Lazy Lasagna is a delightful and straightforward twist on the classic Italian dish, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave comfort food without the hassle of layering traditional lasagna. This recipe combines the hearty flavors of rigatoni pasta with a rich and savory meat sauce, all topped with a creamy ricotta and gooey mozzarella cheese. The preparation begins with cooking the pasta to al dente, ensuring it maintains a firm texture that holds up well under the rich sauce. As the pasta cooks, you can chop the vegetables and prepare the other ingredients, streamlining the process and saving valuable time.
The key to this dish’s robust flavor lies in the harmonious blend of ground sausage, onions, mushrooms, and garlic, all cooked together until the sausage is browned and the vegetables are tender. The sauce, made with your favorite jarred pasta sauce, simmers gently with the cooked sausage and vegetables, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Once the sauce is ready, it’s combined with the cooked pasta, creating a hearty mixture that’s then topped with a ricotta cheese blend seasoned with Italian herbs and spices. A generous layer of shredded mozzarella completes the dish, which is then gently heated until the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden topping. The result is a comforting, cheesy pasta dish that delivers all the flavors of lasagna with minimal effort, making it a perfect go-to meal for any night of the week.
Lazy Lasagna Pasta
Ingredients
- 16 oz Rigatoni Pasta or any pasta with grooves
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 2 Tbsp Avocado Oil
- 1 lb ground sausage mild or hot
- 1 onion diced
- 8 oz mushrooms sliced thin
- 2-3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 jars 24 oz each pasta sauce
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese shredded
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
Cook Pasta:
- In a large pot, add salt and water and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before straining.
Prepare Ingredients:
- While pasta is cooking, chop the onions, mushrooms, and mince the garlic.
Cook Sausage:
- Return the pot to the stove over medium heat and add some avocado oil.
- Cook the sausage, breaking it up as it cooks.
Add Vegetables:
- Once the sausage is about halfway cooked, add mushrooms and onions.
- Cook for 5 minutes.
Mix Ricotta:
- In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Combine Ingredients:
- When sausage, mushrooms, and onions are almost cooked, add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Slowly add pasta sauce and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Fold in the pasta and mix until well combined.
- Add ½ cup of reserved pasta water if the mixture needs thinning.
- Gently press down the pasta and top with the ricotta mixture. Spread it evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Melt Cheese:
- Place the lid on the pot and turn heat to low-medium.
- Let the cheese melt completely.
Serve:
- Serve hot, alongside Focaccia Parmesan Breadsticks if desired.