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Meal Train Casserole

A cozy pasta casserole that's perfect for make-ahead dinners and freezing, with a cheesy, saucy layer that comforts picky eaters and busy families alike.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Italian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Protein
  • 12 oz penne, rotini, or rigatoni Use a sturdy pasta shape.
  • 1 lb ground turkey or ground beef Can be omitted for a vegetarian option.
Vegetables
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups chopped spinach or zucchini, optional Optional but nice.
Sauce and Cheese Layers
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste Optional for richer flavor.
  • 15 oz ricotta or cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded For topping.
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated For topping.
Seasonings
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt To taste.
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper To taste.
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes Optional, for heat.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Boil the pasta until just barely done, then drain.
  3. In a skillet, cook the ground turkey or beef with the chopped onion and minced garlic until meat is browned.
  4. Stir in the marinara sauce and optional chopped vegetables, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
  5. In a bowl, mix together the ricotta or cottage cheese with sour cream, salt, and pepper.
Assembly
  1. Layer half of the pasta in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Spread half of the meat sauce over the pasta.
  3. Spread half of the cheese mixture over the meat sauce.
  4. Repeat the layers finishing with the meat sauce on top.
  5. Top with shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Baking
  1. Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, about 25-35 minutes.
  2. Let it cool slightly before serving, or freeze for later use if desired.

Notes

Casserole can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When reheating, cover with foil to prevent browning too fast. For best results, thaw overnight before baking from frozen.