How To Make Lazy Lasagna Casserole
The ingredients are all cooked in advance of the easy layering process and this casserole cooks up in about half the time of a traditional lasagna.
- Cook a pound of lean ground beef with onion and garlic until no pink remains and then drain off the excess grease. Season the mixture with some Italian Seasoning, salt and freshly ground black pepper and then add a jar of your favorite marinara and a little water.
- Stir 10 ounces of cooked pasta into the beefy sauce mixture.
- For the creamy layer combine part-skim ricotta cheese with an egg.
- Stir in some shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan, garlic, parsley and freshly ground black pepper.
- Now its just a matter of layering it up. First add half of the beef and pasta mixture to a 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
- The creamy ricotta mixture is layered right over the top. You can spread it out neatly like shown here or be even lazier and just drop dollops over the top like I did in the video at the end of this post. The casserole is topped with the remaining beef and pasta mixture and a generous amount of shredded mozzarella and a little shredded Parmesan.
After baking for about 30 minutes I like to garnish the Lasagna Casserole with some fresh basil to brighten it up.
Does Egg Go In Lasagna
In a small mixing bowl, stir together ricotta and eggs. In a 12 by 24-inch baking dish, spoon some sauce to just cover bottom surface of dish. Arrange lasagna to cover all sauce. Spread a thin layer of egg-ricotta mixture over the pasta, and finish layer with a sprinkling of mozzarella and Parmesan.
Make Ahead & Reheating Instructions
You can assemble the lasagna ahead of time and refrigerate it, covered, for up to 24 hours before baking. If you are baking a lasagna that is fully chilled from being in the refrigerator, add about 15 minutes to the baking time.
Leftover lasagna can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a covered dish in the oven until it is steaming hot.
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Why I Love Lasagna Made With Ricotta Cheese
Making lasagna from scratch can be a lot of work, and its not always easy to find all the ingredients.
If you love lasagna but dont want to spend hours in the kitchen, this recipe is for you. Our easy lasagna with ricotta cheese only takes about 30 minutes to make and uses ingredients that are probably already in your pantry.
This simple lasagna recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a dish that can be made ahead of time. The ricotta cheese gives the lasagna a creamy texture and delicious flavor.
How To Make A Lazy Lasagna
Step 1: Cook the beef. Start by browning the ground beef and boiling the pasta . Add the marinara sauce to the ground beef. Then mix in the al dente pasta with the ground beef marinara mixture.
Step 2: Cook the pasta. Use the package directions to cook the pasta “al dente”, which means it’s softened but with a firmer bite to it.
Step 3:Combine the cheese mixture. Mix together the ricotta, garlic, basil, and oregano.
Step 4: Build the lasagna. In an oiled 9X13 inch pan, add ½ the pasta mixture. Then spread the ricotta mix over top. . Add the rest of the pasta on top of the ricotta, and place torn mozzarella on top. Cover with foil. If freezing for later, stop here. .
Step 5: Bake! Bake at 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, then take the foil off and bake another 10 minutes till light brown on top.
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Homemade Ricotta Lasagna Ingredients
*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Oven Ready Lasagna Noodles- These noodles are designed to cook and soften with the sauce and cheese as the lasagna bakes. You can also use regular lasagna noodles, just make sure to cook them according to the package directions.
Italian Sausage- Using Italian sausage instead of ground beef adds a depth of flavor to the sauce.
Ricotta Cheese- This is the key ingredient in this lasagna recipe. It gives the dish a creamy texture and delicious flavor.
Mozzarella Cheese- This cheese is used in the filling and on top of the lasagna.
Eggs- The eggs help to bind everything together and make the filling nice and creamy.
Basil, Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper- These seasonings give the sauce a delicious flavor.
Parmesan Cheese- This cheese is used in the filling and on top of the lasagna.
Italian Seasoning- This is optional but gives the lasagna a nice flavor.
What Is Marinara Sauce
You may be wondering, what is the difference between spaghetti sauce and marinara? The difference between the two is that marinara is simply tomatoes and seasonings while spaghetti sauce contains more ingredients such as meat or other vegetables.
