Description
A comforting and easy baked pasta casserole that combines the flavors of lasagna with the fun shape of bowtie pasta. Perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 12-16 ounces Bowtie pasta (farfalle) (Cook until just barely tender.)
- 24-32 ounces Marinara sauce (Store-bought is fine.)
Meat and Cheese
- 1 pound Ground beef or Italian sausage (Optional but adds heartiness.)
- 1 cup Ricotta (Cottage cheese is a substitute.)
- 2-3 cups Shredded mozzarella (For topping.)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (Plus more for topping.)
- 1 large Egg (Helps set the ricotta layer.)
Seasonings and Garnishes
- 1 medium Onion (Chopped.)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced or use garlic powder.)
- to taste Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes (Adjust according to preference.)
- to garnish Fresh basil or parsley (For garnish.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Boil the pasta in salted water until just barely tender, about a minute less than package instructions. Drain and toss with a splash of olive oil.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef or sausage with chopped onion. Add garlic at the end and drain excess grease if needed.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg (if using), parmesan, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Combine pasta with marinara and cooked meat, reserving a little sauce for the top.
Assembly
- In a baking dish, layer half the saucy pasta, dollop the ricotta mixture, and then add the remaining pasta.
- Top with mozzarella and additional parmesan cheese.
Baking
- Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes.
- Uncover and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until bubbly. Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Feel free to customize with veggies, different cheeses, or spices as desired. This recipe can also be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian