It’s true… it’s rough out there! So, if there’s any chance to save a buck or two, we’re all about it. Poor Man’s Lasagna hones in on that strategy and creates a budget-friendly way to make a delicious dish! The flavor amazement of the tender penne pasta that’s packed in with the creaminess, sauciness, and cheesiness is so astounding that it’ll have you completely forgetting you’re in the process of pinching “pennes.” See what we did there? Cheaper isn’t always synonymous with lacking flavor! Enjoy all the benefits of Poor Man’s Lasagna! You deserve it!
Ingredients
- 14 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 (16-ounce) container cottage cheese
- 1 (24-ounce) jar red pasta sauce
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 3 –In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the penne to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 4 –While the pasta is cooking, in a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook, while crumbling, until it is almost browned.
Step 5 –Stir the Italian seasoning in and cook, while stirring, until the meat is no longer pink. Drain the excess grease.
Step 6 –Drain the water from the cooked pasta and return the penne to the pot.
Step 7 –Add the cream cheese and the cottage cheese to the cooked pasta and gently stir to combine.
Step 8 –Pour 1/2 of the pasta mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 9 –Top the pasta mixture with 1/2 of the cooked beef and 1/2 of the pasta sauce.
Step 10 –Repeat the layers once, starting with the remaining pasta mixture and ending with the remaining pasta sauce.
Step 11 –Sprinkle the cheese over the lasagna mixture.
Step 12 –Bake the lasagna until it is warmed through, about 30 minutes.
Step 13 –Serve.
