Easy Lasagna Recipe | Lasagna Casserole With Ricotta Cheese

Looking for a simple, crowd-pleasing homemade lasagna recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners? This easy lasagna casserole combines layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender pasta for a classic Italian dish that’s as delicious as it is easy to make.

Why You’ll Love This Comforting Creation

• Feeds a crowd. With 12 hearty servings, you won’t have to worry about anyone gathered around your kitchen table going hungry.
• Easy to make. Follow a few super simple steps for a completely fool-proof lasagna. Believe me when I say that you will have to TRY to mess up this dish.
• Great for meal prep. The flavors in this recipe actually get better the longer you let them sit. That makes this lasagna casserole a fantastic option for freezing or just tossing in the fridge for an easy grab and go packed lunch.

Whether you’re looking for a delicious meal to take to your next potluck, a hearty meal to feed a large family, or just want something extra yummy to pop in the freezer for meal prep, this easy lasagna recipe is a guaranteed winner.

What Does Lasagna Casserole Taste Like?

Lasagna casserole tastes like a warm, hearty, and comforting blend of flavors and textures. It typically has rich, savory layers with the following elements:

• Saucy and Meaty Base– The ground beef combined with tomato sauce gives the dish a tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavor.
• Creamy and Cheesy Layers– Lasagna casserole is known for its creamy textures, thanks to layers of ricotta cheese. Combined with gooey, melted mozzarella and grated Parmesan, it adds a salty, nutty, and rich element.
• Soft and Al Dente Pasta– The noodles bring a mild, slightly chewy texture that absorbs the flavors of the sauce and cheese.
• Comforting Bake– Baking melds all the layers together, creating crispy edges, bubbling cheese on top, and a satisfying warmth in every bite.

Ingredients To Grab

• Ground Beef– Adds a savory, hearty element to the lasagna. It serves as the protein component in the dish and contributes to the texture and flavor of the meat sauce layer.
• Lasagna Noodles– Acts as the structural element of the dish. The flat, wide noodles create layers that hold the meat, cheese, and sauce together while providing a satisfying texture.
• Marinara Sauce– Provides moisture and a tangy, flavorful base for the lasagna. It ties the dish together by complementing the richness of the cheeses and meat with its acidity and spices.
• Mozzarella Cheese– Adds gooey, melty texture and a mild, creamy flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese– Used for its sharp, nutty flavor. It adds a salty and savory element to the dish and enhances the overall flavor.
• Ricotta Cheese– Provides a creamy, rich layer in the lasagna. It serves as a binder for other ingredients in the filling and creates a soft, smooth texture.
• Egg– Added to the ricotta cheese mixture to act as a binder. They help the cheese mixture set and hold its shape during baking, preventing it from becoming too runny.
• Minced Garlic– Adds depth and a savory, slightly spicy flavor to the lasagna, enhancing the taste of the cheese, meat, and sauce.
• Spices- Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper give it an herby, earthy, and savory flavor.

How To Make Easy Lasagna

Cook the ground beef. Place the ground beef in a large skillet. Cook it for 5-7 minutes, using a spatula to crumble beef into small pieces until there is no pink remaining. Remove any excess drippings. Add minced garlic and allow it to sauté until the garlic is golden brown. Pour in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes.

Boil the pasta. While you are cooking the ground beef, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the lasagna noodles in the water and cook for 8-10 minutes. Once the pasta is al dente, drain the water and allow the pasta to cool.

Create the cheesy filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and seasonings. Mix until well combined.

Layer the lasagna. Spray a 9×13 pan with nonstick spray. Place 1/4 of the meat sauce into the bottom of the pan. Place three lasagna noodles into the pan on top of the meat sauce. Take 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture and spread it evenly on top of the cooked pasta. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese on top of the ricotta layer. Repeat the layers 2 more times. Finish with a layer of meat sauce and more shredded mozzarella cheese.

To recap, the layers should be:

• Sauce
• Pasta
• Cheese Filling
• Sauce
• Pasta
• Cheese Filling
• Sauce
• Pasta
• Cheese Filling
• Sauce

Bake until bubbly. Place the assembled easy lasanga casserole into an oven preheated to 375F. Allow it to bake for 45-50 minutes, or until bubbly

Serve and enjoy! Let the lasagna rest for 20-30 minutes. This will allow the dish to be less runny and will result in a less sloppy serving experience. Serve and enjoy!

Tips And Tricks

• Don’t overcook the pasta. If you boil the lasagna noodles too long, it makes them easy to break and harder to work with. To be safe, I always cook a few extra noodles so I can swap out any that may break while assembling the lasagna.
• Keep the layers even. Try to portion out your sauce and ricotta cheese filling so your layers will be even. There’s nothing worse than getting to the final layer and realizing you’re out of sauce or filling.
• Let it rest. The resting period after cooking is essential for a successful serving experience. Letting the casserole cool for 20-30 minutes after it bakes ensures the layers aren’t slipping and sliding everywhere while plating it.

Variations

• Swap out the sauce. If your family doesn’t love tomato sauce, feel free to swap it out for a lovely cream based sauce or pesto instead.
• Choose a different protein. Rotisserie chicken, ground turkey, or ground sausage are delicious substitutes for ground beef in this easy lasagna casserole.
• Add veggies. This dish is a great way to sneak in some extra veggies. Toss some chopped onions, bell peppers, and spinach in with your ground beef while it is cooking. You can also purée a carrot or kale in with your marinara sauce for added nutrition and sweetness.

What To Eat With This Easy Lasagna

 Lasagna is a rich, hearty dish, so pairing it with complementary sides can create a balanced and satisfying meal. Here are some great options to eat with it:

• Garlic Bread– Crispy, buttery, and garlicky bread is a classic pairing.
• Salad– A light salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a tangy vinaigrette helps balance the richness of the lasagna.
• Roasted Vegetables– To add a little more nutrition to your plate, try roasting a combination of a zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and asparagus.

How Long Does It Last?

When stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container, lasagna typically lasts for 3 to 5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it, place it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes for a quick bite.

Alternatively, place the lasagna in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil to prevent the lasagna from drying out. Bake it at 375 for 25-30 minutes until warmed through.

Can You Freeze It?

If you need to store it for longer, lasagna can be frozen, where it stays safe to eat for up to 2 to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, place them in the refrigerator over night to allow it to defrost and bake according to the instructions above.

If you want to cook it straight from frozen, bake the lasagna at 375F for 60-90 minutes or until warmed through.

More Perfect Pasta Recipes

• Million Dollar Spaghetti
• Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups
• Cheese Manicotti
• Instant Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff
• Cheesy Taco Pasta

If you love this Easy Lasagna recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on social media so they can try it too! Don’t forget to save this link so you can make it again next time you’re needing the perfect family meal.