Description
This No Boil Lasagna recipe offers a convenient and delicious way to enjoy a classic Italian favorite without the hassle of pre-cooking noodles. Layers of savory Italian sausage, rich ricotta cheese blend, savory marinara sauce, and melting mozzarella and provolone cheeses come together to create a hearty, comforting meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound Mild Italian sausage, browned and drained
Pasta
- 15 Lasagna noodles (regular or oven ready)
Sauces and Cheese
- 48 ounces Marinara sauce
- 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 12 slices Mozzarella cheese
- 9 slices Provolone cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the lasagna evenly.
- Prepare the ricotta mixture: In a small bowl, combine the whole milk ricotta, one large egg, dried oregano, and dried basil. Mix thoroughly and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Start layering with sauce and noodles: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch lasagna pan. Cover the sauce with 4 to 5 lasagna noodles arranged evenly.
- Add first cheese and meat layers: Spoon ½ cup of the ricotta mixture over the noodles and spread it out. Add ½ cup of the cooked Italian sausage evenly on top. Layer 6 slices of mozzarella cheese over the meat, then pour 2 cups of marinara sauce on top.
- Build the second layer: Repeat the layering process with noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, cooked sausage, and top with 6 slices of provolone cheese.
- Add third layer: Pour the rest of the marinara sauce over the provolone, add another layer of noodles, spread the remaining ricotta mixture, and distribute the remaining cooked Italian sausage evenly.
- Finish with cheese: Top the lasagna with the remaining 6 slices of mozzarella and 3 slices of provolone cheese. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and set aside until ready to bake.
- Bake the lasagna: Place the covered pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking: Carefully remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
- Rest before serving: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes to set before cutting. Serve warm, optionally garnished with grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
- You can use oven-ready noodles to simplify the process as they do not require pre-boiling.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps it hold its shape for cleaner slices.
- Feel free to add extra herbs or spices according to preference for more flavor.
- For a lower fat version, you can substitute part of the sausage with lean ground turkey or chicken.
- Covering the lasagna during baking prevents the top from drying out and helps melt the cheese perfectly.
