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Home » Recipes » Ground Beef

Lazy Lasagna Casserole

Published: Jun 12, 2024 · Modified: Apr 6, 2025 by Debra Clark · 2 Comments

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This Lazy Lasagna Casserole is so easy to make and it is packed with flavor! It is the perfect comfort food for a busy day or lazy weekends, a meal the whole family will love. You can never go wrong with a cheesy pasta casserole like this one!

This yummy casserole is layered with cooked ground beef, a creamy ricotta mixture, mozzarella cheese, and pasta noodles. It is baked in the oven until hot and bubbly.

Lazy Lasagna Casserole in baking dish with serving spoon.
Lasagna casserole topped with lots of cheese!

Next time try the Johnny Marzetti Recipe - this is a cheesy hearty casserole!

Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe   
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions 
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's
  • Top Tip
  • Storage
  • Related recipes
  • Serve with
  • Lazy Lasagne Casserole Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe   

Unlike classic lasagna, this casserole is much easier to assemble. It's filled with layers of cheesy goodness, which makes it picky eater-approved! This easy recipe makes great leftovers because it tastes even better the next day.

Lazy Lasagna Casserole ingredients, with print overlay.

Ingredients

For the exact measurements for the Lazy Lasagna Casserole recipe, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  • Ground beef - You can use ground chicken or even Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
  • onion
  • Italian seasoning
  • rotini pasta, penne pasta, Mafalda pasta (which is the curly mini lasagna noodles pictured below).
  • Mozzarella cheese is the traditional choice. However you can change up the cheese with provolone, gouda, or even sharp cheddar cheese. Extra cheese is always a plus!
  • ricotta cheese
  • eggs
  • Parmesan cheese
  • pasta sauce, marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce, whichever you'd prefer.

Add in a layer of frozen spinach that has been thawed and squeezed dry for extra flavor. That would be amazing!

Instructions to make pasta casserole dish, with print overlay.

Instructions 

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

  1. Preheat the oven and spray the baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Cook the pasta to al dente, drain well and set aside. Save 1 cup pasta water.
  3. Brown ground beef and onion. Drain the grease and return the pan to the heat. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and cook, stirring, for a minute or two. 
  4. Add the marinara and water and simmer. Stir in the cooked pasta, remove from the heat and set aside.
  5. Add ricotta and eggs to a medium mixing bowl and combine. Add one cup of mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese.
  6. Add half of the beef/pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spoon dollops of the ricotta mixture evenly over the top. Finish with remaining meat sauce, spreading it out evenly.
  7. Sprinkled with remaining parmesan cheese.
  8. Cover with foil and bake. Garnish with fresh parsley and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Equipment

  • 9x13 casserole dish
  • large pot or dutch oven
  • large skillet
  • medium bowl
  • aluminum foil

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FAQ's

Should I use a glass or metal casserole dish for lasagna?

I recommend using a glass or ceramic casserole dish but you can use a metal pan, I just suggest lowering the oven temperature by 25 degrees if you are using a metal dish.

What is lazy lasagna?

Lazy lasagna is a lasagna casserole that is made of pasta, meat, and cheese. This dish takes all the effort out of making lasagna because there is no need to build multiple layers in this casserole recipe.

Should casseroles be baked with foil on or off?

Bake this casserole covered. It will prevent the cheese from browning too much and the pasta from drying out.

Top Tip

Make sure the casserole is good and saucy. No one likes dry pasta!

  • If you are using very lean ground beef, you may need to add a small amount of olive oil or cooking oil so that your beef does not stick to the skillet.
  • If you decide to use Italian sausage instead of ground beef, be sure to remove it from the casing before you brown it.
Lazy lasagna on dish with fork.
Lazy Lasagna Recipe

Storage

Refrigerate - Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3 days in an airtight container.

Freezer - Assemble the casserole, but do not bake it. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake as directed.

Reheat - Individual slices can be reheated in the microwave or you can reheat the entire casserole dish in a 350-degree oven for 15 - 20 minutes or until warmed all the way through.

Related recipes

I'm a big fan of great recipes for easy meals. Here are some of our favorites to get great food on the dinner table fast!

  • If you love easy casserole recipes, then next time you will want to give this Old Fashioned Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole recipe a try.
  • Chicken Spaghetti Recipe - cheesy and sauce, this is the most popular casserole on the blog!
  • For those days when you prefer to use the crockpot, use this recipe for Crockpot Lasagna with Ravioli - this easy ravioli lasagna recipe has layers of ravioli and it's loaded with sauce and cheese.
  • Are you looking for a simple meal for busy nights that your whole family will enjoy? This Lemon Garlic Pasta is not only easy to make, but it's also full of garlic and citrus flavors that makes it irresistible.
  • This Creamy Beef Noodle Casserole is one of my favorite easy dinner recipes. It's filled with simple ingredients and comforting flavors that are perfect for school nights.

Serve with

  • If you ask me you can't have lazy lasagna without garlic bread, and this Air Fryer Garlic Bread recipe is crispy and flavorful, you will love it.
  • My family enjoys a fresh green salad like this Kale Superfood Salad when we eat a hearty meal like this one. You can never go wrong with fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing as a side to any meal.
  • I like to end a hearty meal like this one with a crunchy yet sweet cookie like these Crispy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies. They are a great handheld dessert to enjoy after a big meal. Or give make the Cracker Barrel Fried Apples, with a scoop of ice cream? These are just heavenly!.

If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! 

Lasagna in baking dish with spoon.
5 from 4 votes

Lazy Lasagne Casserole Recipe

Don't spend all day in the kitchen! Make this easy recipe in minutes instead of hours. It's perfect for busy weeknight meals!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
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Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 692kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ¼ cup chopped onion
  • 1 pound rotini pasta shells cooked and drained
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese substitute cottage cheese if you prefer
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 24 ounces spaghetti sauce
  • 2 tablespoons minced parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13 x 9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
  • Cook the pasta according to package directions to al dente, drain well and set aside. Save 1 cup pasta water.
  • In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, brown beef and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Drain excess grease and return the pan to the heat.
  • Add the marinara and water and let it simmer for 5 minutes until warmed through. Stir in the cooked pasta, remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Add ricotta and egg to a large mixing bowl. Add half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese and parsley, and stir until smooth and creamy.
  • Add half of the beef/pasta mixture to the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon dollops of the cheese mixture evenly over the top. Top with remaining beef/pasta mixture, spreading it out with the back of a spoon to cover the creamy layer.
  • Sprinkled with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 692kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 616mg | Potassium: 1630mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 5375IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 833mg | Iron: 5mg

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    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kristin says

      February 16, 2024 at 9:07 am

      5 stars
      So good

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        February 16, 2024 at 12:40 pm

        Thanks Kristin!! Glad you enjoyed the casserole!!

        Reply
    Blogger Deb Clark smiling at camera holding a plate filled with a casserole.
    Welcome to Bowl Me Over!

    Hey I'm Deb Clark! I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over. We live in a sleepy little town just north of Portland in the beautiful Pacific Northwest... (read more)

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