Easy Meat Lasagna

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This lasagna is incredibly satisfying, easy to prepare, and perfect for feeding a family or a crowd. With a robust meat sauce, gooey layers of cheese, and no-fuss assembly, it’s a foolproof recipe that always hits the spot. Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or just craving a cozy homemade meal, this lasagna delivers comfort and flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage)
• Onion
• Garlic
• Marinara sauce or pasta sauce
• Lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
• Ricotta cheese
• Egg
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the meat sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and sauté diced onion and garlic until soft. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
3. Prepare the cheese mixture: In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with an egg, a bit of salt, and a handful of grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Assemble the lasagna:
   • Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
   • Add a layer of lasagna noodles.
   • Spread a portion of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
   • Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
   • Repeat layers (sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella) until ingredients are used up, finishing with sauce and a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
5. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
6. Rest and serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Servings and timing

Servings: 8
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 40–45 minutes
Rest time: 10–15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Variations

• No-boil noodles: Use oven-ready noodles to skip the boiling step.
• Vegetable addition: Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini between layers.
• Spicy version: Use hot Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
• Cheese swap: Try cottage cheese instead of ricotta for a lighter option.
• Make-ahead: Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, bake at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil for about 20–25 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions. For freezing, wrap unbaked or baked lasagna tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

FAQs

Can I make lasagna ahead of time?

Yes, assemble it up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake.

Do I need to cook the noodles first?

If you’re using oven-ready noodles, no boiling is needed. For regular noodles, boil according to package instructions.

Can I use jarred sauce?

Yes, your favorite marinara or pasta sauce will work well and save time.

Can I freeze lasagna?

Absolutely. Freeze either baked or unbaked. Just be sure it’s tightly wrapped to prevent freezer burn.

What can I use instead of ricotta?

Cottage cheese is a common substitute and works well in this recipe.

How do I keep the top from burning?

Cover the lasagna with foil for the first part of baking. Remove it toward the end to allow the cheese to brown.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a leaner option and still makes a delicious meat sauce.

How do I prevent watery lasagna?

Let the lasagna rest before cutting and avoid overly saucy fillings.

What size dish should I use?

A standard 9×13-inch baking dish works best for this recipe.

Is it okay to use pre-shredded cheese?

Yes, it’s convenient and works fine. For best melt and flavor, freshly shredded cheese is ideal.

Conclusion

Easy Meat Lasagna is a timeless, crowd-pleasing meal that’s both simple to make and deeply satisfying. With rich layers of sauce, cheese, and pasta, it brings all the warmth of a homemade comfort dish to your table. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this lasagna is sure to become a go-to favorite.

Easy Meat Lasagna

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Easy Meat Lasagna is a comforting, classic dish made with layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese. This simplified version is perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or half ground beef, half Italian sausage)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups marinara or pasta sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 9 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
• 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onion and garlic; sauté for 2–3 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
4. In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, salt, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
5. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer with noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and more sauce. Repeat until ingredients are used, ending with sauce and a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
7. Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Use oven-ready noodles to skip boiling.
• Add spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra veggies.
• Assemble ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
• Letting the lasagna rest prevents it from falling apart when slicing.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 680mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 90mg