Quick Lasagna Casserole (aka Lazy Lasagna Recipe) (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

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This Quick Lasagna Casserole (aka Lazy Lasagna Recipe) has layers of cooked pasta with flavorful tomato beef sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses. It comes together quick and easy in just 40 minutes and is every bit as flavorful as regular lasagna!

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Not too long ago, I made a huge batch of bison, bean, and vegetable soup. It was, if I do say so myself, pretty fabulous.

Naturally, I completely expected my hubby not to like it.

(He’s one of the ones who won’t eat anything that his mom didn’t make while he was growing up. And yes, that behavior is the bane of my existence.)

Knowing full well that he had never had the soup before, I thought there was no way he’d like it.

So I was a little tricky. He works a 12 hour shift so I usually pack him a couple meals or a meal and a couple snacks. He didn’t think anything of it when I sent him off to work one day with a bag that had two Tupperware bowls in it. One was a huge salad and the other was a big bowl of bison soup.

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When I talked to him later he said, "What was that soup? When I saw it I really wasn’t expecting to like it, but it was great. Forget the salads for this week, I want to have that."

I was floored.

Little did he know, I had just individual-portioned out the rest of the soup and froze it to re-stock our bare freezer with quick meals for busy nights. My meal prep trick had totally backfired on me! I ended up making batch number two of the soup the next day.

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In This Article

Quick Lasagna Casserole (aka Lazy Lasagna Recipe) - It's a Crowd-Pleaser

But Mike never stops surprising me! Lasagna is one of the most feel-good comfort foods out there. Picky kiddos and sophisticated parents alike are pleased when a steaming hot tray of lasagna is set down on the dinner table.

This is why I thought it was a pretty safe bet serving this Lazy Lasagna Recipe to company who came with kiddos in tow. The company (parents and kids) adored it, but Mike ate what amounted to a “no thank you” helping.

I guess the bison soup was the anomaly and now he’s back to normal. But for anyone who likes lasagna, they’ll be sure to love this Quick Lasagna Casserole!

Plus this Lazy Lasagna Recipe has the added bonus of being completely weeknight-friendly. Ready in 40 minutes from start to finish, this meal takes a fraction of the time to throw together that regular lasagna takes.

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What Side Dishes Go With Lasagna?

Toss together a quick salad, slice up some fresh bread, and dinner is done. And if they offer, I think it’s totally acceptable to let the guests bring dessert.

Here are a few sides that go well with lasagna:

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Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below because I love hearing from you! You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media. To stay up-to-date FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Xoxo, Faith

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Quick Lasagna Casserole (aka Lazy Lasagna Recipe)

By: Faith Gorsky

This Quick Lasagna Casserole (aka Lazy Lasagna Recipe) has layers of cooked pasta with flavorful tomato beef sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses. It comes together quick and easy in just 40 minutes!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 12 servings

Calories 421 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375F grease a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish with butter.

  • Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil ripples, add the beef, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Italian Herb Spice Mix, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and the onions are softened, about 8 to 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the marinara sauce.

  • Spread ¼ of the beef sauce in the bottom of the prepared dish.

  • Top with ⅓ of the cooked pasta; dollop ½ of the ricotta cheese around; sprinkle on ⅓ of the shredded mozzarella; and top with ¼ of the beef sauce. (Repeat this full step one time.)

  • Top with the remaining ⅓ of the cooked pasta, then the remaining ¼ of the beef sauce, and finally ⅓ of the shredded mozzarella.

  • Sprinkle the grated parmesan on top.

  • Bake until the cheese is melted and the casserole is warm throughout, about 20 minutes, and serve.

Faith's Tips

  • To freeze, make the lasagna and let it cool completely. Cover the top with plastic wrap, and then cover it well with aluminum foil. Label it with the date and contents, and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • To reheat frozen lasagna, thaw it to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 375F. Cover the top of the lasagna with aluminum foil (no plastic wrap!), and bake until warm throughout, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Quick Lasagna Casserole (aka Lazy Lasagna Recipe)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 421Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 10g63%

Cholesterol 73mg24%

Sodium 844mg37%

Potassium 579mg17%

Carbohydrates 36g12%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 27g54%

Vitamin A 785IU16%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 308mg31%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword Easy Lasagna, Lasagna Casserole, Lazy Lasagna

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on April 28, 2014. It was updated with more information on February 28, 2020.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items. Thank you for helping to support An Edible Mosaic!

