Party Pasta (Lazy Lasagna)
Winter months are for casseroles. Cheesy, hearty, pasta-filled casseroles. Sure, it’s a new year so we are all trying to eat healthier but everything in moderation, right?! Besides this Party Pasta (Lazy Lasagna) hits all four food groups and doesn’t that make it a well-rounded meal? I think so!
This is a casserole that I hadn’t thought of in years. My mom used to make it all the time, then it sort of fell off the radar, I’m not sure why. It’s easy and tasty and loved by everyone who eats it. I think meals, even favourite ones, tend to get tucked away every now and then. But when you bring them out again, they’re just as loved as they’ve always been.
As was the case with this casserole. While my mom was visiting in October, we whipped up a few favourites. I’ve already shared Porcupine Balls with Mushroom Cream Sauce, my ultimate birthday meal and now this Party Pasta. When I pulled out the recipe both my mom and I reminisced about how much we love this dish. We ate it that night and everyone felt the same. I called my mom when she got home and she was making a batch for herself and my dad. And now it’s back in the meal rotation!
It’s so easy and has a slightly different take on lasagna than the traditional with the substitute of sour cream in place of ricotta or cottage cheese, yes we use cottage cheese in our lasagna, it’s delicious! And the egg noodles offer a new feel as well. It makes a nice big batch, perfect for a large crowd or party as the name suggests, or freeze a pan for an easy weeknight meal.
How to Make Party Pasta (Lazy Lasagna)
Fry the ground beef until cooked through, add in the onions and garlic until softened. If there’s any excess grease, just drain that off. Stir in the pasta sauce, green peppers, water and seasoning, bring it all to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.
While the beef is cooking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add in the egg noodles and boil for eight minutes. Drain the noodles and rinse under cold water. Once the meat sauce has finished simmering, stir in the cooked noodles.
Next, pull out two 9×13 pans and cover the bottom of each pan with a quarter of the noodle and meat sauce. Cover the noodle and meat sauce with half the sour cream and then top with remaining sauce divided between the two pans. Cover each pan with half of the parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Freeze one pan if desired.
This dish may have been forgotten for a minute, but that in no way reflects how good it truly is. In fact, it’s on our meal plan for this week, a perfect way to ring the new year or just feed a hungry family at the end of a busy day!
Loved Party Pasta (Lazy Lasagna)? Check out these other delicious recipes, I’m sure they’ll hit the spot:
If you get a chance to make this or any other recipe on the blog and want to share. Please feel free to tag @candyjarchronicles or use #candyjarchronicles on Instagram, so I can see your post. I’d love to see what you’re cooking in your kitchen!
Want more? Subscribe to Candy Jar Chronicles to be amongst the first to know about new content, delivered right into your inbox! To subscribe please enter your email in the subscription box located on the right-hand side of this page and press subscribe.
Party Pasta (Lazy Lasagna)
Party Pasta (Lazy Lasagna) is an easy take on the traditional lasagna. It comes together quickly and tastes perfectly lasagna-y! With egg noodles and a basic sauce layered with cheese and sour cream for a bit of a twist, this main dish will have everyone coming back for seconds. It always does in our house!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 onions, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 45 oz jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 16 oz. egg noodles
- 1 pint sour cream
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
- 3 cups parmesan, shredded
INSTRUCTIONS
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
-
In a large saucepan, fry the ground beef, along with the onion and garlic until cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
-
While the meat is browning, fill a large pot of water with a bit of salt and start heating it for the egg noodles. When it starts to boil, add noodles and cook for 8 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water and set aside.
-
Add peppers, spaghetti sauce, water and seasoning to the meat mixture, bring to a boil and then cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
-
Next, stir in the noodles and mix to combine.
-
Cover the bottom of two 9×13 pans with half the sauce (1/4 of the sauce for each pan), then spread half the sour cream over each pan. Sprinkle one cup of parmesan over each pan and top with remaining noodles and sauce mixture, split between the two pans. Top with remaining parmesan and one cup of mozzarella for each pan.
-
Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Serve one pan and freeze the other.
RECIPE NOTES
Adapted from L. Savage’s recipe.