Description
This Lazy Day Lasagna recipe is a comforting and delicious twist on traditional lasagna that saves time by using oven-ready no-boil noodles. Packed with savory ground beef, rich ricotta, and three types of cheeses, it’s layered perfectly and baked to bubbly perfection — an ideal meal for family dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Additional
- 1 ¾ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (¾ cup mixed into cheese mixture, 1 cup for topping)
- 12 oven-ready (no-boil) lasagna noodles
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to ensure the lasagna doesn’t stick and bakes evenly.
- Cook Meat and Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound lean ground beef and 1 diced large onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and crumbled and onions soften. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Drain excess grease from the skillet.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Stir in 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon tomato paste into the beef mixture. Mix well, then pour in 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavors.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs. Add 2 cups ricotta cheese, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, and ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until smooth and combined.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly in the prepared baking dish. Layer 4 oven-ready lasagna noodles evenly over the sauce. Spoon and spread half the cheese mixture over the noodles. Add another 4 noodles on top. Spread half of the remaining meat sauce over the noodles, then add the last 4 noodles. Top with the remaining meat sauce, then sprinkle with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the Lasagna: Cover the dish tightly with foil that has been lightly greased (to prevent sticking). Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden on top.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it stand for 10-15 minutes. This resting time helps the layers set, making it easier to slice. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley just before serving for a touch of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Use oven-ready no-boil lasagna noodles to save time and skip the need to pre-cook pasta.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking ensures cleaner slices and better texture.
- Brown sugar added to the sauce balances acidity from the tomato sauce.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For a vegetarian version, omit meat and add layers of sautéed vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms.
- Make sure to grease the foil before covering to avoid cheese sticking to it.
