This Tasty Kitchen recipe, submitted in May by Rozanie, fit perfectly into the 16-Minute Meal theme I have going on in my house this week. As I explained on The Pioneer Woman Cooks yesterday, my girls are gone all week, which means I have a houseful of only boys. They’re so delightfully male—the more brown and plentiful the food is, the better. And wonderfully so, they tend to like the dishes that take the least amount of time to make.
Sold!
This could not have been easier. When the boys and I returned from our Family Soccer Game, I threw it together and had dinner on the table in less than twenty minutes. It was heaven, and I was able to be in front of the TV in time to watch Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Wait. Did I just say that out loud?
Begin by boiling 5 cups of bowtie pasta noodles. (This amounts roughly to a 12-ounce bag.)
Cook it till al dente!
Brown some ground chuck in a skillet. (Regular ground beef would be just fine.)
Drain the pasta and dump it over the top of the browned meat.
Drizzle olive oil over the top of the noodles…
Then grab a jar of marinara or other pasta sauce. *Note that the submitter of this recipe correctly points out that you definitely want to use a sauce you really like here!
Dump it right over the noodles.
Add garlic powder…
And Italian Seasoning. You can substitute fresh garlic and herbs if you have them handy. Basil would be yummy! And be sure to add salt—about a teaspoon or so.
Next, add grated mozzarella. I had some fresh stuff in my fridge, but you can use any form of mozzarella you’d like.
Also dump in a little sour cream. This adds a really nice consistency to the whole dish. Even if you’re not a sour cream fan, don’t be afraid! You won’t even taste it.
Finally, stir it all together over low heat until it’s just combined. Yum!
I also stirred in some grated Parmesan for a little extra kick. And that’s it, baby!
I served this with an Iceberg/ranch salad and a hunk of warm, crust bread. The three men in my house absolutely loved it.
OPTIONS: This is such an easy meal, it would be a cinch to add in whatever extras you’d like. I think I’ll do chopped black olives next time, and probably a combination of fresh herbs. You can also play with the cheeses—add some Romano, Asiago…have at it!
Verdict: I’ll definitely make this again. Another 16-minute meal for my repertoire. Thanks, Rozanie!
Here’s the printable recipe: Bowtie Lasagna by Rozanie
Jessica @ How Sweet on Tuesday, July 13
This would be PERFECT for my husband because he hates ricotta! Even though, you know, he eats it all the time. He still swears he hates it.1
Cynthia on Tuesday, July 13
We used to make this back in the 60's with elbow macaroni. Good times!2
Sandi on Tuesday, July 13
We do something similar, but instead of sour cream, we stir in a small container of cottage cheese. It sounds gross, but it's delicious.3
mom2girlz on Tuesday, July 13
I can see adding some italian sausage along with the ground beef. YUMMO!4
Steffi on Tuesday, July 13
Mmmmmmmm!!!! That looks lovely!!!! I'll have to try a white version since my dear sweet picky picky hubby won't eat red sauce (what is wrong with him!?!?!) I think I'll add chicken and spinach and top it with cheese and stick it in the oven and makes it a 25 minute meal :-)5
karina on Tuesday, July 13
looks delicious. I will be trying this tonight. I love quick GOOD meals! Thanks!6
Linda on Tuesday, July 13
Sounds amazing! Thanks!7
Tonya on Tuesday, July 13
Another yummy substitute...instead of sour cream...use cream cheese. I love adding cream cheese to the store bought jars of sauce. Makes for a creamier version.8
annie56 on Tuesday, July 13
true confession: i have not yet put in my contacts and i am too lazy to go find my reading glasses.... so when i was perusing the sight this morning... i honestly thought this was entitled "BROWNIE LASAGNE" what a relief to realize it was BOWTIE lasagne instead. it looks deliciously like a pasta / burger thing my mother used to make.9
Sherry Watkins on Tuesday, July 13
Ree, this is a great recipe my husband loves stuff like this !10
Heather (Heather's Dish) on Tuesday, July 13
as an Italian through marriage, i adore ALL pasta ALL the time...this one sounds like a winner to me!11
Myrnie on Tuesday, July 13
This is also really good as a one-skillet meal: brown the ground beef and drain, then dump everything, including DRY noodles, except the cheese, with a bit of extra water. Let it simmer till the noodles are done- they turn out so creamy!12
Amanda T on Tuesday, July 13
I make this a lot - but I instead of sour cream, I add a 16 oz tub of small curd cottage cheese. Yum!13
Julie on Tuesday, July 13
I wonder how this would taste with cottage cheese - I add that to my lasagna so I bet it would be good in this!14
Kayla Birch on Tuesday, July 13
I have four brothers and a dad. And I have been put in charge of dinner for the next two weeks. So I can definitely relate to the house full of boys! Me and my mom are the only girls! It's 2 to 5. Thanks for the recipe, I'm using it sometime in the next two weeks, fo sho!15
NanaBread on Tuesday, July 13
Okay, loved this when I saw it, so I'm making it right now for dinner. I added sauteed fresh mushrooms, oregano & basil and about a teaspoon of fresh minced garlic. It already smells delicious. Thanks, Ree! Dinner tonight is in your honor, as well as Rozanie's.16
Anonymous on Tuesday, July 13
Supper is figured out for tonight! Thanks!17
Seleise on Tuesday, July 13
This looks great and is a variation on a skillet lasagna that I make. I, too, use cottage cheese and it's wonderful! I'll have to try the sour cream variation for comparison. :) TFS!18
Vicki B on Tuesday, July 13
Oh, heck ya! I'm gonna veggie-ize this. What a great recipe.19
Sandra on Tuesday, July 13
It looks quite easy and tasty - but why call it lasagna? It's not layered, a a major factor in what makes lasagna what it is. It's worth making with a better, more descriptive name.20
mallory m on Tuesday, July 13
maybe i missed it, but assuming you drain the excess fat from the meat before adding the pasta, correct? especially since you add in the extra olive oil... either way, looks easy and delish!21
