Quick and Creamy Lasagna Bake
This Quick and Creamy Lasagna Bake is a delightful shortcut to the classic Italian dish that delivers all the rich flavors and comfort of traditional lasagna without the lengthy preparation time. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe combines savory ground beef, velvety cream cheese, and a zesty tomato sauce layered with tender pasta and gooey mozzarella. In just half an hour, you can serve up a comforting meal that your family will love, making it an ideal solution for those evenings when time is short but great taste is still desired.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Beef
1 lb (Cooked and crumbled)
Noodles
16 ounces (Cooked (elbows or any pasta of your choice))
Tomato Sauce
16 ounces (Ready to use)
Crushed Tomatoes
16 ounces (Ready to use)
Cream Cheese
4 ounces (Softened)
Sour Cream
1 pint (Ready to use)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
2 cups (Divided (1 cup for topping))
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon (To taste)
Oregano
1 teaspoon (To taste)
Basil
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
3
Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
4
Once the beef is cooked, add the cream cheese to the skillet and mix until smooth and creamy.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, basil, and the beef and cream cheese mixture. Stir until everything is well incorporated.
6
Transfer the mixture into a greased 13x9 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
7
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top.
8
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and slightly golden.
9
Allow the dish to stand for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Quick and Creamy Lasagna Bake?
It is a delightful shortcut to classic Italian lasagna that combines ground beef, cream cheese, and tomato sauce for a rich, comforting meal in about 30 minutes.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What kind of meat is used in this lasagna bake?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of ground beef, cooked and crumbled.
What type of noodles should I use?
You can use 16 ounces of elbows or any pasta of your choice, cooked al dente.
How much cream cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 4 ounces of softened cream cheese.
What makes this lasagna bake creamy?
The combination of softened cream cheese and one pint of sour cream provides its signature creamy texture.
What tomato products are included?
The recipe uses 16 ounces of tomato sauce and 16 ounces of crushed tomatoes.
How much mozzarella cheese is used in total?
A total of 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese is used.
How is the mozzarella cheese divided?
One cup is mixed into the pasta and beef mixture, while the remaining 1 cup is used for the topping.
What spices are used to season the bake?
The seasoning includes salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and basil.
Should I drain the ground beef?
Yes, you should drain any excess fat after browning the ground beef.
How do I incorporate the cream cheese?
Once the beef is cooked, add the cream cheese to the skillet and mix until smooth and creamy.
What size baking dish should I use?
The mixture should be transferred into a greased 13x9 inch baking dish.
How long does the dish bake for?
It should be baked uncovered for 15 minutes.
How do I know when the lasagna bake is finished?
It is done when the cheese is bubbling and slightly golden.
Should the dish stand before serving?
Yes, allow the dish to stand for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is designed as a shortcut meal for busy weeknights when time is short.
Can I use different types of pasta?
Yes, while elbows are mentioned, you can use any pasta of your choice.
How much garlic powder is required?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
How much oregano is added?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of oregano.
Is there basil in the recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of basil is used for seasoning.
What is the amount of salt and pepper needed?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
Do I need to cover the dish while baking?
No, the instructions specify to bake the dish uncovered.
What is the preparation for the crushed tomatoes?
The crushed tomatoes should be ready to use, as they are mixed directly into the sauce.
Can this be described as comfort food?
Absolutely, it is tagged as a comfort food and a family meal.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 specific ingredients used in this recipe.
Is the beef mixed with the noodles before baking?
Yes, the cooked beef and cream cheese mixture is stirred into the noodles and sauce before transferring to the baking dish.
What is the texture of the noodles supposed to be?
The noodles should be cooked until they are al dente.
How much sour cream is used?
The recipe calls for 1 pint of sour cream.
Is this a one-dish dinner?
Yes, it is categorized as a one-dish dinner for easy serving and cleanup.