Easy Cheesy Lasagna
This scrumptious lasagna earned its name due to the simple preparation. This Easy Cheesy Lasagna recipe utilizes no-boil noodles making it a cinch to put together. It features a robust meat sauce that’s layered with classic ricotta cheese and mozzarella then it can be baked or chilled until dinner time. Classic Italian made easy.
Easy Cheesy Lasagna Recipe
I often get requests for busy day meals. Being a Mom myself, I completely relate and understand the daily meal dilemma. I often make this Italian favorite for my family but the technique I typically use to make it is a process and I wouldn’t describe it as “no fuss. So, I set about to put together a that would be much easier to assemble on hectic days. Italian dishes are among my very favorite meals to assemble in advance. The flavors tend to become even more robust and it really helps busy Parents get food on the table with less hassle. How to make Easy Cheesy Lasagna: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)
- Ground Beef and Sausage – On the stove top in a deep pot over medium-high heat cook beef, sausage and onion in a couple of drizzles of olive oil until no pink remains Season with salt and 1 tsp black pepper then drain any excess fat from pot.
- Season – To the pot add garlic, 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute.
- Sauce – Add pasta sauce, tomato sauce and basil. Simmer for 15 minutes then remove from the heat. Remove bay leaf from the sauce.
- Ricotta – In a small mixing bowl mix together ricotta, eggs, 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan, and remaining 1 tsp dry Italian seasoning. Add 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- Assemble: Ladle 1/2 cup sauce into the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch dish. Arrange one layer of lasagna noodles over sauce.
- Spread noodles with 1/3 of the ricotta. Cover with 1/3 meat sauce then sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers ending with noodles, meat sauce and 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top.
- Bake – Cover with aluminum foil spritzed with cooking spray so the cheese won’t stick to it. Bake covered in a preheated 350°F oven per the recipe.
- Uncover, and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the noodles are fork tender.
- Let stand on counter for 10 minutes then cut and serve.
How to Make the BEST Easy Cheesy Lasagna
- Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Easy Cheesy Lasagna with no boil noodles: Lean ground beef, sweet or spicy Italian sausage, onion, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, prepared pasta sauce [i.e. Bertolli 5 Cheese or similar], Italian seasoned tomato sauce, fresh basil, no boil lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, large eggs, grated Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian Blend of Cheese.
- Kitchen tools you’ll need: Large pot or Dutch oven to make the sauce, 13 x 9 inch dish, small bowl, measuring cups and spoons, large spoons, sharp knife and cutting board and cheese grater.
- The biggest time saver with this lasagna is using no boil noodles. They’re readily available in most supermarkets and they make lasagna so much simpler to prepare.
- To save time, the sauce can be made in advance and either frozen or kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before assembling. It will easily store frozen for up to 3 months.
- You can also assemble the entire lasagna one day in advance for a true time saver. Fully assemble and cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge.
- When assembling in advance, allow 20 minutes on the counter to warm a bit before baking. Adjust the baking time, if needed.
- Store baked Easy Cheesy Lasagna chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat lasagna in single serving portions in the microwave or in a 350°F oven covered with foil until heated through.
More Easy Italian Recipes to Make
- This Italian Sausage Rice Pilaf will up your side dish game.
- Family style Italian Sausage Stromboli.
- Braised Italian Pot Roast.
- Easy to make Cheesy Italian Sausage Stuffed Manicotti.
- Spaghetti and Meatballs is Italian comfort food.
- Baked Ziti is another casserole you can make in advance and bake just before serving.
- Serve this Meatball Pizza as an entree or an appetizer.
- Hot Italian Cheddar Dip from Cabot Cheese.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Easy Cheesy Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef
- 1 lb ground sweet or spicy Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion diced
- olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 tsp black pepper divided
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp dry Italian seasoning [plus 1 tsp]
- 1 medium bay leaf
- 2 24 oz jars pasta sauce [i.e. Bertolli 5 Cheese or similar]
- 1 8 oz Italian seasoned tomato sauce
- 2 Tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 1 12 oz box no boil lasagna noodles
- 2 12 oz containers ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 4 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese or Italian Blend of Cheese divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Sauce: On the stove top in a deep pot over medium-high heat cook beef, sausage and onion in a couple of drizzles of olive oil until no pink remains Season with salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Drain excess fat from pot.
- To the pot add garlic, 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add pasta sauce, tomato sauce and basil. Simmer for 15 minutes then remove from the heat. Remove bay leaf from the sauce.
- Ricotta: Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl mix together ricotta, eggs, 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan, and remaining 1 tsp dry Italian seasoning. Add 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- Assemble: Ladle 1/2 cup sauce into the bottom of the prepared dish. Arrange one layer of lasagna noodles over sauce.
- Spread noodles with 1/3 of the ricotta. Cover with 1/3 meat sauce then sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat layers, ending with noodles, meat sauce and 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top.
- Cover with aluminum foil spritzed with cooking spray. Bake covered for 1 hour.
- Uncover, and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the noodles are fork tender.
- Let stand on counter for 10 minutes then cut and serve.
I had a box of no boil noodles and came upon your recipe. I did make a few tweaks but it came out very good. I’m going to open another jar of spaghetti sauce and heat it up to spoon over the top of the leftovers.
Can I used regular boiled noodles instead of the other ones?
Yes, if you prefer.
I’ve been trying for days to make the lazy day lasagna and I finally made it today it came out very well I didn’t have quite enough cheese but I used another type and it came out beautiful thank you for your recipe I will try more 😄
I’m so happy you loved this one Judy, visit often!
Hi Joy, thank you! It’s great to hear from you, thanks for stopping by for a visit. ~ Melissa
Melissa, this recipe sounds wonderful. I like being able to make a pan of lasagna in a little less time and trouble than usual! I love how you seasoned the ricotta layer…so many recipes leave that layer kind of bland. This lasagna sounds like it would be full of authentic flavor!
Love, Joy @ Yesterfood.blogspot.com
Hi sweet Linda! I can’t find enough uses for egg roll wrappers you are so right. Great tip, my friend! 🙂
This sounds perfect Melissa. I’ll give this a try for sure. One of my secrets for no fuss lasagna has been using egg roll wrappers. They’re so thin and cook up just like the real thing. I guess we just keep coming up with new ways to enjoy our free time (although sometimes, time in my kitchen feels like free time) lol:)