Tomatoes can be acidic and sometimes tart and adding shredded carrot to this recipe adds sweetness and replaces most of the sugar. Depending on what brand of tomatoes you use, you may need to add a little more or less sugar to your marinara sauce to help cut some of the acidity. If youd prefer, you can add a bit of sugar and skip the carrot.
While I do always used canned crushed tomatoes and whole tomatoes, I sometimes add fresh tomatoes from my garden too . I find whole tomatoes, squished by hand or by spoon have the best consistency. Ive tried canned diced tomatoes and they dont seem to produce the same results.
From time to time, I do like to add things like shredded zucchini or even diced celery if I have them on hand or use this Marinara Sauce to make a homemade meat sauce!
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The Result Of This Lasagna Style Pasta Bake:
My kids devoured this! I made 2 and we ate one and then froze one. We just ate the one from the freezer and it tasted as great as the first one.
It would actually be VERY easy to make several of these. You might want to put a few extra in the freezer for busy nights or when you need to take a meal to someone.
I created the recipe so that you only work once, but make two meals!
I hope your family enjoys! This really is a huge time saver and didnt require any extra work.
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Maybe. You can buy noodles that do not need to be boiled first but they need to specifically be labeled as no-boil lasagna noodles. If you arent boiling lasagna noodles before baking, make sure the layers below and above the noodles are wet and cover the entire noodle. Make sure you also cover the dish when baking. If you have the time, regular lasagna noodles bake up better if theyre boiled first.
Buy gluten free lasagna noodles.
You do not have to cover with foil but we recommend it. Your lasagna will cook more evenly if you cover with foil. Without foil it will tend to look finished on top before the center is cooked.
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Veggie Lasagna Recipe Variations
I absolutely love this meatless lasagna recipe because it is so easy to adapt to what we have in the house .
You will need 4 to 5 cups of chopped vegetables to make it. We use zucchini, summer squash, and roasted red peppers in our video, but here are some more suggestions for vegetables you can use:
- Mushrooms, chopped or torn into small pieces
- Spinach, kale or other greens
- Winter squash like butternut or delicata squash would be excellent for a fall-inspired lasagna. Id peel and cube them.
- Carrots, chopped or shredded
- Bell peppers, fresh or roasted
- Eggplant thats been cut into cubes
For a gluten-free vegetable lasagna, use gluten-free noodles or vegetables to make the noodle layer. Layer long, thin slices of eggplant or zucchini in place of the noodles. I prefer to partially cook the slices by roasting or grilling first, so they dont add too much moisture to the lasagna.
For a dairy-free vegetable lasagna, swap the ricotta cheese and egg for almond ricotta. You can make it yourself or buy it . I also like swapping the cheese for a generous sprinkling of nutritional yeast.
For a creamy vegetable lasagna, use the sauce from our creamy chicken lasagna, and swap the chicken sausage for sautéed vegetables.
How Long Do I Wait To Cut Lasagna Into Squares
I like to wait at least 30 minutes before cutting my lasagna into squares after taking it out of the oven. This way, your layers are set and not sliding around. If you cut into your lasagna too soon, sometimes the lasagna layers come apart. Its worth the wait to get your nice layers you worked hard preparing.
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Should I Drain Ricotta For Lasagna
Straining ricotta is necessary for creamy Italian desserts because it keeps the recipe from becoming watery. Ricotta is my favorite Italian cheese, its creamy, delicious, and versatile. Its one of my favorite ingredients in Baked Ziti, Sausage Lasagna, pizza, Three Cheese Calzones, and desserts like Cannoli!
Do You Have To Cook Noodles For Lasagna
In this recipe, we dont boil lasagna noodles before we assemble the lasagna. The liquids from the spaghetti sauce should be enough that the noodles will cook beautifully in the oven as the lasagna bakes.
We dont specifically use oven-ready lasagna sheets. Just use regular lasagna noodles and they should cook just fine.
