There’s something uniquely comforting about a hot, bubbling pan of homemade lasagna. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, a dish that speaks of family dinners and cozy evenings. But many people are intimidated by the process. That’s why I’ve developed this truly Easy Lasagna Recipe, a foolproof guide to creating a classic, delicious lasagna without the stress. This recipe simplifies the steps, uses readily available ingredients, and guarantees a perfect result every time. Get ready to impress your family and friends with the best, most straightforward lasagna you’ve ever made.
Why This is the Easiest Lasagna Recipe
What makes this recipe so simple? First, we use smart shortcuts that don’t sacrifice flavor, like a quality jarred marinara sauce and no-boil lasagna noodles. Second, the instructions are broken down into clear, manageable steps. You won’t find any complicated techniques here—just a direct path to a rich, cheesy, and satisfying meal. This is the perfect recipe for beginners or anyone looking for a reliable weeknight dinner stunner.
The Core Components of Classic Lasagna
Even in a simple recipe, the quality of each component matters. Here’s what makes this lasagna sing:
The Rich Meat Sauce
We start with a savory base of ground beef and Italian sausage, which adds incredible depth of flavor. By simmering it with onions, garlic, and a good-quality marinara sauce, we create a robust sauce that forms the heart of the dish.
The Creamy Cheese Layer
The cheese filling is a simple yet luscious mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, bound together with an egg and seasoned with parsley. This creates those distinctly creamy, cheesy layers that everyone loves.
The Pasta
To keep things as easy as possible, this recipe calls for no-boil lasagna noodles. They cook to perfect tenderness right in the oven by absorbing liquid from the sauce, saving you a whole step and a pot to wash.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (15 oz) container whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 9-12 no-boil lasagna noodles
How to Make This Easy Lasagna Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple phases to assemble and bake your perfect lasagna.
Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Break up the meat with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and let it gently simmer for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 2: Mix the Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, the grated Parmesan cheese, the egg, and the chopped parsley. Mix everything together until it’s well combined. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Step 3: Layer the Lasagna
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This prevents the noodles from sticking. Arrange a single layer of no-boil lasagna noodles over the sauce. You may need to overlap them slightly. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with about one-third of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat the layers: noodles, the rest of the ricotta mixture, and another third of the meat sauce. Finish with a final layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and sprinkle the last 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling. Let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This is crucial for allowing the layers to set, ensuring clean slices.
Pro Tips for Perfect Lasagna Every Time
- Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the lasagna sit after baking is the key to preventing it from falling apart when you cut into it. Patience pays off!
- Avoid Watery Lasagna: Using whole milk ricotta cheese instead of part-skim helps create a creamier, less watery filling. Also, ensure your meat sauce is thick and not too liquidy.
- Grease the Foil: Lightly spray the inside of the foil with non-stick spray before covering the lasagna. This prevents the cheese from sticking to it.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions
This Easy Lasagna Recipe is perfect for meal prep. You can assemble the entire dish up to 2 days in advance. Simply cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap, cover with foil, and add about 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time. To freeze, assemble the lasagna in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed.
What to Serve with Lasagna
Lasagna is a hearty meal that pairs beautifully with simple sides. A crisp green salad and some warm garlic bread are classic choices. For a comforting vegetable side, try Easy Roasted Acorn Squash. It’s a simple and delicious complement to the rich pasta.
More Delicious Dinner Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ll love exploring other comforting pasta dishes. For a quick and creamy weeknight meal, try this Creamy Chicken and Sausage Pasta. Or, for another cheesy baked favorite, this Crack Chicken Casserole is always a huge hit. And for a taste of Italy, don’t miss this amazing Tuscan Chicken Pasta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. You can assemble the entire lasagna up to 2 days in advance. Cover it tightly and refrigerate. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking it from cold.
No, you don’t! This easy lasagna recipe uses no-boil noodles, which cook directly in the oven by absorbing moisture from the sauce. It saves time and a pot to wash.
To prevent watery lasagna, use whole milk ricotta cheese, which has a lower moisture content. Also, make sure your meat sauce is thick and not too thin. Finally, letting the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes after baking allows the layers to set and absorb excess liquid.
It is crucial to let the lasagna rest for at least 10-15 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This allows the layers to firm up, making it much easier to cut clean, beautiful slices.
If you’re not a fan of ricotta, you can substitute it with an equal amount of full-fat cottage cheese. For a smoother texture, you can blend the cottage cheese briefly before mixing it with the other ingredients.
The Easiest, Tastiest Lasagna Awaits
With this Easy Lasagna Recipe, a hearty, homemade Italian meal is completely within your reach. It’s a comforting, classic dish that proves you don’t need to spend all day in the kitchen to create something truly special. Give it a try, and I promise it will become a go-to in your dinner rotation. If you love this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it on Pinterest!
Easy Lasagna Recipe
Easy Lasagna Recipe (Classic & Foolproof)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess grease. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Pour in marinara sauce, season, and simmer for at least 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and parsley. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer with no-boil noodles, half of the ricotta mixture, and one-third of the meat sauce. Repeat the layers. Finish with a final layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Tip 2: Use whole milk ricotta for a creamier, less watery cheese filling.
Tip 3: Lightly grease the inside of the aluminum foil with cooking spray to prevent the top cheese layer from sticking.