Quick Lasagna Casserole (aka Lazy Lasagna Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to mix ricotta and egg for lasagna? ›

Adding egg to ricotta cheese helps to bind the cheese for lasagna so that it doesn't ooze out of the casserole when you cut it. Basically, the egg helps all the cheesy goodness stay intact. So what happens if you don't put eggs in your lasagna? It'll just be a bit runnier, but omitting the egg won't affect the taste.

What is a good substitute for lasagna pasta? ›

Sweet potato - Thinly sliced sweet potato can be used in place of lasagna noodles, creating a slightly sweet and savory dish. Sweet potato noodles can be boiled or baked before layering them into the lasagna. Wonton wrappers - Wonton wrappers are thin sheets of dough that are commonly used in Asian cuisine.

What not to do when making lasagna? ›

Too much between one layer and another will keep you from ever getting a perfect slice. Too little and all you'll taste is pasta. Do not put large pieces of vegetables or meat in lasagna for the same reason as above. To get a perfect lasagna, the filling should be finely sliced or even creamy.

How to make non sloppy lasagne? ›

Cook down your sauce more, if you preboil noodles cook them harder than Al denté, let it cool before cutting into it (you can reheat it after) drain off your meat if you have A LOT of fat in it. If you use ricotta drain off some of the extra whey.

How do you keep ricotta cheese creamy in lasagna? ›

So next time you're making lasagna, be sure to use an egg to increase the moisture levels of the ricotta cheese. The final product will be even more delicious and best of all, much less dry.

Does cottage cheese taste the same as ricotta in lasagna? ›

Beyond having the incorrect texture, cottage cheese's flavor is sharper and more acidic than mild ricotta, which has a sweeter taste that doesn't clash with other ingredients.

What do Italians use instead of ricotta in lasagna? ›

I like using béchamel sauce instead of ricotta because it holds the mouthwatering lasagna layers together and gives the dish an overall creamy texture. Using béchamel is also the authentic Italian way to make lasagna.

Can I use pasta sauce instead of lasagne sauce? ›

If you're using the same sauce for both pasta and lasagna, you may want to consider making a slightly thicker version of the sauce for the lasagna, or adding a bit more cheese or ricotta to the lasagna to help bind everything together.

Does lasagna cook better in glass or metal? ›

Some acidic bakes (like fruit cobblers) and lasagna or casserole (containing tomatoes, citrus, or other acidic fruit) may bake best in a glass dish, to prevent the metal from reacting to the acidic ingredients.

Should I bake lasagna in glass or metal? ›

Acidic ingredients like tomatoes and citrus can react with aluminum (the most common metal used in bakeware), creating a metallic taste in your food. This is why lasagna and other casseroles with acidic ingredients are often baked in glass.

What makes lasagna taste better? ›

Use plenty of herbs and spices: Herbs and spices can add a lot of flavor to a vegetarian lasagna. Some good options include basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Add some umami-rich ingredients: Umami is a savory taste that can be found in ingredients like mushrooms, tomatoes, and soy sauce.

Why is my lasagne always sloppy? ›

It's important that you don't add too much liquid to the sauce – lasagne shouldn't be a sloppy dish. Our recipe balances the quantities to deliver well-defined pasta layers while avoiding dryness. Using the right ingredients can also make all the difference in this comforting classic.

Is there a difference between oven ready lasagna noodles and regular? ›

Oven-ready" lasagna noodles, also known as "no-boil" lasagna noodles, are different from regular lasagna noodles in that they are designed to be used in lasagna recipes without being precooked or boiled. This can save time and simplify the lasagna-making process.

Why is my lasagna so soupy? ›

The sauce could be too watery. The noodles can be holding on to water. The vegetables are releasing excess moisture. If you are using ricotta be careful of the moisture it can add.

Can I use ricotta without egg? ›

Ricotta is a bit iffy, but it's okay if it's very fresh and top quality. The white sauce (bechamel) is sufficient to bind the filling without adding eggs. If you're not using bechamel in your lasagna, you're missing a seriously creamy component.

Can you skip the egg in lasagna? ›

Egg is sort of the “edible glue” that holds most foods together! Actually, you don't need either to make lasagna. The ingredients are: fresh pasta sheets, meat ragù sauce (like bolognese), Parmesan cheese, besciamelle. THAT'S IT.

Can you omit egg from lasagna? ›

Most lasagna doesn't have an added egg component. The issue is finding NOODLES that are egg free. pasta uses egg to help build the structure of the noodle that gives it the texture you would like. Without egg, the noodles don't have the right consistency.

Does an egg go in the cheese mixture for lasagna? ›

Cheeses: Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta cheese make this lasagna extra decadent. Egg: An egg helps bind the ricotta so it doesn't ooze out of the lasagna when you cut into it.

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