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Ricotta Cheese Substitutes In Lasagna
If you dont have ricotta cheese, you can use cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, or even cream cheese in your lasagna.
Cottage cheese has a similar texture to ricotta but is not as sweet. Greek yogurt is also a good substitute because it is thick and creamy. Cream cheese will also work but will make the lasagna richer.
Why Use Ricotta Cheese In Lasagna
Ricotta cheese is a type of cheese that is made from whey, which is the liquid that remains after milk has been curdled and strained.
It has a slightly sweet taste and a creamy texture. Ricotta cheese is often used in lasagnas and other Italian dishes because it pairs well with other ingredients and gives the dish a rich flavor.
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The Best Lasagna Recipe
See my guide on how to use an Instant Pot.
This classic Lasagna Recipe is cheesy, saucy and full of flavor! Make this easy lasagna recipe for a family dinner or to feed a crowd.
Lasagna is the best comfort food, made with noodles, ground beef, sauce and cheese. This lasagna is a hearty main dish that you can make ahead or bake right away.
This lasagna recipe is my all-time favorite, and its the one that I make most often for my family. This recipe uses a secret ingredient that saves time while still making a delicious lasagna with layers of flavor.
If youre at all intimidated by making homemade lasagna, dont be. My easy lasagna recipe is simple to prepare. Below Ive outlined the steps so that you can make the best lasagna at home.
We love to make homemade lasagna for Sunday dinner. Its also perfect for entertaining or for when you need to bring a meal to a friend or family member.
Serve your homemade lasagna with garlic bread, homemade garlic knots or dinner rolls and an Italian salad for a delicious Italian feast.
How To Cook Frozen Lasagna
Lasagna will cook the most evenly and have the best results if you remove the lasagna from the freezer the day before you want to cook it. This will help it to mostly defrost and bake more easily.
- Remove the wrappings, then cover with just one layer of foil.
- Bake in a 350º F oven covered for about 50 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes.
- **If the lasagna was previously baked, you wont need to bake it as long. Start at 30 minutes covered, then uncover and bake until heated through and bubbly on the edges.
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Make Ahead And Storing Tips
Lasagna is the perfect make-ahead meal. Heres how I do it:
The vegetable sauce lasts in the refrigerator for up to three days and in your freezer for about three months. We recommend using freezer-safe glass containers or double layers of freezer bags to store sauces. To thaw, leave it overnight in the refrigerator.
You can refrigerate unbaked lasagna. Cover and refrigerate the assembled unbaked lasagna for up to two days. When you cover it, use parchment or wax paper between the lasagna and aluminum foil since aluminum foil can react with tomatoes.
Baked lasagna also freezes well. Let it cool completely on a rack before freezing, and then wrap it very well with foil . To reheat, defrost the frozen lasagna overnight in the refrigerator and then bake at 400°F for about 1 hour.
The Secret Behind This Classic Lasagna Recipe
From what I can tell, the secret behind Alton’s lasagna is the addition of a little sugar to the sauce and using a bit more cheese than most other recipes.
There are a few minor tweaks to his original recipe that I found necessary, for example adding a dash of wine vinegar to the sauce and changing the amount of Parmesan cheese.
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Make It A Freezer Meal
This dish fares very well when frozen. Follow the directions as written but after adding the final beef and pasta layer, cover the baking dish tightly with heavy duty foil, crimping the edges tightly, and transfer the unbaked casserole to the freezer.
To serve, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight and remove it from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking to take the chill off. Top it with the final layer of shredded cheeses and bake the casserole as directed, increasing the time as necessary to heat it through if it is still chilly when going in the oven.
How To Make Homemade Lasagna
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Lasagna Recipe With Ricotta Cheese
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Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that typically consists of layers of pasta, meat, and cheese. While there are many variations of lasagna, one of the most popular is lasagna with ricotta cheese. This recipe pairs the rich flavor of ricotta with the savory taste of Italian sausage. The result is a dish that is both flavorful and filling.
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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card.
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