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
- 24 ounces marinara sauce or pasta sauce – your favorite brand
- 10 ounces dry lasagna noodles you'll use a little more than half of a one pound box (no boil noodles or regular noodles work)
- 1 pound lean ground beef or half beef and half pork
- ⅔ cup water
- 15 ounces container ricotta or cottage cheese
- 12 ounces mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Lightly spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Spread ⅔ cups of the marinara sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.24 ounces marinara sauce
- Top with lasagna noodles.10 ounces dry lasagna noodles
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Drain off the fat.1 pound lean ground beef
- 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.⅔ cup water
- 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.15 ounces container ricotta or cottage cheese, 12 ounces mozzarella cheese
- Add another layer of lasagna noodles and press down slightly.10 ounces dry lasagna noodles
- Repeat with ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and meat sauce – two more times.12 ounces mozzarella cheese, 15 ounces container ricotta or cottage cheese
- Top with remaining mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.12 ounces mozzarella cheese, 1 teaspoon 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.
Notes
- Refrigerator: Leftover lasagna should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: To freeze the lasagna, let cool and then wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil. Transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Reheat: To reheat, place lasagna in a dish, cover with foil, and bake in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. Lasagna can also be reheated in the microwave.
No boil lasagna noodles will cook faster but regular lasagna noodles will work in this recipe.
See post for more information and FAQs.
Nutrition
Originally published April 20, 2016.
Kimberly Sparks says
I went ahead and gave it a 5 star because everything that I have made from your recipes have been fantastic. My question is…. How much water are you supposed to use when you fill the sauce jar back up??? You did not specify how much water to put back in the sauce jar??? I am very literal when I’m making a recipe the 1st time. Just enough to get all of the yummy left in the jar?? Or was I supposed to fill the whole jar up with water?? This is the 1st time I have ever made lasagna. And especially this way. I didn’t even know you could make it this way. I only filled about half the jar of water so I hope my noodles cook. LOL 😂 I have made so many of your recipes in the last 6-8 months I thoroughly enjoy Everything. Thank you
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Kimberly! It’s the 4th ingredient down – 2/3 cup of water. Hope that helps! And I truly appreciate you taking the time to comment ❤️
Wendy A says
Hi Trish, I Absolutely Love this recipe!! I’ve made it several times, my Family Loves this Lasagna as well! My question is: what is the best way to reheat after being Refrigerated or Frozen? What temp and for how long? I don’t like microwaving since this is such a Great Lasagna! Thank You so Very Much for sharing this! I have also shared this and your recipes with Friends and Family who also Love it!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Wendy! Leftover lasagna can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container or in the casserole dish covered with foil, for up to 4 days. To freeze, make sure to let the lasagna cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the lasagna overnight in the fridge overnight. To reheat, remove the lasagna from the fridge, preheat the oven to 350°F, then reheat the casserole dish in the oven, covered, until heated through. Hope that helps and thanks so much for sharing my site with others ❤️