and freshness.
Notes
- For a leaner option, substitute ground turkey in place of ground beef or sausage.
- Add sautéed spinach or zucchini to the pasta and sauce mixture for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- This casserole is great for meal prepping or bringing to potlucks as it reheats well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 630mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
