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Super Easy Lasagna Recipe
This super easy lasagna recipe is especially handy when you want a homemade dinner without a long list of ingredients. The oven-ready noodles also mean there’s no separate pot of water to boil before assembling the dish.
With its familiar flavors and generous layer of melted cheese, this is the kind of dinner that works well for a busy weeknight, a casual weekend meal, or whenever you’re craving something hearty and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients: Ground beef, onion, spaghetti sauce, mozzarella, and oven-ready noodles are all you need.
- Easy preparation: The beef and onion cook together before the sauce is added, keeping the preparation straightforward.
- No-boil noodles: Oven-ready lasagna noodles go directly into the baking dish, so there’s no need to boil them first.
- Cheesy and hearty: Plenty of shredded mozzarella gives the finished lasagna a bubbly, golden cheese topping.
- Family-friendly flavors: The combination of beef, tomato sauce, and mozzarella has a familiar, pizza-inspired flavor.
- Great for busy nights: The recipe comes together quickly before going into the oven.
For the Lasagna
- Ground Beef – You’ll need 1 ½ pounds. This creates the hearty base of the sauce and gives the lasagna its “hamburger pizza” vibe.
- Onion – Just ½ diced onion adds mild sweetness and savory depth when cooked with the beef.
- Prego Spaghetti Sauce – Use two 24-oz jars (traditional works great). This is your rich, ready-to-go tomato sauce that brings everything together without extra seasoning.
- Shredded Mozzarella – A full 5 cups for all that melty, bubbly cheese goodness layered throughout the dish.
- Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodles – A 9-oz box. No boiling needed—these soften perfectly as the lasagna bakes.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Super Easy Lasagna
Step 1: Cook the Beef and Onion
Start by browning the ground beef and diced onion together in a frying pan. Cook them until the beef is fully cooked and the onion has softened into the meat mixture.
Step 2: Add the Spaghetti Sauce
Once the beef mixture is cooked, stir in both jars of spaghetti sauce. Mix everything together well so the sauce coats the beef and onion evenly.
Step 3: Begin Layering the Lasagna
Spoon 1 cup of the meat and sauce mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Arrange four oven-ready lasagna noodles over the sauce.
Step 4: Build the Remaining Layers
Spread half of the remaining meat mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle half of the mozzarella over the top. Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, meat mixture, and cheese.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Bubbling
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake according to the recipe card. After the covered portion of baking, remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese on top is melted, golden, and bubbling.
Tips for the Best Super Easy Lasagna
- Use the oven-ready lasagna noodles specified in the recipe so they can cook directly in the sauce.
- Make sure the ground beef is fully cooked before adding the spaghetti sauce.
- Stir the sauce thoroughly into the cooked beef and onion so the meat mixture is evenly coated.
- Follow the layering order in the recipe so the noodles are surrounded by the meat mixture and cheese.
- Keep the lasagna covered with foil during the first part of baking as directed, then remove the foil for the final baking stage.
- Watch the cheese during the uncovered portion of baking. The finished top should be melted, golden, and bubbling.
- Let the layers settle briefly after baking before serving so the dish is easier to portion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Boiling the oven-ready noodles: These noodles are specifically used without boiling first. Place them directly into the baking dish.
- Skipping the sauce beneath the first noodles: The recipe starts with sauce on the bottom of the baking dish, so don’t leave this layer out.
- Adding the cheese all at once: The mozzarella is divided between the layers rather than placed entirely on top.
- Forgetting to cover the dish: The lasagna is covered with foil for the first part of baking before the foil is removed.
- Removing the foil too early: Keep the dish covered for the first 30 minutes as directed, then uncover it for the remaining baking time.
- Not checking the cheese: The final stage is important for getting a melted, golden, bubbling cheese topping.
Easy Ways to Change It Up
These are optional ideas for changing the finished dish; they are not changes to the original recipe.
- Try a different spaghetti sauce: A different variety of tomato-based spaghetti sauce can change the flavor while keeping the basic structure of the dish.
- Use another melting cheese: Mozzarella can be replaced or combined with another cheese that melts well, although this will change the original flavor and texture.
- Add vegetables: Diced vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms could be incorporated into the meat mixture if desired.
- Adjust the onion: If you enjoy a stronger onion flavor, you could use more onion in an adapted version.
- Change the meat: Ground turkey or another ground meat can be used as an alternative, though the flavor will differ from the original ground beef version.
- Add seasoning: The original recipe relies on the spaghetti sauce for its flavor, but an adapted version could include additional seasonings if desired.
How to Serve Super Easy Lasagna
Serve this lasagna as the centerpiece of a hearty dinner. A simple green salad makes a fresh accompaniment, while garlic bread or crusty bread is useful for enjoying the tomato sauce.
For a larger family-style meal, pair it with a simple vegetable side such as roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, or green beans.
Because the lasagna is already rich with beef, tomato sauce, noodles, and mozzarella, simple sides work especially well without competing with the main dish.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This lasagna can be assembled ahead of time according to the information provided with the recipe. If preparing it the night before, cover it and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake it.
The recipe information also indicates that the lasagna freezes well and can be frozen either baked or unbaked.
For reheating individual slices, the provided guidance recommends adding a spoonful of extra sauce and reheating in the microwave or oven until hot.
When storing or reheating the lasagna, keeping some sauce with the portion can help maintain the saucy texture of the dish.
Super Easy Lasagna Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs . ground beef
- ½ onion, diced
- 2 jars (24 oz.) Prego Spaghetti Sauce (traditional recommended)
- 5 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 box (9 oz.) oven-ready lasagna noodles
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef and diced onion together in a frying pan until fully cooked.
- Stir both jars of sauce into the pan until everything is well combined.
- Spoon 1 cup of this sauce mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.
- Place 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread half of the remaining meat mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella across the top.
- Repeat the layers: noodles, meat mixture, then cheese.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 15 minutes, or until the top layer of cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling.
Notes
If you loved this rceipe, you’ll want to try these reader-favorite recipes next!
Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Cracker Barrel-Style Chicken and Dumplings
They’re just as comforting, flavorful, and easy to make for any weeknight dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to boil the lasagna noodles first?
Nope! Oven-ready noodles go straight in. They soak up the sauce while baking and come out perfectly tender. One less pot to wash – winning!
- My sauce looks a bit thin… will the noodles still cook properly?
They sure will. Oven-ready noodles love a bit of extra moisture because that’s what softens them as they bake. As long as your sauce isn’t watery, you’re good to go.
- Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
Absolutely. In fact, lasagna often tastes even better when assembled the night before. Cover it, pop it in the fridge, then bake when needed. Perfect for busy nights or entertaining.
- How do I keep the top from drying out?
Foil is your friend! Bake it covered so everything gets steamy and soft, then whip the foil off for the last bit so the cheese can get golden and bubbly. The best of both worlds.
- Does this freeze well?
Yes — beautifully. Freeze it baked or unbaked. For reheating slices, add a spoonful of extra sauce and microwave or bake until hot. It’s one of those dishes that tastes just as good (sometimes better!) the next day.
