Skip to main content

Deconstructed Lasagna - Pizzagna

This pasta bake has all the components of traditional lasagna: noodles, tomato sauce, meat, onions, garlic, ricotta and mozzarella cheese.  Instead of layering, it's all just tossed together and sprinkled with cheese, a much easier and quicker dish.

One night this Fall I was eating dinner with my then-4 year old nephew and he was a little wary of it, as 4 year olds tend to be.  We described it to him as a combination of pizza and lasagna.  He said, I don't know if I like pizzagna, and then ate most of it.

Not-Lasagna Pasta Bake or Pizzagna

Ingredients:
olive oil
1 pound ground turkey, chicken or beef - I used ground turkey
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
2 cups uncooked pasta (I used rotini)
1/4-1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/2-1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

In a large saute pan or soup pot (something with at least 2 inch sides), heat a little olive oil and brown the ground meat.  When browned, transfer the meat to a colander to drain and wipe out the pan (no need to fully wash it, it's all going back in eventually).
Heat a Tablespoon of olive oil in the pan over medium heat and add the onion and saute for 2-3 minutes.  Add the garlic, cook one minute more.  Stir in the crushed tomatoes and spices and allow to simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors.

Bring your water to a boil, add the pasta and cook until just barely al dente.  You'll be baking the final dish, so the pasta will continue to cook in the sauce.
Stir ground meat back into the tomato sauce, and add the pasta when ready.

Stir in ricotta cheese and pour into a baking dish.

Top with mozzarella cheese and bake in a 400 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

My big sister and the egg sandwich that might cure her cancer

I usually like to keep things light hearted here At Home With Ann.  Simple recipes, awkward jokes, toddler antics and kitchen fiascos.  But we all experience times in life when we are thrown for a loop and face something that stops us in our tracks.  I, like a classic control freak, tend to keep things to myself.   Everything is under control, see? My house is clean, dinner is cooked, the dishes are done, I'm on schedule, I blow dried my hair, I don't need help.  See?  See?   But this time it's not about me, it's not something I can control, and wishing it away won't actually make it go away. Me, my Mom and Sarah last Summer Three years ago my sister, Sarah, was diagnosed with a form of leukemia called AML (acute myeloid leukemia).  My reaction was typical.  This happens to other people.  Not my 33 year old sister who lives by the ocean, gets tons of fresh air and exercise, and eats healthier than anyone who has ever entered Whole...

Peanut Sauce Spaghetti Squash Bowls

I know, it's been a while. Turns out wrangling three little boys doesn't leave a lot of time for recipe writing and food photos. We still eat, though, and pretty well! Mostly I share quick recipes and meals on my Facebook page At Home With Ann , so please follow me there! I love spaghetti squash as a substitute for pasta. It's healthy, way lower in carbs and higher in vitamins.  It's also easier to prep than zucchini noodles, and I think it stands up to hearty sauces better.  I simply stab it with a sharp knife a few times, and roast it in a 400 degree oven for an hour, or until a knife easily slides through the skin.  Let cool, cut open, discard seeds and shred with a fork.  Spaghetti squash with meatballs is in our regular dinner rotation, but there is often a lot of leftover squash.  This easy vegetarian dish is a perfect quick dinner or lunch, and if your kids don't go for the peanut sauce, there is plenty of cut veggies for them to eat. Peanut Sauce Spa...

Not Really Engagement Chicken

There is an urban legend of the Engagement Chicken , a dish that if made for your boyfriend, he will be so impressed with your domestic skills he'll propose. I've been married for a year and a half, so I'm not putting it to the test, but I thought it might be a good way to make my first attempt at roasting a whole chicken.  After research, I decided to take aspects of recipes from  Ina Garten , the  Pioneer Woman , and good old Joy of Cooking  . The first step of making roast chicken is by far the hardest.  You have to remove the neck and innards and rinse the raw bird.  Because he is a good person, my husband did that part for me while I covered my eyes and ran out of the kitchen. After it was all clean and patted dry with paper towels, I stuffed a halved lemon and 4 cloves of garlic inside, and coated the entire chicken with olive oil.  After coating with oil, I sprinkled liberally with salt, pepper, sage, and thyme. The best part is that th...