Craving lasagna without the endless layering? Lazy Lasagna delivers all the warm, cheesy comfort of traditional lasagna without the fuss. This simplified casserole uses penne pasta tossed with seasoned ground beef and marinara, layered with a creamy ricotta mixture and plenty of mozzarella so it bakes up bubbly and irresistible.
⭐ Why Melinda Loves Lazy Lasagna
This recipe takes the flavors of classic lasagna—hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella—and skips the tedious noodle stacking. It’s a time-saving, family-friendly dish that still tastes homemade.
Make-ahead friendly: assemble ahead and bake later, or refrigerate leftovers for an easy reheat.
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🍅 Ingredients to Have on Hand
Tender penne pasta, savory ground beef, creamy ricotta and melty mozzarella come together to create an easy, comforting casserole without the layered effort. Below are the essentials you’ll need for this recipe.
Store-bought marinara: Use your favorite jarred sauce for convenience. This recipe is forgiving—good quality jarred sauce works well.
Pasta: Penne is recommended because its shape holds the sauce, but ziti, rigatoni, farfalle, or other sturdy short pastas will work. Gluten-free pasta can be used if needed.
Ricotta: Whole-milk ricotta yields a richer, creamier filling, though part-skim ricotta is fine if you prefer. If using cottage cheese as a substitute, drain it first for best texture.
Scroll to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and measurements.
👩🏻🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Brown the ground beef in a skillet, then stir in marinara and simmer briefly. Meanwhile, boil the pasta until just shy of al dente and reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water before draining.
Combine the drained pasta and the reserved pasta water with the meat and sauce so the pasta is well coated.
Step 2: Stir everything together so the pasta is evenly coated with the meat sauce. The reserved pasta water helps the sauce cling to the noodles.
⭐ Pro Tip
Brown the beef in a large skillet and simmer the marinara in the same pan. Use a skillet large enough to mix the pasta with the sauce so you can assemble straight from the pan into your baking dish.
Step 3: In a bowl, combine ricotta with an egg, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, salt and Italian seasoning for a smooth, seasoned filling.
Step 4: Spread half of the pasta-meat mixture into a greased 9″ x 13″ baking dish.
Step 5: Spoon the ricotta mixture over the pasta layer.
Step 6: Gently spread the ricotta to cover the layer evenly.
Step 7: Sprinkle half the shredded mozzarella over the ricotta.
Step 8: Add the remaining pasta-meat mixture on top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella.
Step 9: Top with the remaining Parmesan, cover with lightly greased foil, and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
Step 10: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes until the top is lightly browned and the edges bubble. Let rest 10 minutes before serving; spoon extra warmed marinara over individual portions if desired.
💭 Recipe FAQs
No—omitting the reserved pasta water is fine. The ladled pasta water helps the sauce cling to the pasta and adds a touch of starch to enrich the sauce, but plain water is not necessary.
A bit of ground pepper adds warmth and balances the sweetness of the tomatoes, enhancing the overall flavor of the sauce.
Yes. Cottage cheese can replace ricotta in equal amounts, though it has a lumpier texture and tangier flavor. For best results, drain excess moisture from cottage cheese before using.
⭐ Pro Tip
For a thicker, Bolognese-style texture, use an immersion blender to pulse the cooked beef and marinara together before adding the pasta. This creates a richer, more uniform sauce.
📖 Substitutions
Pasta: Choose a sturdy shape that holds sauce—penne, ziti, rigatoni, rotini, farfalle, or large elbow macaroni are all good choices.
Marinara: Store-bought sauce keeps this recipe quick and easy. Use your favorite jar or a homemade sauce if you have one on hand.
🥘 What to Serve with Lazy Lasagna
Crunchy salad: A crisp green salad with a bright vinaigrette balances the richness of the casserole.
Warm rolls: Soft dinner rolls or garlic bread are an excellent accompaniment for sopping up extra sauce.
Simple dessert: Finish with a light Italian-inspired dessert or a fruit-based treat to contrast the hearty main dish.
🌡️ Leftovers and Storage
Store Lazy Lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven or in the microwave until hot throughout.
To freeze: cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.
🍽 Other Tasty Dinner Recipes
Here are a few other family-friendly dinner ideas you might enjoy when you want a quick, satisfying meal.
-
Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry
-
10 Dutch Oven Chicken Recipes
-
Dutch Oven Pot Roast
-
Easy Pork Tenderloin with Orange Sauce
If you make Lazy Lasagna, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Please leave a star rating and a comment—your feedback helps others decide what to try next.
Recipe
Lazy Lasagna
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dried penne pasta
- 2 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 5 cups marinara sauce, divided (reserve 1 cup for serving, optional)
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese (one small container)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup grated Parmesan, divided
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 13″ x 9″ baking dish. Set aside.
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt and cook the pasta about 2 minutes less than package directions so it’s slightly firm.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain excess fat, return beef to the pan, then pour in marinara, add 1 teaspoon pepper, and bring to a simmer.
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, Italian seasoning (if using), 1/2 cup Parmesan, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and the egg.
- Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Toss the pasta with the beef and marinara in the skillet, add the reserved pasta water, and stir to coat evenly.
- Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spoon the ricotta mixture over the pasta and spread evenly.
- Top with half of the shredded mozzarella. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top.
- Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan.
- Lightly spray the underside of a piece of foil with cooking spray, cover the dish, and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until cheese is lightly browned and the casserole bubbles around the edges. Warm the reserved 1 cup marinara for serving if desired.
- Remove from oven, tent with foil, and let rest 10 minutes. Serve with extra marinara spooned over individual portions.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition details are estimates based on a food database and should be used as a guideline, not an exact measurement.