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    Home » Recipes » Entrees

    Easy Homemade Lasagna Casserole

    by Mindy Boyd · Published: Jul 29, 2016 · Updated: Dec 10, 2024

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    ⏲️ 1 hour hr
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    Our Quick and Easy Homemade Lasagna Casserole is perfect for busy nights because it easier to make than a traditional lasagna recipe. There is no need to carefully cook lasagna noodles and take the time to layer them.

    The entire baked Quick and Easy Homemade Lasagna Casserole in a casserole dish.

    This is also known as lazy lasagna casserole because you just have to cook the meat and pasta, mix the cheeses together and then mix it all up. Pour it into a casserole dish, bake it and voila!, a dish that has the same taste as lasagna, but much faster and easier.

    This dish is nostalgic for me. It reminds me of the holidays because my sister-in-law used to make it for dinner on the Friday after Thanksgiving. She would invite everyone over to spend time with all of our relatives that were in from out-of-town. 

    One serving of lazy lasagna casserole on a white plate.
    Jump to:
    • Why you’ll love this easy lasagna casserole recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to make this easy lasagna recipe
    • Variations
    • Storage & Reheating
    • Make ahead options
    • Try these delicious pasta dishes next!
    • Easy Homemade Lasagna Casserole
    • More popular pasta dishes
    A large spoonful of Quick and Easy Homemade Lasagna Casserole in the foreground and the baking dish full in the background.

    Why you’ll love this easy lasagna casserole recipe

    • Pasta is a dish the whole family will love. 
    • It has all the flavors of traditional lasagna but it’s easier to make. 
    • There is pasta, marinara sauce, and lots of cheese!
    • Making lasagna this way is just about fail proof.
    • Store brand ingredients are great in this recipe and help to make it less expensive. 
    Half of the whole baked casserole is visible.

    Ingredients

    See recipe card for exact amounts.  

    All of the ingredients to make Quick and Easy Homemade Lasagna Casserole Recipe measured out.

    Ingredient Notes

    pasta – we like to use rotini because it is readily available. See variations section below for more options. 

    pasta sauce – we usually use the store brand for this since we are adding other ingredients that give it tons of flavor. Use your favorite brand. 

    ground beef – I like to use lean ground beef so I don’t have to drain it.  

    cottage cheese – traditional lasagna has ricotta cheese but we like to use cottage cheese because it is mixes up better and is less expensive. 

    mozzarella cheese – I use pre-shredded because it is convenient.

    Parmesan cheese – if I have a block of this already on hand I will use freshly grate. If not I will buy the pre-shredded type. 

    onion – adds another depth of flavor to our lasagna. 

    egg – this helps bind our casserole together.

    herbs and spices – garlic (I use the kind that comes in a jar already minced), Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper. 

    One serving of Quick and Easy Homemade Lasagna Casserole on a plate in the foreground and the remaining pasta casserole in the background.

    How to make this easy lasagna recipe

    1. In a large pot cook the pasta al dente according to package directions for the lowest time specified.
    2. Brown the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat using a wooden spoon to break it up the meat as it browns, drain if not using extra lean ground beef. 
    3. When the pasta is about half way done, preheat the oven to 350°.
    4. In a large bowl mix the cottage cheese, part of the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and egg until combined.
    5. Mix the cooked pasta, ground beef, cheese mixture, and 1 cup of the pasta sauce together in a large vessel. (I use the pot I cook the pasta in so I don’t have to dirty another dish.)
    6. Spray a 9″ X 13″ baking dish with cooking spray and put just enough of the pasta sauce on the bottom of the dish to cover it.
    7. Add the pasta mixture and even it out with a spoon or spatula. Spoon the remaining pasta sauce evenly over it. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until hot.
    8. Uncover and top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and return to the oven until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
    A collage of 6 images showing the steps to make the Quick and Easy Homemade Lasagna Casserole Recipe.

