Lasagna is the perfect easy recipe for busy weeknights! My delicious lasagna recipe features layers of lasagna noodles, meat sauce, and cheese resulting in a comfort dish that the whole family will love. I use a few tricks and a super simple recipe that yields sensational results. Lasagna doesn’t have to be reserved for weekends any longer! Complete your meal with our favorite dinner rolls and amazing broccoli salad.
Easy Meat Lasagna Recipe
There are many MANY nights that I am craving the cheesy goodness of lasagna. I mean, what’s not to love? All those layers of perfectly savory meat, cheese, and noodles….um, YUM.
I make this recipe A LOT. It’s just so quick to pull together and is perfect for busy weeknights. I use a trick my mom taught me, back when no boil noodles were not readily available, to cut down on time.
What Is the Best Cheese To Use For Lasagna
I always, always, always use mozzarella cheese. It melts so beautifully and is the perfect compliment to the other ingredients in this easy lasagna recipe. In addition to the mozzarella cheese, I use either ricotta or cottage cheese. For today’s recipe, I’ve made a few changes from my childhood including swapping out the cottage cheese for ricotta but honestly, both are so good.
What Ingredients Go Into Lasagna
- Lasagna Noodles
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Ricotta or Cottage Cheese
- Ground Beef or Pork
- Pasta Sauce
- Italian Seasoning
If you find yourself with a little extra time, go ahead and throw in some chopped onion and continue cooking until translucent after the meat has finished browning for some additional flavor and texture. One last thing, I used lean ground beef in this recipe but half beef and half pork make for a tasty combination.
You can also make your own pasta sauce. I do this just when I have extra time but homemade pasta sauce is definitely something special and a great way to add more flavor.
How Do You Make Homemade Lasagna
Lasagna is so easy to make at home and it’s just creating layers of different ingredients including long pasta sheets, a meat sauce and cheese. There is no end to the variations of homemade lasagna and the one I’m sharing with you today is very basic and a great place to start when making your own.
Please feel free to make any adjustments you like to suit your family’s preferences:
- Ground turkey, beef or pork can be used in this recipe, or a combination if you like.
- Try different types of cheeses.
- If you are buying your marinara sauce, pay attention to the label. There are a lot of great sauce flavors out there that will really add depth to this dish.
It’s super important to let the lasagna rest after it’s finished cooking. I say a minimum of 15 minutes in my instructions below but the longer you have the better, up to 30 minutes to allow for cleaner slices. You can garnish with fresh basil or parsley if you’d like for a pretty pop of color.
Serve with some hot, fresh dinner rolls and some of my Nana’s green beans on the side and you’re all set! I hope you love this easy dinner as much as we do!
More Easy Dinners To Try
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Turkey Meatballs
- Zuppa Toscana Soup
- Chicken and Noodles Recipe
How To Make Lasagna
Easy Lazy Day Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry lasagna noodles (you’ll use a little more than half the box)
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or half beef and half pork)
- 24 oz jar marinara or pasta sauce – your favorite brand
- 2/3 cup water
- 15 oz container ricotta or cottage cheese
- 12 oz mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375.
- Lightly spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Spread 2/3 cups of the marinara sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
- Top with lasagna noodles.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Drain off the fat.
- Pour in the remaining marinara sauce. Add the water to the jar, replace the lid and shake to loosen up the remaining sauce. Pour into the skillet and stir in.
- Simmer the meat sauce for 5 minutes.
- Scatter about one-third of the ricotta cheese on top of the lasagna noodles. Sprinkle on 3 oz of the mozzarella cheese. Top with about one-third of the meat sauce.
- Add another layer of lasagna noodles and press down slightly.
- Repeat with ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and meat sauce – two more times.
- Top with remaining mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes until the noodles are fork-tender. (The additional water and the steam created by covering the baking dish will cook the noodles.)
- Remove aluminum foil and bake for another 7-8 minutes or until cheese is nice and bubbly.
- Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Originally published April 20, 2016.
sharon says
can I make it without ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
don’t like texture!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You can! It does add a little moisture so I would maybe add a little beef stock or something to the sauce to make it slightly more liquidy so the noodles cook properly.
Holly Woods says
Can i make this ahead of time like Early in the day so i can just pop it into the oven
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You sure can! Just add let the dish sit out while the oven is preheating and add about 10 minutes to the baking time.
Sha says
I have made this dish several times and it’s great! I have substituted diced zucchini and mushrooms for the meat with outstanding results. Thanks for sharing this creative lasagna.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh yum! I’ll need to try this as a veggie lasagna too!
Cynthia Redmond says
This sounds amazing and I am thrilled just imagining my husband’s smile when I serve it.
One question: can you freeze the leftovers? Only the two of us, but I still want to make it.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes, totally okay to freeze.
Toni Cordtz says
Are you using to cook noodles in this ?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I used regular lasagna noodles but no boil lasagna will work as well.
Linda says
can you use vodka sauce in place of marinara sauce
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Use your favorite – vodka sauce is perfect!
Robert says
It’s really delicious, I’m Lovin’ It!
Marcia S says
Hi, love your recipes! Is this regular dry or the flat no cook noodles?
Kerrie says
This looks delish! Do you use the “ready to use” lasagna noodles for this recipe?
Ivory says
I am happy I don’t live with you because the door will have to be cut off to get me out the house. Why? Because all you meals looks amazing, mouthwatering, and just plan enjoyable. Thanks for sharing them.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Lol! Thanks Ivory!
Christine @ WRY TOAST says
LOVE this go-to recipe!!! so simple, this is seriously perfect for the workweek grind 🙂 pinned doll! x
Carole from Carole's Chatter says
Hi Trish, this would be a great contribution to Food on Friday: Beef over at Carole’s Chatter. Please do bring it over to join in the fun. Cheers
Roxana says
I love lazy days and lasagna! This looks so good!
Cathy Trochelman says
This might be the most delicious lasagna I’ve ever seen. Also, you had me at EASY!