Carrie on Tuesday, July 13
Ree, Do you have any suggestions for making this a freezer meal? Thanks! Carrie22
Elise on Tuesday, July 13
Mallory - I don't think that she ever drains the fat off anything. Dinner tonight! Thanks!23
texasphotochick on Tuesday, July 13
I make something similar to this. I use my leftover meat sauce that I make in bulk and freeze, which makes it even faster on busy weeknights when the kids have dance and scouts. You used our favorite sauce to have over tortellini.24
mallory m on Tuesday, July 13
thanks elise... i should have assumed that! although i think my waistline may benefit more without the extra grease! ha25
heidi wightman on Tuesday, July 13
My kids will love this. I am making it tonight!26
Jeanette on Tuesday, July 13
I love the fact that with all your recipes of your own, you still stay connected and get a little help from your "friends". You still keep it real and say, "I need something that cooks quickly and is satisfying".27
Cary on Tuesday, July 13
Thank you Ree - do you realize just how many households in America and beyond will be making this tonight, mine included? For busy moms all over, I say thank you again! =)28
Paula on Tuesday, July 13
wow! I`m sure that I`ll make this :)29
Amelie on Tuesday, July 13
Yum! Making this tonight (but with Italian sausage instead of ground beef since it's all I have). Thanks for the recipe!30
Erin on Tuesday, July 13
Sitting down with my first plate of this delish meal right now. So good and I'll be making it again! For just hubby and me, it makes a LOT! - perfect for lunch leftovers!31
Patty on Tuesday, July 13
This was amazing! Love it. It does make a lot, but I don't mind because it means I don't have to cook tomorrow in the heat of the day. : )32
Dawn on Tuesday, July 13
I might make this with rice instead of pasta (I'm allergic to wheat). My husband will love this!33
Stacey Gray on Tuesday, July 13
Made this for dinner tonight. It made a great meal for the end of a very busy day for a very tired mom. I had to make some substitutions because I didn't have all of the ingredients, but it still tasted great! Plus it made so much that we'll have leftovers for tomorrow-that makes it excellent in my book.34
vicki on Tuesday, July 13
Would be good with big chunks of zucchini too.35
jennym09 on Tuesday, July 13
I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicous!! I made a few subsitutions based on what I had in my fridge... Used Extra Lean Ground turkey instead, made only 3 cups of the bow tie pasta, and used a little bit of heavy cream instead of sour cream (didnt have any), and I added 1 cup of cooked spinach for some veggies, and it was DELICOUS! I will be having the left overs for lunch tomorrow. Great Recipe!36
dacook on Tuesday, July 13
Wish my husband liked pasta! Or rice or any of the foods I like. This really looks good.37
jayhawkjdmom on Tuesday, July 13
I make something similar, but add cream cheese, too. It's wonderful. I made the 16 minute burritos tonight and everyone loved them. This is a great theme....everyone needs fast meals that are delicious!38
Summer on Tuesday, July 13
Made this tonight - super quick, super delish, and yes, Ree, the sour cream is a must! I used a different shape of pasta and had a sundried tomato with olive jarred sauce on hand and it was good and hearty.39
Julie on Tuesday, July 13
Instead of sour cream (or cottage cheese) why not add ricotta cheese?40
Sherri on Wednesday, July 14
This looks great and soooo simple to make. During the summer I work long hours, I could whip this up in a hurry and I am sure it beats the drive-thru any day. Thank you, I look forward to reading more of your quick meals.41
Amanda on Wednesday, July 14
I made this last night after seeing your post on Pioneer Woman and having no idea what to make for dinner - It's hot here and I could care less about food but somehow feeding my daughter ice cream for dinner didn't seem like a good idea. Substituted ground turkey (it was in the freezer), added some chopped onion and a block of frozen spinach (defrosted but not squeezed as the water wasn't such a bad add since it was turkey). Forgot about the sour cream but it was really good. Actually had to remind my 3 year old to eat her turkey - she gobbled up the spinach. This is not far off from what my family used to call American chop suey when I was a kid - it had stewed tomatoes in it though. Something I still don't love but I loved American chop suey waiting for us when we got to Grammie's house late at night!42
Beth on Wednesday, July 14
Made this for dinner last night. WOWWEEE! It really tasted like lasgna! I love the fact that this is a much lighter version than the real deal since it doesn't carry all the cheese a typical lasagna has. I make quite a bit so I have sum yummy leftovers for lunch today. Definetly will keep this recipe handy! Thanks Ree!43
primgingers on Wednesday, July 14
Ran home from work last night and picked up what I needed to make this for dinner. It really was quick, I made two changes though. I did not have any italian seasoning so I used the sweet red bell pepper spice from tastefully simple and instead of mozzerella I used a mixture of italian cheeses.......yummo!44
Bronwyn on Wednesday, July 14
I think I'll add spinach to my version...45
Cindy D. on Wednesday, July 14
Delicious and my kids love it, too! Thanks for posting this recipe. I substituted ground turkey for ground chuck.46
candis on Wednesday, July 14
I just made this for my family. Everyone loved it. Already planning to have it again. Simple and filling.47
Lori on Wednesday, July 14
A little chopped spinach would be a nice addition !!!48
Autum on Wednesday, July 14
Made this tonight. It was very quick and easy. Myself and the kids loved the lasagna flavor. Will definitely make this again. Thank you for sharing.49
Erin Dipity on Thursday, July 15
I make this all the time and I call it "Poor Man's Lasagna". I use ricotta instead of sour cream though. It is super easy, quick and yummy!!50