Lazy Lasagna Recipe
This easy Lazy Lasagna brings all the flavors of traditional lasagna with minimal effort. Using no-boil noodles, store-bought marinara sauce, and a simple cheese blend, this dish comes together quickly without sacrificing taste
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage, if you prefer
- 2 cups of marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup of ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces of no-boil lasagna noodles
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
Brown the Meat
- In a large skillet, cook your ground beef (or Italian sausage) over medium heat until browned. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once the meat is fully browned, drain any excess fat, and return the skillet to the stove.
Season the Meat
- Add your garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the meat. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the seasonings over the meat. This is where you start building the flavors that’ll make your lazy lasagna taste like it’s been cooking all day.
Add the Marinara Sauce
- Pour your marinara sauce over the seasoned meat. Stir everything together, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors. If you have time, you can let it simmer longer to deepen the flavor, but five minutes will do just fine.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture
- In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. This cheesy blend is what makes lasagna so irresistible. If you like an extra creamy lasagna, you can even add a little cream cheese to this mixture. Don’t forget to season this mix with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Layer the Lazy Lasagna
- Now it’s time for the fun part – assembling the lasagna! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of your meat sauce on the bottom. This will prevent the noodles from sticking.
- Next, lay down a layer of no-boil lasagna noodles. You don’t need to cook these noodles ahead of time – they’ll soften as they bake. Spread a layer of the cheese mixture, then top it with additional meat sauce.Repeat these layers until you’ve used up all your ingredients, ending with a layer of meat sauce on top.
Top with Cheese
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top of your lasagna. This cheesy topping will melt and form a golden, bubbly crust during baking.
Bake to Perfection
- Cover your baking dish with aluminum foil and pop it into the preheated oven. Bake for about 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
Let It Rest
- Once your lazy lasagna is out of the oven, resist the urge to dig in right away! Let it rest for about 10 minutes. This will give the layers a chance to set and make it easier to slice and serve.
Garnish and Serve
- If you like, you can sprinkle some fresh basil or parsley on top for a little extra color and flavor. Slice into hearty portions and serve warm. Pair with a simple green salad and garlic bread for a complete, satisfying meal.
Notes
Variations on Lazy Lasagna
- Vegetarian Lazy Lasagna:
For a meatless version, swap the ground beef for sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini. You can also add some extra cheese for a richer flavor. - Cheesy Chicken Lazy Lasagna:
Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of ground beef, and add Alfredo sauce in place of marinara for a creamy, cheesy twist. - Spicy Sausage Lazy Lasagna:
Substitute the ground beef for spicy Italian sausage to add a little kick to your lasagna. You can also add some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce for extra heat.