Description
This Lazy Day Lasagna recipe offers a simple, no-boil noodle lasagna perfect for busy days or casual family dinners. Made with layers of savory browned ground beef sauce, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, and melty mozzarella, it’s baked to bubbly perfection in under 1 hour and 15 minutes. The use of oven-ready noodles streamlines preparation without sacrificing classic Italian comfort flavors, making it an approachable yet delicious homemade lasagna.
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
Assembly
- 1 ¾ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (¾ cup in cheese mixture, 1 cup for topping)
- 12 oven-ready (no-boil) lasagna noodles
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Brown Meat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the beef is browned and crumbled and the onion is softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Drain excess grease from the skillet.
- Make Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in brown sugar, dried Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and tomato paste until well combined. Pour in the tomato sauce and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, beat together the eggs. Add the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, and ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, mixing until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Place 4 oven-ready lasagna noodles over the sauce in a single layer. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, then top with another 4 noodles. Spread half of the remaining meat sauce on top of this layer. Add the last 4 noodles, then spread the remaining meat sauce over them. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Bake: Cover the assembled lasagna tightly with foil that has been lightly greased to prevent sticking. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes until the lasagna is hot and bubbling. Remove from oven and allow it to stand for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve and Garnish: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a pop of color and freshness. Slice into portions and enjoy your hearty, comforting Lazy Day Lasagna.
Notes
- Using no-boil lasagna noodles saves prep time and eliminates the need for boiling noodles separately.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking allows it to set and makes slicing easier.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef to reduce fat content.
- For a richer flavor, use whole milk ricotta or add a pinch of nutmeg in the cheese mixture.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days and freeze beautifully for up to 2 months.
