Easy Lasagna
Easy Lasagna is meaty, cheesy, and incredibly simple to prepare. Made with no-boil noodles and an easy meat sauce, this classic dish cooks in less than an hour and is the best comfort food!
Easy Lasagna
When I think of comfort, lasagna always comes to mind.
It’s hearty, cheesy, and meaty. It’s one of those dishes that makes me feel all warm and cozy. And if you’ve been hanging around here long enough, you might remember this skillet lasagna and that one pot lasagna soup. Yep…it’s safe to say I love this dish!
This easy lasagna recipe with no boil noodles couldn’t get any simpler (or more delicious). By using your favorite jarred spaghetti sauce, ground beef, seasonings and noodles, this dish bakes for less than an hour.
If you’re short on time and want a simple, hearty lasagna recipe with a jar sauce, this is it. Even though we’re using a shortcut meat sauce, it still tastes completely homemade and is just as good (if not better!) as traditional lasagna.
Ingredients in Easy Lasagna:
This easy lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese is a spin on the traditional version. It uses a few shortcuts to keep this easy to make and ready to eat in no time!
Meat sauce:
- Lean ground beef
- Minced garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Onion powder
- Salt and pepper
- Spaghetti sauce (your favorite kind)
- Tomato paste
Cheese mixture:
- Ricotta cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Eggs
- Dried (or fresh) parsley
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- No boil noodles (or regular lasagna noodles, see below)
How to Make Easy Lasagna:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown and crumble ground beef and minced garlic until no longer pink. Drain, wipe skillet if needed, and return beef to skillet.
- To the same skillet, add Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, spaghetti sauce, and tomato paste. Stir to thoroughly combine. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for about 5 minutes.
- While the meat sauce is simmering, prepare cheese mixture. In a large bowl, add ricotta, 1½ cups mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- To assemble lasagna, add about 1 cup of the meat sauce mixture onto bottom of pan and spread evenly. Top with 3 lasagna noodles, followed by about ⅓ cup of cheese mixture and about ¾ cup of meat sauce. Repeat twice more and then top with 3 more noodles and remaining sauce.
- Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes more, uncovered, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before cutting, then serve immediately.
Do You Have to Boil Lasagna Noodles?
Absolutely not! You can use no boil noodles or regular noodles and add water to the dish before baking.
How to Use No Boil Lasagna Noodles:
You use the noodles the same way you would use regular noodles, the cooking time is just a bit shorter. Easy-peasy and just as delicious!
What if I don’t Have No Boil Noodles?
No worries! I’ve tested this recipe with regular lasagna noodles and the results are just as tasty. If you want to use regular lasagna noodles, you will need to add ¼-½ cup of water to the edges of your baking dish before you put the lasagna into the oven. This will help the noodles soften and cook.
How Long Will This Last?
This oven ready lasagna noodles recipe will keep in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to four days.
How to Reheat Easy Lasagna:
To reheat lasagna in the oven, bake at 350°F for about 25-30 minutes, or. until edges are bubbly. Alternatively, you can slice and warm lasagna in the microwave.
Can I Freeze This?
Absolutely! Let the lasagna cool to room temperature and then store in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to three months.
When ready to eat, defrost in the refrigerator the day before and then bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes. You can also reheat this in the microwave, too.
Other Uses for No Boil Lasagna Noodles:
Use in place of your favorite pasta in so many dishes!
- Stir-fries
- Soup
- Salads
- Even wraps (specifically these lasagna rolls)
Can I Make this Lasagna Recipe Vegetarian?
You sure can! You can skip the meat entirely or use sliced zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms in its place.
What to Serve with Lasagna:
- Cheesy garlic bread
- Cornbread
- Salad
Looking for More Pasta Recipes? I’ve Got You Covered!
- Meatball Mac and Cheese
- Easy Baked Ziti
- Instant Pot Spaghetti
- Cheesy Meatball Casserole
- Easy Baked Spaghetti
- Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
Easy Lasagna
Ingredients
Meat Sauce:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1½ teaspoons onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, (to taste)
- 48 ounces spaghetti sauce , (this kind is my favorite)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Cheese Mixture:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, (divided)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, (divided)
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley, (or ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, (to taste)
- 12 no-boil lasagna noodles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown and crumble ground beef and minced garlic until no longer pink. Drain, wipe skillet if needed, and return beef to skillet.
- To the same skillet, add Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, spaghetti sauce, and tomato paste. Stir to thoroughly combine. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for about 5 minutes.
- While the meat sauce is simmering, prepare cheese mixture. In a large bowl, add ricotta, 1½ cups mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- To assemble lasagna, add about 1 cup of the meat sauce mixture onto bottom of pan and spread evenly. Top with 3 lasagna noodles, followed by about ⅓ cup of cheese mixture and about ¾ cup of meat sauce. Repeat twice more and then top with 3 more noodles and remaining sauce.
- Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes more, uncovered, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before cutting, then serve immediately.
Notes
- See my tips and tricks for making this Easy Lasagna above the recipe box.
- Lasagna will last for up to four days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
