Easy lasagna? Does that sound like an oxymoron? That’s how I always felt but when I realized how quickly my family would down lasagna after a late night soccer practice, I decided to figure it out. See, when my kids have to eat dinner late, I like to pick an option I know they love to encourage a speedy devouring of the meal to scoot them along to showers and bed at a respectable speed and this easy lasagna does the trick!
Easy lasagna requires a few worthy shortcuts. First, no boil lasagna noodles, obviously. Second, your favorite marinara sauce. Third, buy the pre-grated Parmesan.
It also helps to have a designated lasagna pan, which is deep enough to perfectly accommodate all the layers. I used to make it in a 9×13 Pyrex and while that will work, the depth of a lasagna pan makes a difference.
The method is simple: brown meat, add garlic, add sauce, simmer. Meanwhile beat eggs and then in the same bowl as the cheeses, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Then layer: sauce, noodles, cheese mixture two times, then the top layer is noodles, sauce, and a sprinkle of remaining mozzarella. Bake at 350, covered, for 50 minutes, then uncover and bake 15 more. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes and then you’re ready to dig in!
I hope you and your family enjoy this easy lasagna as much as we do; if you make it, please let me know!
Easy Lasagna
Description
This easy lasagna is great for Sunday night dinner, to bring to a friend, or to have ready and waiting for the kids after soccer practice. It’s simple, hearty, and delicious: a new family favorite.
Ingredients
1 lb beef
1/2 lb sausage
3–4 garlic cloves, minced
48 ounces (2 jars) marinara sauce
2 eggs
15 ounces ricotta
1/2 c grated Parmesan
1.5 c shredded Mozzarella
1 Tbsp dried parsley
1 package of no boil lasagna noodles
salt and pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large skillet, brown meat. After about 5 minutes, add the minced garlic and saute for another minute or two. Add the marinara to the skillet and bring to a simmer for about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile beat eggs. Then in the same bowl add the cheeses, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
To assemble, put a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of your lasagna pan. Add a layer of no boil lasagna noodles, followed by a layer of half the cheese mixture and sauce. Repeat another layer of noodles, the other half of the cheese mixture, and sauce. Then for the top layer, place the noodles then sauce, and a sprinkle of remaining mozzarella.
Bake at 350, covered, for 50 minutes, then uncover and bake 15 more. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes and then you’re ready to dig in!
Erika says
While this sounds and looks amazing I don’t think it’s something I could do for a quick supper night but will make when I do have more time! Any suggestions for something when you don’t get home from activities until 7:00 and bedtime is 8:00 (and they need to shower and do the bedtime routine)? There are many days we leave at 6:30 in the morning and are only home after work and school long enough to grab a snack and change for whatever activity we need to get to so I don’t have a lot of prep time either (when I’m on the ball I’ll prep on the the weekend but that doesn’t always happen either).
Brittany Dixon says
That’s a busy season for sure! I have some favorite make ahead meals like stuffed shells or Suzie’s chicken, but for something to throw together quick I like naan pizzas, shrimp pasta, soup and grilled sandwiches, or something like cooking potatoes in the slow cooker then putting together a quick and easy baked potatoes bar.
Judy says
You can avoid the (expensive) pre-cooked noodles, by just using regular and adding 1/2 c extra water to the sauce. cover the dish tightly with foil and bake. Remove foil for the last 15 minutes to brown the top!
Brittany Dixon says
This is an amazing tip! I am definitely going to try that next time; thank you!
Katie Murray says
Can’t wait to make this. My family loves lasagna. There is a typo above. “Ass the cheese” lol.
Brittany Dixon says
Ohhh my gosh LOL! Thank you!