Easy Lasagna Recipe with No Boil Noodles
This easy lasagna recipe with no boil noodles has delicious, classic flavors with a no-fuss twist! The no-boil noodles cook beautifully for a hassle-free weeknight dinner the whole family enjoys.
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Why no boil noodles? Because they are so easy and you can’t tell the difference once the lasagna is cooked! The key is giving them enough room to expand during the recipe – and making sure you have enough sauce for them to soak up. Lasagna has a reputation for being a labor-intensive recipe, and no boil noodles change that conversation.
Love hearty, family-friendly meals? Then you’ll definitely want to try my skillet lasagna recipe, homemade lasagna with stuffed shells, and bowtie lasagna. They’re all about big flavors and simple, everyday ingredients, just like this lasagna!
Lassagna is on my son’s absolute favorite recipe. This is my go-to recipe that I can whip together pretty quickly to enjoy at our family dinner. The recipe is a combination of what was on the box of noodles and my own spin on it.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Family Favorite: This easy lasagna recipe is a hit with the whole family. It’s a classic, hearty, and comforting dish that never fails to impress.
- Time-Saving: No-boil noodles and a simple layer-by-layer assembly make this recipe a time-saver. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you just don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen.
- Flavor-Packed: Despite its simplicity, this lasagna is incredibly flavorful. The combination of ground beef, three types of cheese, and a rich pasta sauce creates a dish that’s hard to resist.
- Comfort Food: There’s something about a warm slice of lasagna that just screams comfort. This recipe is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for cozy nights in.
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Key Ingredients
- No-Boil Lasagna Noodles: These noodles make the recipe super easy because you don’t have to boil them before layer them in the dish.
- Ricotta Cheese: This will add a creamy texture to the lasagna and a slightly tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
- Cottage Cheese: It adds a delicious cheesy flavor that enhances the other ingredients beautifully.
- Parmesan Cheese: Its strong, nutty flavor will add a delicious depth to the dish.
- Ground Beef: This ingredient brings a hearty, meaty flavor to the lasagna.
- Pasta Sauce: You can use your favorite store-bought sauce or make your own. It’s the base of the dish, adding a rich, tomato flavor and keeping the lasagna moist.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully and adds a gooey, cheesy layer to the lasagna.
Equipment
- 13×9 Pan – You’ll need this to layer your lasagna. It’s the perfect size for this recipe.
- Large Skillet – This is essential for browning the ground beef.
How to Make Easy Lasagna with No Boil Noodles
Preparation
To start, preheat your oven to 375˚ F. This will make sure that it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake your lasagna.
Step 1 – Prepare the Cheese Mixture
In a bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. This will be the delicious, cheesy filling for your lasagna.
Step 2 – Cook the Ground Beef
Next, brown the ground beef in a skillet. Cook it until it’s fully done, then drain off any excess fat.
Step 3 – Layer the Lasagna
In a 13×9 inch pan, start by spreading 1 cup of your sauce mixture on the bottom. Then, layer the uncooked lasagna noodles, sauce, cheese mixture, cooked meat, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat this layer three more times.
Step 4 – Add the Final Cheese Layer
After the last layer, top your lasagna with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Then, cover the pan with foil and bake it in the preheated oven.
Step 5 – Bake the Lasagna
Place your lasagna in the oven and bake it for 40 minutes. After that time, remove the foil and bake it for an additional 10 minutes. This will make the cheese on top nice and bubbly.
Step 6 – Let the Lasagna Rest
Once your lasagna is done baking, take it out of the oven and let it stand for at least 15 minutes before serving. This will help it set and make it easier to cut into beautiful, cheesy slices.
Step 7 – Serve the Lasagna
After it’s rested, your lasagna is ready to serve. Cut it into squares and watch as the layers of cheesy, saucy, meaty goodness are revealed. Enjoy your easy, no-boil noodles lasagna!
Expert Tip
Lasagna is only as good as the sauce that you use in the recipe. My personal favorite is Mid’s pasta sauce.
Recipe Variations
- Different Meat: This recipe calls for ground beef, but feel free to use ground turkey, sausage, or a combination of different meats for a unique flavor.
- Vegetarian: Omit the meat altogether and add more vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach to make a delicious vegetarian lasagna.
- Extra Cheesy: If you’re a cheese lover, add a layer of provolone or Gouda cheese in between the mozzarella for an extra cheesy lasagna.
What to Serve With
- For a complete Italian meal, serve this easy lasagna with a side of garlic bread. It’s perfect for soaking up any extra pasta sauce.
- If you’re hosting a family dinner, pair this lasagna with some homemade meatballs and spaghetti. The flavors of the two dishes complement each other beautifully, making it a surefire way to please everyone at the table.
- A fresh, crisp salad will also work great on the side of this easy lasagna. Our family particularly loves this kale salad recipe.
