This lasagna casserole has all the classic flavors of traditional lasagna but in an easy-to-make casserole. This family-friendly baked pasta dish is perfect for weeknight dinners!

Overhead view of an easy lasagna casserole in a white baking dish with golden melted cheese, surrounded by fresh basil and Parmesan.

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Lazy Lasagna Casserole

Lasagna casserole is as simple as my easy crockpot lasagna recipe, but baked like the best homemade lasagna recipe that I make when I’ve got a little extra time on my hands.

This lazy lasagna is the perfect combination of a classic, saucy, and cheesy baked pasta, without having to worry about arranging lasagna noodles. It’s a cozy, comfort meal with plenty of familiar flavors that can also be prepped a couple of days in advance!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • It’s an easy lasagna casserole ready in under an hour.
  • Serves 8 people and makes great leftovers!

Ingredients Notes

Ingredients for easy lasagna casserole arranged on a white surface, including ground beef, pasta, ricotta, marinara sauce, cheese, onion, garlic, and seasonings.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Pasta: Any medium pasta works for this recipe. I like campanelle pasta, but you can also use bow-tie pasta or penne noodles.
  • Ground beef: Use lean ground beef or Italian sausage. For spice you could also try hot Italian sausage.
  • Marinara sauce: This is when I like to use homemade marinara. If you prefer a jar of store-bought marinara sauce, use that.
  • Cheeses: You’ll need ricotta cheese, freshly grated mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
  • Aromatics and seasoning: Chopped onion, minced garlic, fresh basil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

How to Make Lasagna Casserole

Sauté onions in a large pot over medium heat for 3-5 minutes then add garlic. Once onions are tender, add beef and break up while cooking until no longer pink. Drain excess grease.

Stir in the marinara sauce, chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, then stir in the cooked pasta.

Ground beef cooked with marinara sauce, fresh basil, and spices for lasagna casserole filling.
Cooked campanelle pasta drained in a colander for making easy lasagna casserole.

In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, with Italian seasoning.

Campanelle pasta combined with meat sauce in a pot to prepare lazy lasagna casserole.
Ricotta cheese mixture with Italian herbs in a glass bowl for layering in easy lasagna casserole.

Spoon half of the pasta mixture into a preheated 9×13 baking dish and top with dollops of the ricotta mixture. Top with the other half of the pasta mixture then sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.

Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly! Serve garnished with fresh basil or parsley (I’m partial to basil here) and enjoy!

Lazy lasagna casserole layered with campanelle pasta, meat sauce, and dollops of ricotta cheese mixture in a baking dish.
Unbaked lasagna casserole topped with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, ready to go in the oven.

Recipe Tips

  • Cook noodles to al dente so they don’t overcook in the oven.
  • Grated fresh mozzarella is the way to go. It melts much more easily.
  • Not a must, but serving with fresh herbs sprinkled on top really takes it up a notch.
  • Let the lasagna pasta bake sit for a few minutes before serving, so it’s not hot and soupy!
Close-up of lasagna casserole with a serving spoon showing pasta, ground beef, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella.

Serving Suggestions

A slice of garlic bread and a simple green salad are all you need. We also love it with Olive Garden salad, especially with the homemade Olive Garden dressing to match.

Caesar salad and breadsticks are also delicious options.

Serving of lazy lasagna casserole on a plate with toasted bread slices and fresh basil garnish.

More lasagna recipes to try include lasagna roll ups, white chicken lasagna with pesto and easy lasagna soup.

More Pasta Casserole Recipes

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Baked lasagna casserole in a white Staub baking dish topped with melted cheese and fresh basil.

Lasagna Casserole Recipe

5 from 5 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8
This lasagna casserole has all the classic flavors of traditional lasagna but in an easy-to-make casserole. This family-friendly baked pasta dish is perfect for weeknight dinners!
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Video

Ingredients 

  • 12 ounces campanelle pasta , bow-tie or penne noodles
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 4 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 pound ground beef , or Italian sausage
  • 1 (26-ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 2-4 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup ricotta
  • 2 cups grated fresh mozzarella cheese , divided
  • ½ cup Parmesan
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

For serving (optional): Fresh basil or Parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Boil pasta according to package instructions. Drain. If you like a more saucy pasta, start with adding less.
  • In a large pot, heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Stir in 1 cup onion and and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add in garlic and cook until onions are tender. Add in one pound ground beef and cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until browned. Drain excess grease, if needed. Stir in 26 ounces marinara sauce, 2-4 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes and then stir in cooked pasta.
  • Mix the ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup parmesan in a bowl. Add in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
  • Assemble: Spoon 1/2 of the pasta mixture into the baking dish. Add dollops of ricotta mixture. Spoon the remaining pasta mixture over top. Top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.
  • Top with fresh basil to serve.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Spice: Feel free to add some red pepper flakes to give the dish a little heat.
Cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts better than the pre-shredded.
Make-ahead: To make in advance, simply assemble, cover with foil, and place in the fridge. The dish will keep in the fridge for about 2 days. When ready to bake, remove the foil and bake at 350°F for 35 to 45 minutes.
Reheating leftovers: Loosely cover with foil and cook in the oven at 350°F until warmed throughout. The foil helps to keep the pasta from drying out. I’ve found that it takes about 15 minutes to heat all the way through.

Nutrition

Calories: 452kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 61mg, Sodium: 795mg, Potassium: 759mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 719IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 151mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for some heat.
  • Swap the ground beef for ground turkey in the meat sauce.
  • Add veggies like chopped mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
  • Cottage cheese can be used in place of ricotta. You may want to purée it if you don’t love the texture of cottage cheese.

Recipe FAQs

How to prep this in advance?

Lazy man lasagna is great for meal prep because you can assemble it completely, cover it in foil, and keep it refrigerated for up to 2 days until you’re ready to bake it.

How to store leftovers?

Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.

What is the best way to reheat it?

If there’s enough to warrant using the oven, do that! Tent it loosely with foil and reheat for about 15 minutes in a 350°F oven. The foil helps prevent it from drying out.

If it’s just a small portion, use the microwave, but DO NOT tent with foil!