Layered Italian Casserole
Dive into the comforting layers of this hearty Layered Italian Casserole, the ultimate crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. This irresistible dish features tender lasagna noodles stacked with a savory blend of browned Italian sausage simmered in marinara sauce, a creamy ricotta cheese mixture enhanced with fresh basil, and a gooey topping of melted mozzarella and Parmesan. Baked to golden perfection, this casserole delivers rich, Italian-inspired flavors in every bite. With just 20 minutes of prep time and easy layering steps, it’s a stress-free recipe that looks as impressive as it tastes. Serve it hot and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh basil for a rustic, homey meal that everyone will adore. Perfect for meal prepping or leftovers, this cheesy Italian casserole will quickly become a family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 pieces Lasagna noodles
- 1 pound Ground Italian sausage
- 4 cups Marinara sauce
- 2 cups Ricotta cheese
- 3 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tablespoon Fresh basil
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and lay flat on a sheet of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
While the noodles cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook and crumble it with a spatula until browned and fully cooked, about 7-9 minutes. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
Stir in marinara sauce to the skillet with the cooked sausage, reserving 1/2 cup of sauce for layering later. Simmer on low heat for 3-5 minutes, then remove from heat.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, egg, chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Stir until well blended.
In a 9x13-inch casserole dish, spread a thin layer of the reserved marinara sauce to lightly coat the bottom of the dish.
Place 4 lasagna noodles on the bottom of the dish, slightly overlapping them. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles.
Top the ricotta layer with 1/3 of the sausage marinara mixture, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle 1/3 of the remaining shredded mozzarella on top.
Repeat the layering process two more times: noodles, ricotta, marinara, and mozzarella.
For the final layer, place 4 more noodles on top, spread the remaining marinara sauce, and cover with the rest of the shredded mozzarella.
Cover the casserole dish with foil, ensuring the foil does not touch the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow the layers to set.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, and serve warm. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6414 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 312.5 g | 401% | |
| Saturated Fat | 138.7 g | 694% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1164 mg | 388% | |
| Sodium | 11202 mg | 487% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 588.3 g | 214% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 32.2 g | 115% | |
| Total Sugars | 44.6 g | ||
| Protein | 340.2 g | 680% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 5714 mg | 440% | |
| Iron | 33.5 mg | 186% | |
| Potassium | 3118 mg | 66% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
