Description
This Extra Easy Lasagna recipe combines convenience and rich flavors with no-boil noodles and a hearty meat sauce, layered with multiple cheeses for a classic Italian favorite that’s perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 (14-ounce) cans chopped tomatoes
- 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Lasagna Layers
- 1 (8-ounce) package no-boil lasagna noodles
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese or small curd cottage cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the lasagna.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring and crumbling, until browned and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat to keep the sauce lean.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: To the cooked beef, add chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and garlic powder. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Assemble Lasagna Layers: Lightly grease a 12 x 8 x 2-inch baking dish. Arrange half of the no-boil lasagna noodles in a single layer, slightly overlapping the edges. Spoon one-third of the meat sauce evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella, all of the ricotta or cottage cheese, and Parmesan cheese over the meat sauce. Repeat the layering with the remaining noodles, half of shredded mozzarella, and remaining meat sauce.
- Add Fresh Mozzarella and Cover: Arrange the 6 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to prevent drying during baking.
- Bake Covered: Bake the lasagna in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, allowing the noodles to soften and the flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to brown and bubble the cheese on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes after baking to set. Garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Using no-boil noodles saves time by eliminating the need to pre-cook the pasta.
- Draining the fat from the ground beef helps reduce greasiness in the sauce.
- Allowing the lasagna to rest before serving helps it hold together better when cut.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a leaner option.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for a mild flavor.