Make Ahead Instructions
You can assemble this lasagna and store it in the refrigerator overnight. This way, all you have to do is pop it into the oven the next day!
Recipe FAQs
No-boil lasagna noodles are a type of lasagna noodle that is designed to be used in a recipe without being boiled beforehand. They cook during the baking process, absorbing moisture from the other ingredients in the dish.
Absolutely! This recipe calls for ground beef, but you can easily substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even Italian sausage. You can also leave the meat out entirely for a vegetarian version.
While a 13×9 pan is the most commonly used pan for lasagna, you can use a different size if that’s what you have on hand. Just keep in mind that a different size might affect the thickness of your layers and the overall cooking time.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: You can store any leftovers in the refrigerator. Simply let the lasagna cool completely, then cover it with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: If you’d like to freeze your lasagna, I recommend doing so before baking. Assemble the lasagna in a freezer-safe dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and then foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen lasagna, simply transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator. Let it thaw for 24 hours.
- Reheating: Once thawed, remove the plastic wrap and foil, and bake as directed. If you’re reheating a refrigerated lasagna, you can simply pop it back in the oven at 350˚F for 20 minutes or until it’s heated through.
More Pasta Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This easy lasagna recipe yields a delicious, hearty meal for 12 people.
- How to Scale: If you’re planning to serve more than 12, you can easily double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. Just make sure your baking dish is large enough to accommodate the increased quantity. If not, you can divide the mixture and use two 13×9 baking pans.
Easy Lasagna Recipe with No Boil Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz ricotta cheese
- 8 oz cottage cheese
- 4 Cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 9 oz no-boil lasagna noodles
- 1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese
- 48 oz pasta sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375˚ F.
- Brown ground beef until fully cooked. Drain the fat. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, two cups of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan. Set aside.
- In a 13×9 pan, spread 1 cup of sauce mixture on the bottom of the pan and then layer the following:3 uncooked no-boil lasagna noodles1 cup sauce3/4 cup of the Ricotta cheese mixture3/4 cup of the cooked meat1/4 cup mozzarella cheeseRepeat for 3 more layers
- Top with the remaining sauce, then the mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-20 minutes until the edges are bubbly and the center reaches 160˚ F.
- Let stand at least 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2017. The instructions have been updated. The recipe remains the same.
This lasagna tastes good but it is entirely too wet for my tastes. I like the dish a little more solid and able to be cut. I put it back in the oven to tighten it up by getting rid of some of the excess moisture. No cook noodles are a crapshoot at best. Yes, they’re convenient but I think I will go back to the regular type of lasagna noodles just the same.
I generally do not use homemade sauce for any rhyme or reason so I see no reason to start now. I use 45 oz jar of ragu chunky garden style, and I add a tiny bit of water for the noodles in a 11×13 glass pan. Cover tight and bake 375° 1 hr. Mine comes out better than those I know of who make their own sauce. So in my home cook opinion there is nothing wrong with jarred sauce.
Hi! i was wondering about two things that I’d really appreciate if you could answer! First, what size pan do you usually use when you make this lasagna, and second, what kind of mushrooms do you usually add? Thanks!
Hi Caitlyn. Thanks for stopping by! I use a 9×13 pan to make this lasagna. I also use fresh mushrooms because I prefer that kind – you could really use either but watch the salt content if you use canned as they can be a bit salty. Let me know how it goes!
This is in the oven as I type. My kids love lasagna, but I’ve not yet mastered it. My mom and sister have so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I was worried that the noodles overlapped a little…hope that’s okay. Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
This sounds really good. Was wondering if you can use this as a freezer meal? I’m a beginner with freezer meals and I just want to make sure so I don’t waste anything.
Hi Nancy, you can use this as a freezer meal. I’ve done it many times before. Just make sure to completely thaw your lasagna before baking. Since you’re just starting to make freezer meals, here are a few of my favorites. https://www.cleverlysimple.com/category/recipes/freezer-cooking-recipes/
Thank you so much. Everything looks so delicious definitely going to try them. Thank you again
Wow! Thanks for the recipe! Shaking my head at the other comments . . . Let’s be polite, ladies!
Homemade Lasagna should not be made with bottled sauce. You’ve gone to the trouble of making lasagna, please use homemade sauce.
Don’t knock it we don’t all have the time to make our own sauce. If u feel strongly about it I’m sure u find the time. I’m a busy person who doesn’t have the time I use jarred there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. It’s already made for me and it’s quick for those busy pple.
I used the no bake lasagna noodles and box said that the noodles would expand …..
well that was not the case so I didn’t have enough to feed my family
The noodles don’t swell that much but they do swell. I use a 11×13 size pan with 3 layers. It works well 4 me. I have 6 and sometimes 7 growing kids to feed, plus myself and my husband. We end up with leftovers enough for lunch the next day. Good luck.
I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading very slow for me.
Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end?
I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
Yes it’s very slow. Not u lol.