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This easy lasagna is one of those dependable, back-pocket dinners that works for busy weeknights, Sunday family meals, and everything in between. It’s layered with seasoned ground beef, oven-ready noodles, a simple cottage cheese mixture, and plenty of sauce and cheese — no boiling noodles, no complicated steps.
If you’re looking for a classic, comforting lasagna recipe that actually feels doable, this one delivers every time.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Lasagna
- Uses oven-ready (no-boil) noodles
- Simple, classic ingredients
- Easy to adjust for 1–2 pounds of ground beef
- Great for make-ahead or freezer meals
- Feeds a crowd without extra work
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses pantry-friendly ingredients and flexible options depending on what you have on hand.
- Ground beef (1–2 pounds)
- Italian seasoning and simple pantry spices
- Spaghetti sauce (Try our Homemade version)
- Oven-ready lasagna noodles
- Cottage cheese or ricotta
- Mozzarella and parmesan cheese
- Egg and fresh herbs for flavor
Equipment Needed
- Large skillet – Used for browning and seasoning the ground beef before adding the sauce. A wide skillet helps the meat cook evenly and allows excess grease to be drained easily.
- Mixing bowl – For combining the cottage cheese mixture until smooth and creamy. Mixing this well helps create even layers and a better final texture.
- 9×13 baking dish – This ceramic casserole dish works perfectly for layering and baking lasagna evenly.
- Aluminum foil – Covering the lasagna while it bakes helps it heat through without drying out or overbrowning.
- Spatula or large spoon – Helpful for spreading sauce and cheese layers evenly throughout the dish.
- Sharp knife or serving spatula – Makes slicing and serving clean layers easier once the lasagna has rested.
How to Make Easy Lasagna
This lasagna is designed to be straightforward and forgiving, which makes it perfect for busy nights or first-time lasagna makers. It starts with browning the ground beef and seasoning it well before adding the sauce. Cooking the meat first builds flavor and ensures it’s fully cooked before the lasagna goes into the oven, while simmering it briefly in the sauce helps everything meld together.
The cottage cheese layer is mixed until smooth and creamy, which is key for even layers and a tender texture. Taking a moment to fully blend this mixture prevents pockets of cheese and helps the lasagna slice cleanly once baked.
Assembling the lasagna is simply about balance. Alternating layers of sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, and meat sauce ensures every bite has a little of everything. There’s no need to overthink it — lasagna is very forgiving, and neat layers matter less than even distribution.
Baking the lasagna covered allows it to heat through evenly and keeps the top from browning too quickly. Uncovering it toward the end lets the cheese melt fully and turn lightly golden and bubbly.
Letting the lasagna rest before slicing is an important final step. This gives the layers time to set, making it easier to cut clean portions without everything sliding apart.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
PrintEasy Lasagna
This Easy Lasagna is a classic, family-style dinner made with seasoned ground beef, oven-ready noodles, a simple cottage cheese layer, and plenty of sauce and cheese. It’s hearty, comforting, and easy to assemble — perfect for busy weeknights, make-ahead meals, or feeding a crowd.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Rest time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
- 1–2 lbs ground beef
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (per pound of beef)
- 1 tsp garlic salt (per pound of beef) or garlic powder if preferred
- 1.5 tsp onion powder (per pound of beef)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cups cottage cheese (or ricotta if preferred)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- ⅛ cup parsley
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 48 oz spaghetti sauce (Homemade, or 2 (24-oz) cans favorite spaghetti sauce)
- 12-16 oven-ready (no-boil) lasagna noodles
- ⅛ cup fresh chopped parsley, basil, oregano or 1 tbsp Italian seasoning – for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Brown ground beef in a large skillet with Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and onion powder; drain excess grease.
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In a bowl, mix cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, ¼ cup parmesan, parsley, and egg until well blended. Set aside.
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Stir spaghetti sauce into the cooked ground beef until evenly combined.
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Spread 1 cup meat sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Top with 3-4 oven-ready noodles, ⅓ of the cottage cheese mixture, and 1/3 remaining meat sauce.
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Repeat layers 2 more times.
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Top with remaining 3-4 noodles, remaining meat sauce, remaining mozzarella, and remaining parmesan.
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Cover tightly with lightly greased foil.
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Bake 1 hour. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned.
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Let rest 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Garnish with your choice of parsley, fresh basil, oregano, or Italian seasoning.
Notes
-
Meat Amount:
This recipe works well with 1–2 pounds of ground beef. Use 1 pound for a lighter lasagna or 2 pounds for a heartier, extra-meaty version. -
Seasoning Tip:
Season the ground beef per pound to keep flavors balanced. Adjust salt and pepper after browning to taste. -
Cheese Options:
Cottage cheese keeps this lasagna creamy and classic, but ricotta may be substituted 1:1 if preferred. -
Oven-Ready Noodles:
Oven-ready (no-boil) noodles are used in this recipe. Be sure the noodles are fully covered with sauce so they soften properly while baking. -
Noodle Count:
Depending on the brand and size of your baking dish, you may need 12–16 oven-ready noodles to fully layer the lasagna. -
Make-Ahead Friendly:
Lasagna can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance, covered tightly, and refrigerated until ready to bake. -
Freezer Friendly:
Assemble, wrap tightly, and freeze unbaked for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. -
Rest Before Cutting:
Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes after baking to help it set and slice cleanly.
Tips for the Best Lasagna
- Fully cover the noodles with sauce to ensure oven-ready noodles soften properly.
- Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing — this helps it set.
- Adjust seasoning per pound of beef to keep flavors balanced.
- Cottage cheese keeps things light and creamy, but ricotta works perfectly too.
Make-Ahead & Freezer Instructions
Make-Ahead:
Assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Freezer-Friendly:
Assemble, wrap well, and freeze unbaked for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
Serving Ideas
Serve this easy lasagna with:
- Our homemade breadsticks (they’re perfect for soaking up extra sauce)
- A simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
It’s a complete, comforting meal that’s perfect for feeding family or guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
Yes, this lasagna can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. If baking straight from the fridge, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the covered baking time to ensure it heats through fully.
Do I need to cook the noodles first?
If the recipe calls for regular lasagna noodles, they should be cooked according to package directions before layering. If using oven-ready or no-boil noodles, they can be layered directly into the lasagna as directed, as long as there is enough sauce for them to soften while baking.
Can I substitute ricotta for cottage cheese?
Yes, ricotta cheese can be used in place of cottage cheese if you prefer. Cottage cheese tends to create a lighter texture, while ricotta results in a slightly richer, denser layer. Both work well in this recipe.
How do I know when the lasagna is fully cooked?
The lasagna is done when it is bubbling around the edges, the cheese is melted, and a knife inserted into the center comes out hot. The internal temperature should be around 165°F in the center.
Why should I let the lasagna rest before slicing?
Letting the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes allows the layers to set. This makes it much easier to cut clean slices and prevents the lasagna from falling apart when served.
Can I freeze this lasagna?
Yes. Lasagna freezes very well either baked or unbaked. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking or reheating.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Leftover lasagna can be reheated in the oven, covered with foil, at 350°F until warmed through. Individual slices can also be reheated in the microwave, though oven reheating helps maintain texture better.
More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like:
- More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Easy Homemade Bread
If you make it please consider leaving a review.
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