This lazy lasagna recipe is perfect for busy nights when you want all the flavors of classic lasagna without the effort. Perfect for the whole family, it’s a great way to use simple ingredients to create a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love It
This lazy lasagna bake delivers all the great flavors of a classic dish without the hassle of layering or waiting for cooked pasta to hit al dente perfection.
By swapping out broken lasagna noodles or mini lasagna noodles for pre-made cheese ravioli, you get all the satisfaction of homemade lasagna with none of the stress.
Plus, this great recipe is super versatile! Want to up the protein? Use lean ground beef, ground chicken, or italian sausage.
Craving veggies? Toss in some extra veggies like spinach or mushrooms. And let’s not forget the fresh basil and marinara sauce that make this dish sing like a true Italian opera.
It’s a good idea for everything from last-minute family dinners to meal prep for the next day.
So grab your casserole dish and some aluminum foil, and let’s make this lazy version of lasagna a reality!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Fresh Ravioli: I used spinach and ricotta cheese ravioli, but you could use plain cheese ravioli or even add some short rib raviolis for a twist. If you wanted to skip the ravioli and use pasta noodles (such as bowtie pasta, campanelle pasta, regular ole' cooked lasagna noodles) - you will need to cook the pasta in a large pot of water according to the package directions. You will also need to make a ricotta cheese mixture since another type of pasta isn't stuffed with the cheesy ricotta mixture. If you've only got frozen ravioli, you can do that, too - just add more time to the overall cook time to account for it - about 15-20 minutes.
- Marinara Sauce: A jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce or store-bought sauce works perfectly. I use Rao's Marinara sauce in this easy recipe because it's my favorite store bought pasta sauce. You could also use my bolognese sauce (the most delicious meat sauce!) if you wanted to!
- Mozzarella Cheese: I highly recommend low moisture mozzarella when making this pasta dish.... But you could swap in a blend of shredded italian cheeses, some parmesan cheese or a dollop of cottage cheese for a tangy twist. Fresh mozzarella works just fine but is a little more watery in the finished product.
- Store Bought Meatballs: Use whatever you love—ground chicken, italian sausage, ground turkey, or even lean ground beef. You could also just go ahead and brown ground beef or ground turkey. And if you don't eat meat, just leave it out!
- Fresh Basil: Adds brightness and ties the whole thing together. You can substitute dried Italian seasoning or skip it if you don’t have fresh.
- Optional Additions: If you’re feeling fancy, add a drizzle of olive oil and parmesan cheese for extra richness. Or you could add whatever yummy veggies you prefer!!
How to Make It
PREHEAT OVEN: Set your oven to 400°F.
START WITH SAUCE: Spread ½ jar of tomato sauce across the bottom of a 13x9” baking dish or a large skillet.
LAYER RAVIOLI: Add half the cheese ravioli in an even layer.
ADD CHEESE & MEAT: Sprinkle 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese on top, then crumble your meatballs over it.
BUILD THE MIDDLE LAYER: Pour another ½ jar of marinara sauce, add the fresh basil, and sprinkle on another cup of the mozzarella.
FINISH THE TOP: Add the remaining ravioli, top with the last cup of mozzarella cheese, and cover with aluminum foil.
BAKE: Bake for 45 minutes with the foil on. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes to achieve a golden, bubbly top. You can also broil the top for a few minutes if needed.
LET IT REST: Give it 15 minutes to cool before slicing—trust me, this extra step makes all the difference!
SERVE OR SAVE: You can place any leftovers from this easy lazy lasagna recipe in an airtight container.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Lazy Lasagna
If the thought of making traditional lasagna on a busy night makes you want to scream into your large pot of salted water (lol), this cheesy lazy lasagna recipe is here to save the day. With just a few simple ingredients and a baking dish, you can create a family favorite that’s perfect for feeding the whole family—even those picky eaters! Here's some tips on how to make it even better for your family.
- Customize Your Meat: Swap in ground turkey, ground chicken, or even your favorite italian sausage for a heartier meal. For a lighter version, try using AmyLu's Roasted Garlic Chicken Meatballs or another version made with lean ground beef or a plant-based substitute.
- Amp Up the Veggies: Add some sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for a pop of color and nutrients. Cooking them on medium heat with a splash of olive oil is a great way to keep them tender and flavorful.
- Cheese Mixture Magic: While this recipe skips the ricotta cheese layer of regular lasagna, you can always mix a little of either into your mozzarella for an extra creamy texture. You could also use cottage cheese to make this a high protein lazy lasagna that the whole family will love.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Airtight Container: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers in a medium-high heat oven at 375°F, covered with aluminum foil, to keep the cheese gooey.
- Freezing: This versatile recipe is also freezer-friendly! Assemble everything in your baking dish, but don’t bake it yet. Wrap it tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 20-30 minutes to the bake time.
What to serve with Lasagna?
Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve with this lazy lasagna casserole:
- Garlic Bread with balsamic dipping oil
- Kale Apple Slaw with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
- Sausage, Kale and White Bean Soup
- Easy Yellow Squash & Zucchini Recipe (Simple Southern Side)
- Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Candied Nuts, Spinach & Citrus Basil Vinaigrette
Recipe
Lazy Lasagna Recipe (Easy, One-Pot & 5 Ingredients!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 38 oz Fresh Ravioli (I recommend spinach ricotta)
- 4 overflowing cups Marinara Sauce (about 1.5 22oz jars)
- 3 cups Low Moisture Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 1 lb Meatballs fully cooked & thawed (chicken, beef or pork - whatever you prefer)
- ½ cup Fresh Basil roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
- Add ½ jar of tomato sauce to the bottom of a 13x9” baking dish.
- Add half of the ravioli in an even layer followed by 1 cup of mozzarella.
- Crumble the thawed meatballs on top and add another ½ jar of tomato sauce followed by the basil.
- Add another cup of mozzarella cheese then the rest of the ravioli.
- Top with remaining cup of tomato sauce and remaining cup of mozzarella and then cover in foil.
- Bake with the foil on for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes turning on the broiler the last few minutes if needed.
- Remove and let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
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