Easy Lasagna is the kind of classic family dinner that brings everyone to the table. With lean ground beef, spaghetti sauce, cottage cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, parsley, and lasagna noodles, this baked pasta dish is hearty, cheesy, saucy, and deeply comforting.
What makes this recipe special? It saves time while still delivering the rich flavor and layered texture of homemade lasagna. The sauce is simple, the cheese mixture is creamy, and the noodles bake right in the dish with a little water around the edges.
This is a perfect recipe for family dinners, Sunday meals, potlucks, make-ahead lunches, or anytime you want a reliable baked pasta dish that satisfies everyone.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Lasagna
Why are lasagna recipes always worth keeping in your dinner rotation? Because they are hearty, comforting, and perfect for feeding a crowd.
This Easy Lasagna has all the classic layers you want: savory ground beef sauce, tender noodles, creamy cottage cheese filling, melted mozzarella, and salty Parmesan. It feels homemade without making the process too complicated.
I love how practical this recipe is. It uses pantry-friendly ingredients and makes a full 9×13-inch pan, which means plenty for dinner and leftovers.
The secret tip? Pouring water along the edges of the dish helps the uncooked noodles soften as the lasagna bakes. That little step saves time and makes assembly easier.
Easy Lasagna Time and Servings
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour 10 minutes
Additional Time
10 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Servings
12
Yield
1 9×13-inch lasagna
What Ingredients Are in Easy Lasagna?
This lasagna uses simple, classic ingredients to create a hearty baked pasta dish with rich sauce and creamy cheese layers.
You’ll need:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 32-ounce jar spaghetti sauce
32 ounces cottage cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 eggs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons dried parsley
Salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
9 lasagna noodles
½ cup water
Ingredient Notes
Lean ground beef gives the sauce hearty flavor without too much grease.
Spaghetti sauce keeps the recipe quick and simple while adding tomato flavor and seasoning.
Cottage cheese creates a creamy filling and makes the lasagna rich without needing a complicated cheese mixture.
Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully and gives the lasagna its classic cheesy top.
Eggs help bind the cheese mixture so the layers hold together when sliced.
Parmesan cheese adds salty, nutty flavor.
Dried parsley gives the cheese layer a little color and herb flavor.
Salt and black pepper help season the cheese mixture.
Lasagna noodles create the structure of the dish.
Water helps the uncooked noodles soften during baking.
How to Make Easy Lasagna
This lasagna is simple to assemble, and the oven does most of the work.
Preheat the Oven
Gather all of the ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, or 175 degrees C.
Cook the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook and stir the ground beef until browned and crumbly, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Drain and discard the grease.
Add the Sauce
Stir the spaghetti sauce into the cooked ground beef.
Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
This helps the beef and sauce blend together before layering.
Make the Cheese Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, eggs, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper.
Mix until everything is well combined.
Start the First Layer
Spread ¾ cup of sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cover with 3 uncooked lasagna noodles.
Add the Cheese Layer
Spread 1 ¾ cups of the cheese mixture over the noodles.
Spoon ¼ cup of sauce over the cheese mixture.
Repeat the Layers
Repeat the noodle, cheese, and sauce layers once more.
This builds the rich, classic lasagna structure.
Add the Final Layer
Top with the remaining 3 noodles.
Spread the remaining sauce over the top.
Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Add the Water
Pour ½ cup water along the edges of the baking dish.
This helps the noodles cook properly while the lasagna bakes.
Cover and Bake
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
Uncover and Finish Baking
Remove the foil.
Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the lasagna is hot and bubbly.
Let It Rest
Let the lasagna stand for 10 minutes before serving.
This helps the layers set so the slices hold together better.
Serve and Enjoy
Slice the lasagna and serve warm.
Enjoy it with garlic bread, salad, or your favorite Italian-style sides.
Why Let Lasagna Rest Before Serving?
Letting lasagna rest is one of the easiest ways to get cleaner slices.
Right out of the oven, the sauce and cheese are very hot and loose. A 10-minute rest gives the layers time to settle, making the lasagna easier to cut and serve.
It also helps keep the cheese from sliding out of each slice.
Can You Make Easy Lasagna Ahead of Time?
Yes, this lasagna is great for making ahead.
You can assemble it earlier in the day or the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Since it will be cold from the refrigerator, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
This makes it a great recipe for holidays, potlucks, busy weeknights, or meal prep.
Can You Use Cottage Cheese Instead of Ricotta?
Yes, cottage cheese works very well in lasagna.
It gives the filling a creamy texture and mild flavor. It is also easy to find and often more budget-friendly than ricotta.
If you prefer a smoother cheese layer, you can blend the cottage cheese before mixing it with the eggs, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper.
How to Store Easy Lasagna
Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
It will keep well for 3 to 4 days.
Let the lasagna cool before storing so extra steam does not make the layers watery.
Can You Freeze Easy Lasagna?
Yes, lasagna freezes beautifully.
You can freeze the whole baked lasagna or individual slices. Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly and store in freezer-safe containers or bags.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for the best texture.
How to Reheat Easy Lasagna
Reheat individual slices in the microwave until hot.
For a larger portion, cover with foil and reheat in a 350 degree F oven until warmed through.
If the lasagna seems dry, add a spoonful of sauce before reheating.
What to Serve With Easy Lasagna
Easy Lasagna is hearty enough to be the main dish, but simple sides make it feel like a complete meal.
Serve it with garlic bread, breadsticks, Caesar salad, green salad, roasted broccoli, sautéed zucchini, steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or tomato cucumber salad.
For a cozy dinner, add extra Parmesan and a warm slice of garlic toast on the side.
Easy Lasagna Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about lasagna is how easy it is to customize.
Use Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta can replace cottage cheese for a more traditional filling.
Add Italian Sausage
Use half ground beef and half Italian sausage for a richer flavor.
Add Vegetables
Spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers can be added to the sauce or cheese layer.
Make It Extra Cheesy
Add more mozzarella between the layers or on top.
Add Garlic
Stir minced garlic or garlic powder into the meat sauce for extra flavor.
Use Meatless Sauce
Skip the ground beef and use marinara sauce for a vegetarian version.
Add Fresh Basil
Fresh basil adds bright flavor after baking.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving
Calories: 377
Fat: 17g
Carbs: 26g
Protein: 29g
Final Thoughts
Easy Lasagna is hearty, cheesy, saucy, and perfect for feeding a family. With lean ground beef, spaghetti sauce, cottage cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, parsley, and lasagna noodles, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a comforting 9×13-inch baked dinner.
Make it for a weeknight meal, prep it ahead for a busy day, or freeze leftovers for later. This is the kind of easy lasagna recipe that saves time and still satisfies everyone at the table.