    Variations

    • Any short cut pasta will work. Malfada corta pasta more closely resembles lasagna noodles but none of the grocery stores I shop at have them. You can use just about any short cut pasta like medium shells, penne, or bowtie pasta. I don’t recommend rigatoni noodles or ziti because they are larger than rotini or orzo or small shells or macaroni because it will be mushy.  
    • You can use bulk Italian sausage instead ground beef, or you can use half of each. Or even ground chicken or ground turkey. 
    • This recipe can be completely transformed into a dish that has a whole different taste by using chunks of chicken and Alfredo sauce. 
    • Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the grated mozzarella cheese that comes in a can (it is found on the aisle of the grocery store with the spaghetti sauce).
    A collage of 3 images showing the casserole dish with the sauce in the bottom, the ingredients on top of the sauce and the remaining sauce on top.

    Storage & Reheating

    Store leftover lasagna noodle casserole in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave. 

    Make ahead options

    It is important to use a dish that can go from the refrigerator to the oven, and you should still let it come to room temperature for a good 30 minutes or so, if you are not going to bake it right after it is assembled. 

    To refrigerate and make the within next day or two – assemble, cover and refrigerate the unbaked casserole. Continue with the recipe except increase the cook time by 10 or 15 minutes. 

    To freeze and make within a couple of months – assemble and go ahead and add the last cup of mozzarella on top. Cover tightly and freeze. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator at least overnight, or even a day or two. Bake as directed increasing the cook time so that the casserole is hot and bubbly. 

    One serving of Quick and Easy Homemade Lasagna Casserole on a white plate.

    Try these delicious pasta dishes next!

    • Classico Lasagna
    • Skinny Baked Chicken Spaghetti
    • Chicken Parmesan Casserole
    • Mixed Up Lasagna
    • Baked Ravioli Lasagna Casserole
    • Garlic Butter Pasta and Sautéed Spinach
    • Old Fashioned Hamburger Casserole
    • Chicken Parmesan with Jar Sauce
    • Beef Stuffed Pasta Shells
    • Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake
    The entire baked Quick and Easy Homemade Lasagna Casserole with the recipe title at the top.
    One serving of lazy lasagna on a white plate.

    Easy Homemade Lasagna Casserole

    Mindy Boyd
    Quick and easy homemade lasagna casserole recipe – savor the cheesy goodness in no time. A delicious twist on a classic favorite for effortless comfort.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print – Email Required Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 35 minutes mins
    Resting Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound rotini
    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1/2 cup onion chopped
    • 2 tsps garlic minced
    • 2 cups cottage cheese
    • 2 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese divided
    • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 egg
    • 1 jar pasta sauce 24 ounces
    Get Recipe Ingredients

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    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions for the lowest time specified.
    • Brown ground beef, onion and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat, drain if not using extra lean ground beef.
    • When the pasta is about half way done, preheat the oven to 350°.
    • In a large bowl mix the cottage cheese, 1 1/2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and egg until combined.
    • Mix the pasta, ground beef, cheese mixture, and 1 cup of the pasta sauce together in a large vessel. (I use the pot I cooked the pasta in so I don't have to dirty another dish.)
    • Spray a 9" X 13" baking dish with cooking spray and put just enough of the pasta sauce on the bottom of the dish to cover. Add the pasta mixture and even it out with a spoon or spatula. Spoon the remaining pasta sauce evenly over the pasta mixture. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until hot.
    • Uncover and top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and return to the oven until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    Nutrition facts are approximate.
    See make ahead options, tips, notes, and suggestions in the post above. 

    Bookmark this page to find it quickly when you are ready to make this recipe!

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 820mg | Potassium: 435mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 495IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 215mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was with a comment below.

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    Half of the casserole on the top and one serving on a plate on the bottom and the recipe title in the middle.
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    Every recipe on this blog is tested in my own kitchen and written by me, Mindy. I occasionally use AI tools to help with things like editing or brainstorming, but the cooking, photography, and storytelling are all mine.

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