Lazy lasagna is exactly what it sounds like: a lazy way to make a deconstructed lasagna recipe. This recipe uses no special ingredients and is a budget-friendly meal made with noodles, ground beef, cottage cheese, and a quick homemade tomato sauce. It is easy to modify so you can use what you have on hand, and even sneak in some extra veggies!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Lazy lasagna is a quick and easy, budget-friendly dinner that feeds a ton of people.
- It is easy to modify. Easily make this lazy lasagna gluten-free, egg-free or add some extra spice!
- This lasagna bake recipe is loved by all ages! Kids to adults, everyone likes it. And it is easy to hide some extra veggies in (yay!).
- Use what you have on hand. Have some leftover chicken you need to use in the fridge? Great. Want to use up some veggies that are about to go bad? Add 'em in!
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Lazy Lasagna Ingredients
- Cottage Cheese - Cottage cheese can be substituted for ricotta, if desired. This recipe was designed to be "budget-friendly" and use more staple ingredients, which is one of the reasons why I used cottage cheese.
- Pasta - Any pasta noodle can be used for this recipe. In the end, it is all just lasagna with noodles.
- Maple Syrup - Can be substituted for brown sugar or honey.
- Ground Beef - Substitute the ground beef for any protein you have on hand. Ground turkey, chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken or Italian sausage are all good options!
A full ingredient list with the exact quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
Optional Recipe Modifications
- Make It Spicy - Add chili pepper flakes or diced jalapeno while cooking the sauce to add some heat to the dish.
- Make It Egg-Free - If you are sensitive to eggs, simply leave them out! The cottage cheese filling will be a slightly different texture, but the egg doesn't make or break the dish!
- Make It Gluten-Free - Use a gluten-free pasta, such as chickpea pasta, or Catelli gluten-free pasta.
- Add Extra Veggies! - Easily add extra veggies to the sauce as it is cooking. I like to use peas, corn, and cubed carrots! Fresh or frozen, either works.
If you love all types of lasagna (because, same!), you have to try my easy lasagna soup in a slow cooker and my classic tray baked lasagana, too!
What to Serve With Lazy Lasagna
As a staple, serve this with a couple of pieces of garlic bread!
When I am serving this lasagna to a crowd, I like to serve it with some fresh vegetables like these crispy kalettes, oven roasted broccoli or a salad like this fresh, crunchy broccoli salad or creamy kale caesar salad.
For a quick little dessert after dinner, whip up a batch of my crazy delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies!
How to Make Lazy Lasagna
Step 1
To make the cottage cheese filling, in a small bowl, add the cottage cheese, egg (optional), parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
Also, cook the pasta noodles to al dente and set aside until ready to assemble.
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Step 2
Brown the beef and cook off the shallots and garlic. This is also when you can sneak in some extra veggies like corn, peas or carrots.
Step 3
Make the sauce. Make the meat sauce by adding the stock cube, water, maple syrup, spices and tomato sauce to the pan. Stir it all up and let it cook for a few minutes to thicken up.
Step 4
Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce and get ready to assemble your lazy lasagna.
Step 5
In a large, deep casserole dish, add half of the lasagna noodle mixture to the bottom of the dish. Layer all of the cottage cheese filling on top of the noodles, and smooth it out. Add the remaining lasagna noodles on top. Cover it with cheese and parsley and bake it for 30 minutes.
Step 6
When the cheese is bubbly and brown, the lazy lasagna is done. Remove it from the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving. Serve it with a healthy slice of garlic bread or a green salad for something fresh!
Expert Tip
- After the initial baking time, you can put your lazy lasagna under the broiler for a couple of minutes to carmelize and brown the cheese. But be sure to keep a close eye on it so it doesn't burn!
How to Store Leftover Lazy Lasagna
Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. Lazy lasagna will last for 3-4 days if properly stored and can be reheated in the microwave, oven, or on the stovetop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, of course! I used cottage cheese in this recipe because it is readily available and uber budget-friendly (plus with the cottage cheese craze going around right now, everyone has some extra in their fridge!). Cottage cheese can easily be swapped for ricotta in a 1:1 ratio, if you prefer.
Any kind of noodle shape can be used for this recipe. I prefer using tubular-shaped pastas such as penne, fusilli, rotini, bow ties, or shells. But even spaghetti can be used in a pinch!
Of course! Use what you have on hand or what you like! Some other great cheese options (other than cheddar) are Gouda, Gruyère, fresh mozzarella, or montrey jack.
Yes! Leave out the ground beef or substitute it for cubed tofu, and instead of using half of a beef stock cube, use half of a vegetable stock cube.
Yes! Lasagna recipes freeze incredibly well, and that makes them perfect for meal prep or stocking up your freezer with yummy meals!
To freeze this lasagna, prepare it up until you are ready to bake it. Instead of baking it, cover it with a tight layer of aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To bake it, remove the plastic wrap or aluminum foil and bake for 50-60 minutes, until it is bubbly and the cheese is lightly browned.
A quick note - I recommend using a disposable aluminum tray. Glass can shatter when undergoing major temperature changes. A hot oven + a frozen glass dish, not always the best combo.
More Pasta Bake Recipes
Looking for more pasta bake recipes like this? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Lazy Lasagna
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Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 500 grams Pasta cooked
Cottage Cheese Filling
- 2 cups Cottage Cheese
- 1 large Egg
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
Tomato Beef Sauce
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 2 Shallots diced
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- ½ Beef Stock Cube
- ½ cup Water
- 2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 1 Tablespoon Basil
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 796 ml Passata or Tomato Sauce (approx. 3 ⅓ cups)
Cheese Topping
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- Parsley optional, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cook the pasta until al dente and set aside.
Cottage Cheese Filling
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, egg, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Stir it all together until the egg is fully combined in the mixture. Set aside until ready to assemble.
Tomato Beef Sauce
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook the ground beef until lightly browned. Add the shallots and garlic, sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Add half of a beef stock cube to the bottom of the pan and break it up using the back of a spoon. Add water, maple syrup, basil, salt and pepper and cook for 2 more minutes. Pour in the passata or tomato sauce and stir until fully combined. Lower the heat and let simmer for 5-8 minutes, until slightly thickened. Stir in the cooked pasta noodles.
Assembling the Lazy Lasagna
- Using a large deep (9x13) casserole dish, add half of the noodles to the bottom. Add all of the cottage cheese filling on top of the first layer of noodles and smooth it out with a spatula into an even layer. Top with remaining noodles, spreading them out evenly. Add the cheddar cheese and Parmesan on top and sprinkle with parsley (if using). Bake for 30 minutes. To brown the cheese on top, broil on high for 2-4 minutes at the end of baking time, keeping an eye on the casserole so it doesn't burn. Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.
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Notes
- Cottage cheese can be substituted for ricotta using a 1:1 ratio.
- Add extra veggies such as corn, peas or carrots.
- Maple syrup can be substituted with brown sugar or honey.
- Any protein can be used; ground turkey, ground chicken, shredded chicken, or sausages are all good options.
- The egg can be left out to make this lasagna egg-free.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Prepared lasagna can be frozen for up to 3 months, before or after baking.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Jessica says
We love this lazy lasagna! It is an easy-to-make, family-friendly recipe that is perfect for a busy weeknight!