Quick and Easy Meatball Lasagna
This post is sponsored by Cooked Perfect. All Opinions are my own
So I’m in the kitchen, getting ready to make some lasagna then I realized – I don’t have any ground beef for my lasagna! Then I remembered that I had a grabbed a bag of Cooked Perfect meatballs from the freezer section. Well then, I think its time that we explore the world of Meatball Lasagna!
The Big Game is already coming up this weekend! And for us, it will be a quiet one. We’ll just be having a family night watching the game, or better yet, waiting for the commercials!
I love cooking family style meals for occasions like these. Being able to make these meals as easy and comforting as possible will make our Sunday meal a great one while watching the big game!
I love little food hacks that make prepping dinner a little easier and still maintains quality and flavor, that way I can spend more time with the family, rather than in the kitchen. I used Cooked Perfect Meatballs to add to my lasagna instead of cooking with ground meat.
Cooked Perfect’s meatballs are crafted with select meats, real cheeses, savory herbs and flame broiled to seal in the flavor. All that going on in these meatballs will go perfect in traditional dishes to wake them up and get everyone excited for dinner time. For this traditional style lasagna, not only does it save me a few steps in the kitchen, it adds amazing flavor and texture to my lasagna!
Putting this meatball lasagna together is actually easier than a traditional lasagna, making it a perfect weeknight candidate too! Rather than having to cook down ground beef, I simply cut the meatballs into 1/2 inch slices, then layered into the lasagna like you would your ground beef and sauce. I think meatball lasagna is my new favorite meal!
Here’s a quick meal hack on this too, in addition to using Cooked Perfect meatballs, I used no-boil lasagna noodles. The only prep going on here, is cutting meatballs, getting the cheese mix ready, and placing it all in your baking dish. Done and Done!
Speaking of cheese mixes, I’m a huge fan of using cottage cheese over ricotta. Why? I don’t know – that’s how I grew up eating it and that’s just how I like it.
What about you – Cottage cheese or Ricotta Cheese? Let me know in the comments!
Before I get to the recipe, you’ve got to check out this sweepstakes from Cooked Perfect. You can win a Flat-screen “Smart” TV, Deluxe Recliner and Coffee Table (awarded as gift cards), along with some Cooked Perfect swag! So make sure you enter in the sweepstakes and don’t forget to grab a bag of Cooked Perfect Meatballs the next time you’re in the freezer section!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Internet access and a valid e-mail address are required to participate. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C., who are 18 years of age (19 in AL and NE; 21 in MS) or older. Promotion starts on 1/3/17 at Noon ET and ends on 2/6/17 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET. To enter, visit www.CookedPerfect.com/Gameday (the “Website”) and follow the instructions. 5 WEEKLY PRIZES (1 each week): Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $63 each. 1 GRAND PRIZE: ARV: $2,080. TOTAL ARV: $2,395. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited. For Official Rules, drawing schedule and prize details, visit our Website. Sponsor: Home Market Foods Inc., 140 Morgan Drive, Norwood, MA 02062.
Meatball Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 bag Cooked Perfect Italian Meatballs Other varieties available too!
- 1 box oven ready lasagna noodles
- 16 oz cottage cheese ricotta cheese can be substitued
- 16 oz mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 whole egg
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 16 oz marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375. In a bowl, combine cottage cheese, mozzarella , egg basil and oregano; set aside.
- Thaw your meatballs by placing in the microwave for 60 seconds. Cut each meatball in 1/2 inch slices.
- in a 13x9 baking dish add a layer of marinara followed by lasagna noodles, cheese, then meatballs. Repeat this until you have 3 layers; add a little more mozzarella, basil and oregano on the top layer.
- Place in the oven for 40 minutes, covered in tin foil; remove tin foil for the last 10 minutes to brown the cheese. Let sit for about 5-10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
