Name: Extra Easy Lasagna
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 (14-ounce) cans chopped tomatoes; 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 (8-ounce) package no-boil lasagna noodles; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 6 slices fresh mozzarella cheese; Chopped parsley for garnish

A slice of lasagna layered with meat, cheese, and marinara sauce, garnished with parsley on a white plate. | quickierecipe.com

Your Weeknight Savior

This Extra Easy Lasagna has saved dinner at my house more times than I can count. You know those nights when everyone's hungry and you're running on empty? That's when this recipe becomes a lifesaver. It has all the comfort of traditional lasagna but comes together so quickly my family thinks I've been cooking all day.

A Cook's Best Friend

The beauty of this recipe is how it takes classic lasagna and makes it weeknight-friendly. I've simplified everything from the meat sauce to using no-boil noodles but kept all that wonderful cheesy goodness. My kids say it tastes just like grandma's version that simmers all day. The fact that it freezes beautifully is just an extra gift.

What You'll Need

Simple meat: Ground beef makes the best base though sometimes I use turkey when I'm feeling lighter.
Pantry tomatoes: Those cans hiding in your cabinet work perfectly here.
Quick sauce magic: Tomato paste and simple seasonings create incredible flavor without hours of cooking.
Smart noodles: No-boil lasagna noodles are my secret weapon for busy nights.
Cheese heaven: The combination of mozzarella ricotta or cottage cheese and parmesan creates pure comfort.

Common Questions Solved

After years of making this lasagna I've learned what works best. That ricotta versus cottage cheese debate? Both are wonderful just different. Ricotta makes everything smooth and creamy while cottage cheese adds lovely texture. For layering I start with noodles then meat and cheese. My daughter helps count the layers to make sure we get it right every time.

A deliciously layered lasagna topped with melted cheese and garnished with parsley sits on a white plate. | quickierecipe.com

Perfect Timing

The hardest part about making this lasagna is waiting while it bakes. Those 35 to 45 minutes feel like forever when the kitchen smells so amazing. I peek through the oven window watching for that golden bubbly cheese on top. Then comes the real test of patience letting it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Trust me this step makes all the difference between messy servings and perfect slices.

Simple Steps

Brown Your Beef: Just 5 quick minutes in my favorite skillet with a bit of oil. The kitchen starts smelling wonderful already.
Quick Sauce: Add those tomatoes and seasonings right to the meat. No long simmering needed just 5 minutes to bring the flavors together.
Layer With Love: Start with those amazing no-boil noodles then layer meat sauce and that wonderful mix of cheeses.
Bake Until Perfect: Cover with foil and let it work its magic. That last 10 minutes uncovered gets everything golden and bubbly.

Making It Your Own

I love how flexible this recipe is. Sometimes I use ground turkey when that's what's in my freezer. Those big cans of whole tomatoes work perfectly too I just snip them up with kitchen scissors. Every now and then I get creative with the cheeses mixing different types of mozzarella. My friend Sarah adds extra red pepper flakes for more heat her family loves it spicy.

Smart Shortcuts

Those no-boil noodles changed my lasagna game completely. No more juggling hot pasta or extra pots to wash. The sauce doesn't need hours of simmering either just a few minutes to blend those flavors together. These little time-savers make such a difference on busy nights without sacrificing any of that homemade taste.

The Waiting Game

That rest time after baking might seem like torture when everyone's hungry but it's worth every minute. I learned the hard way that cutting in too soon makes everything slide around. Those 10 to 20 minutes let all the layers settle into perfect slices. Plus it gives me time to toss together a quick salad and warm up some garlic bread.

Freezer Friendly

One of my favorite things about this lasagna is how well it freezes. Sometimes I make two at once one for dinner and one for later. Nothing beats having a homemade meal ready to go in the freezer. My daughter just started college and now she asks me to send her back with individual portions wrapped up for study nights.

Perfect Partners

A simple green salad and warm crusty bread make this meal complete. When friends come over I add a bottle of red wine and some fresh herbs sprinkled on top. The whole house fills with that amazing Italian aroma while it bakes. My neighbor always knows when it's lasagna night she can smell it from her porch.

Family Memories

This lasagna has become more than just dinner at our house. It's what I make for special celebrations or when someone needs comfort food. My kids learned to cook helping me layer the ingredients. Now my teenage son makes it by himself when it's his turn to cook. Some of our best family conversations happen around this dish.

Make Ahead Magic

My busy mom schedule taught me the beauty of prep work. Sometimes I brown the meat and mix up the sauce the night before keeping it in the fridge. Other times I assemble the whole lasagna in the morning then just pop it in the oven at dinner time. The no-boil noodles actually work better when they have time to soak up all those wonderful flavors.

Holiday Helper

This lasagna has saved more holiday gatherings than I can count. While everyone else is stressing over complicated recipes I'm calmly layering my fool-proof dish. It feeds a crowd looks impressive and leaves me time to actually enjoy my guests. Last Christmas my sister-in-law couldn't believe it wasn't an old family recipe passed down for generations.

Kitchen Notes

Little details make this recipe special. I always grease my baking dish well so nothing sticks. That foil cover is important for keeping everything moist while it bakes. Sometimes I write these tips in my recipe book to remember what works best. My daughter already asked me to copy them all down for when she gets her own kitchen someday.

A close-up view of a baked pasta dish featuring layers of noodles, ground meat, marinara sauce, and melted cheese, garnished with parsley in a red casserole dish. | quickierecipe.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why use no-boil noodles?: No-boil noodles save time and effort while providing the same texture as traditional lasagna noodles when properly layered with sauce.
→ Can I substitute cottage cheese for ricotta?: Yes, the recipe specifically offers cottage cheese as an alternative to ricotta. Both provide similar texture and protein content.
→ Why let it rest before serving?: The 10-minute rest allows the layers to set and makes it easier to cut clean slices without the filling spreading.
→ Why remove foil near the end?: Removing the foil for the final 10 minutes allows the top to brown and the cheese to develop a golden crust.
→ Can I make this ahead?: Yes, you can assemble the lasagna ahead and refrigerate. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

Extra Easy Lasagna