Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than package directions; it should be just under al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Break it apart and cook until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat, if any.
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to slightly thicken.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce. Mix well to coat all pasta.
- Spread half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan. Add the rest of the pasta, followed by the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
To make this dish vegetarian, substitute ground meat with plant-based meat or add extra vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers.
This recipe is easy to double for a crowd or halve for a smaller household.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
For creamier texture, add 1/2 cup ricotta or cottage cheese between the pasta layers.