Description
Hearty mac & cheese lasagna delivers comfort on a plate with layers of creamy pasta and cheesy goodness. Cheese lovers will savor this indulgent crossover dish that promises satisfaction in each rich, melted bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 box (24 ounces / 680 grams) macaroni shells & cheese with prepared cheese sauce
- 1 ½–2 cups spaghetti sauce
- 1 packed cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ white onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook macaroni until al dente, ensuring a tender yet firm texture that will hold up during baking.
- Meat Sautéing: Brown ground beef in a skillet with onions and garlic, carefully breaking down meat into fine, even crumbles and draining excess fat to maintain a rich, concentrated flavor.
- Layering Foundation: Spread half the cooked macaroni across the bottom of a buttered 9 x 13 inch baking dish, creating a sturdy base for the lasagna.
- Protein and Sauce Distribution: Evenly layer seasoned beef over the pasta, then generously cover with spaghetti sauce, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Cheese Cascade: Generously sprinkle shredded cheese blend across the sauce, creating a melty, golden blanket that will develop a tantalizing crust during baking.
- Repeat Stratification: Replicate the previous layering process with remaining macaroni, beef, sauce, and cheese, building depth and complexity of flavors.
- Oven Transformation: Bake uncovered at 350°F for 20 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt completely and develop a golden, slightly crisp top.
- Resting Period: Let the lasagna rest for 2-3 minutes after removing from the oven, allowing layers to set and making serving more manageable.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook macaroni just until al dente to prevent mushy texture and maintain a pleasant bite in the final dish.
- Beef Browning Technique: Thoroughly break down ground beef into small, uniform pieces while sautéing to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor distribution.
- Cheese Melting Magic: Use a blend of cheeses and sprinkle evenly to create a golden, bubbly top that adds rich, creamy texture to the lasagna.
- Resting is Critical: Allow the lasagna to rest for 2-3 minutes after baking, which helps stabilize layers and makes cutting and serving much cleaner and more appealing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg