If you are a busy mom with busy kids like I am, then I know you are all about family meals that are simple to make, don’t cost a lot, and don’t take a lot of time, but still taste delicious. I have a great recipe for you and the best part is it only requires four ingredients! I learned this Poor Man’s Lasagna recipe, also known as Lasy Lasagna, from my ex-Mother-in-Law. It is inexpensive to make and delicious to eat, especially good for those who don’t like ricotta, like me.
Simple Family Dinner Recipe
LAZY LASAGNA INGREDIENTS:
- Rotini
- 1/2 lb. ground beef
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
DIRECTIONS:
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cook 2 cups of rotini following the directions on the box.
- While rotini is cooking, brown the ground beef.
- Combine the cooked rotini, ground beef, and a jar of spaghetti sauce into a casserole dish.
- Top with a layer of mozzarella.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
I typically serve Poor Man’s Lasagna with a side salad and garlic bread and it is always a family favorite. Of course, you can easily add peppers, sausage, or other ingredients to give it a bit more kick, but I like it just how it is. Plus, it tastes pretty good the next day for lunch – and we know how easy leftovers for lunch is!
If you like pasta, you’ll want to check out these Primavera Lasagna Cups, Chicken & Green Chili Pasta, and Pasta with Kale Pesto.
Poor Man's Lasagna
Ingredients
- Rotini
- 1/2 lb. ground beef
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit
- Cook 2 cups of rotini following the directions on the box.
- While rotini is cooking, brown the ground beef.
- Combine the cooked rotini, ground beef and a jar of spaghetti sauce into a casserole dish.
- Top with a layer of mozzarella.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
Notes
What is your favorite family-friendly dinner? I’m always looking for quick ideas that everyone will enjoy!
Love this simple recipe! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Very good! I put mushrooms and some minced garlic cloves in mine. Only took about 40 mins between prepping/baking it! Definitely an easy and delicious and cheap meal to make after working all day and coming home to sick children!
Oooo! I like those additions. I don’t think I could get away with mushrooms, but I might have to give the garlic a try. I’m glad it helped make your evening a bit easier and hope your kids get better quick!
My family loved it and it was easy and cheap to make!! Thanks for the recipe!!
You are so welcome! I’m glad you guys enjoyed it.
I only have a can of sauce, how much do you usually use? How many ounces are in your cans? Don’t need a specific amount an estimate will do just fine if you know too!
I usually use a 24 oz jar. 🙂
How many does this serve?
It feeds our family of 5.
Has anybody tried to freeze this? At what point would I freeze it?
I have not, but I would personally freeze it after the rotini has been cooked and combined with the sauce in a pan. Add the mozzarella cheese on top and then freeze. That way you can take it out of the freezer and pop it in the over and as it cooks, the cheese would melt.
Battle royale with my mom on this …
Is 2 cups of rotini equivalent to a 16 oz box ?
Thanks . Argued about this for a whiiiiiiile !!!!
I’m not sure who’s bubble I am going to burst but… 2 cups of rotini is equivalent to 1/2 of a 16 oz box. 😉
What size pan did you use?
9×9 square glass dish
I’m now coming across this recipe and I want to try it out!! What size box of rotini did you use?
Sorry! I’m seeing it in the instructions! Lol
Apparently I don’t know how to read! :p
HA! I’m glad you found it. Hope you enjoy!
I’m making this for my family today and can’t wait to see how it turns out
I hope you and your family enjoyed it!
Thank you a billion times over!
I love this recipe, but even better? I made this for a friend who is super picky about what he eats (he is worse than a toddler when it comes to what he will eat and won’t lol) and he ate it and said he loved it, and asked for the recipe, so thank you 🙂
That’s awesome! I’m glad you both enjoyed it.
I don’t have Rotini, can I use Penne pasta or will I need to adjust the cooking time?
I think penne would work perfectly. I’ve used shells before and didn’t adjust the baking time and it turned out fine. 😉
Does anyone know the real Sicilian name for this dish?