Part Four
When it comes to frugal two for the price, let’s talk lasagna. This is a tried and true standby for sure but when I make it, I make smaller portions (because lasagna is a heavy meal) and I double and even triple the recipe. I make one vegetarian with veggies and white sauce and one with red sauce and ground beef. Lasagna freezes great and is a handy meal for a busy day. If you are going to spend the time and effort to assemble lasagna, be sure and make more.
You can apply the same strategy to other pan meals similar to lasagna but easier to layer:
- Baked ziti is just pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, and marinara baked until bubbly.
- Shepherd’s pie — ground beef or lamb with vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes; holds up well in large pans. You can use up any leftover vegetables from the original roast you made in Part 3 of this series.
- Chicken enchiladas — tortillas layered or rolled with sauce and cheese; great for freezing and reheating.
- Sweet potato gratin — thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked with cream and herbs; rich and comforting.
- Chicken and rice casserole — simple, filling, and easy to multiply.
- Macaroni and cheese bake — creamy, cheesy, and crowd‑pleasing; doubles or triples effortlessly.
- Beef stroganoff bake — noodles, beef, and sauce freeze well; add sour cream after reheating for freshness.
The strategy for this two for the price is to create a simple assembly set-up so you can cook, layer, sauce, top/garnish and quickly assemble before baking and/or freezing. I often do this before family visits, so I have a variety of meals to pull out and defrost for busy days when we are running around, don’t want to eat out, but are starving when we return home. Baked ziti is a favorite although for my meat-loving partner, I always make a version with ground beef in the sauce.
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the house behind 