Poor Man's Lasagna

Satisfy your comfort food cravings without breaking the bank with "Poor Man's Lasagna," a simple yet indulgent twist on the classic Italian favorite. This budget-friendly baked dish layers tender pasta shells, a rich and savory ground beef marinara, and a creamy blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan for an ultra-cheesy delight. Perfectly seasoned with garlic and onion, then baked until golden and bubbly, it delivers all the flavors and satisfaction of traditional lasagna in a more approachable, hassle-free package. Ready in under an hour and designed to serve six, this easy dinner recipe is an ideal choice for busy weeknights or cozy family meals. Serve with a fresh garden salad or garlic bread for a complete, hearty feast! Let "Poor Man's Lasagna" become your go-to comfort classic that everyone will love.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Pasta shells (medium or large)
• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1 Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 24 oz Marinara sauce
• 8 oz Cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tbsp Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.

Step 5

Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef and stir to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth.

Step 7

In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce to coat the bottom.

Step 8

Layer half of the cooked pasta shells over the sauce, followed by half of the cream cheese mixture. Spread evenly.

Step 9

Add another layer of meat sauce, then repeat the process with the remaining pasta, cream cheese mixture, and meat sauce.

Step 10

Sprinkle the top of the dish with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Step 11

Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 12

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 13

Let the lasagna rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2134.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3756.6

Total Fat 259.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 127.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 812.8mg	0%
Sodium 7165.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 156.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.4g	0%
Total Sugars 30.9g
Protein 203.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2878.8mg	0%
Iron 14.1mg	0%
Potassium 1641.0mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.8%

Protein: 21.5%

Carbs: 16.6%