Name: Easiest Ever No Boil Lasagna
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 lb Italian sausage; 24 oz jar of spaghetti sauce; 1/2 cup water (if sauce is thick); 15 oz ricotta cheese or cottage cheese; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 egg; 1 tsp Italian herbs; Salt and pepper to taste; 9 dry lasagna noodles (no boiling necessary)

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If there’s one dish that screams “comfort food” while still being wildly impressive, it’s lasagna. But let’s be real for a second—traditional lasagna can feel like a project. Boil the noodles, layer everything carefully, and pray it doesn’t turn into a sloppy mess. That’s where this recipe for theEasiest Ever No Boil Lasagna comes in and saves dinner. It’s foolproof, family-approved, and packed with flavor—without all the hassle.

This is not your nonna’s lasagna, but honestly? She might approve anyway.

With no boiling, one pan, and just 20 minutes of prep, this recipe is built for real life. Whether you’re a tired student, a working parent, or someone who just doesn’t want to spend two hours fussing over a meal—you’ve found your new favorite.

Now let’s dig into the easiest ever no boil lasagna—and yes, it tastes just as good as it sounds.

Top-down view of a cheesy homemade lasagna slice being lifted from a casserole dish, loaded with meat sauce and melted mozzarella.

Why Readers Swear by This Lazy Day Lasagna Recipe
Ricotta vs. Cottage Cheese: Which One Belongs in Lasagna?
Ingredients for the Easiest Ever No Boil Lasagna
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Lasagna Without Boiling Noodles
Pro Tip: Sauce Thickness Matters
What to Serve With No Boil Lasagna
How to Reheat and Freeze This No Boil Lasagna
Recipe Variations and Fun Twists
Final thoughts

Why Readers Swear by This Lazy Day Lasagna Recipe

Here’s what real home cooks are saying about this easy weeknight dinner:

“I made this on a Tuesday night after a long shift and couldn’t believe how easy it was—and my kids devoured it.” —Jenna, working mom of 3

“As a college student with limited kitchen gear, this no boil lasagna was a total game-changer.” —Luis, student & pasta enthusiast

You don’t need to be a chef. You just need a baking dish, a few ingredients, and an appetite. Trust me—you’ve got this.

Ricotta vs. Cottage Cheese: Which One Belongs in Lasagna?

Let’s talk cheese—because it makes or breaks the lasagna experience.

Ricotta cheese is the traditional go-to. It’s creamy, slightly sweet, and creates that fluffy texture between the layers.

But cottage cheese lasagna has its fans too. It’s tangier, higher in protein, and often a bit lighter.

Want the best of both worlds? Mix half ricotta, half cottage. It’s budget-friendly and adds a little extra texture and bite.

No matter which one you pick, this recipe also calls for mozzarella and Parmesan to hit that cheesy trifecta. That’s what gives you the gooey, bubbly top everyone fights over.

Ingredients for the Easiest Ever No Boil Lasagna

Here’s what you’ll need for your quick lasagna fix:

Meats:

1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot, your choice)

This combo adds depth and classic Italian flavor to your meat sauce lasagna. Feel free to go full beef if you prefer a simpler base—or swap in plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version.

Sauce:

1 jar (24 oz) spaghetti sauce
Use your favorite store-bought brand. This is lasagna with store bought sauce, and that’s totally okay. Look for something robust with herbs and garlic. If it’s extra thick, just add 1/2 cup water (trust me on this).

Cheese:

15 oz ricotta OR cottage cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 egg
1 tsp dried Italian herbs
Salt & pepper to taste

Noodles:

9 regular lasagna noodles (dry—not oven-ready)

Here’s the twist: You don’t need to boil these. The sauce and steam will soften them while baking. This truly is the easiest ever no boil lasagna trick.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Lasagna Without Boiling Noodles

This method is fast, reliable, and completely beginner-friendly. You’ll only dirty one pan, and you won’t even touch a pot of boiling water. Yes, really.

1. Preheat and Prep

Set your oven to 350°F.
Spray a 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray or lightly coat with oil.

2. Cook the Meat Sauce

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat.
Drain excess fat, then stir in the spaghetti sauce (and water if it’s thick).
Add a pinch of garlic powder or fresh garlic if you’re feeling fancy.

This forms the rich, meaty base of your dump-and-bake lasagna.

3. Mix the Cheese Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine:

Ricotta or cottage cheese
Mozzarella
Parmesan
Egg
Italian herbs
Salt & pepper

This is your creamy, cheesy layer of love.

4. Layer It Up

This is the part where you feel like an artist.

Start with a ladle of meat sauce at the bottom.
Add a layer of dry noodles (3 across).
Spread cheese mixture over noodles.
Repeat: sauce, noodles, cheese.
Top it all off with a final layer of noodles, the rest of the meat sauce, and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan.

Check out these lasagna layering tips if you’re nervous. But honestly? It’s hard to mess up.

5. Bake It

Cover the dish with foil (spray the underside so it doesn’t stick to the cheese).
Bake for 50 minutes.
Remove foil, bake another 10 minutes for that golden, bubbling finish.

6. Rest and Slice

This is the hardest part—waiting.

Let it sit for 10 minutes before slicing so it holds together. Pour yourself a glass of wine while you wait.

Pro Tip: Sauce Thickness Matters

If your sauce is thick like tomato paste, add 1/2 cup water or broth before layering. The extra moisture is crucial to soften those no boil lasagna noodles.

Also, don’t overbake—covering for most of the cook time keeps everything moist and melty.

What to Serve With No Boil Lasagna

Let’s round out dinner like an Italian feast.

Garlic bread (obviously). Here’s our go-to: Classic Italian Bread to Pair with Lasagna.
A big leafy Caesar or caprese salad.
Roasted green beans, asparagus, or herbed potatoes.
Bonus points: a glass of Chianti or sparkling water with lemon.

Make it a moment. You deserve it.

How to Reheat and Freeze This No Boil Lasagna

One of the best parts about this freezer-friendly pasta bake is how beautifully it keeps. Batch cook now, thank yourself later.

Reheating:

Microwave: Place a slice on a plate, cover with a damp paper towel, microwave 2–3 mins.
Oven: Cover dish with foil and reheat at 350°F for 25–30 mins.

Freezing:

Before baking: Assemble, wrap tightly with foil and plastic wrap. Freeze up to 3 months.
After baking: Let cool completely. Wrap and freeze.
To bake from frozen: Bake covered at 375°F for about 75 minutes, then uncover for 10 mins.

That’s your make-ahead lasagna meal prep magic right there.

Recipe Variations and Fun Twists

You know the base now—so let’s shake things up.

Vegetarian No Boil Lasagna

Skip the meat, add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, zucchini.
Still rich, still cheesy, still amazing.

Gluten-Free No Boil Option

Use gluten-free oven-ready noodles (they exist!).
Check your sauce for hidden gluten, and you’re good.

Other Lasagna-Inspired Dinners

Love the idea but want something even quicker? Try these:

Pinterest-style collage of easy no-boil lasagna showing a plated slice and a cheesy slice being lifted from the baking dish.

Collage of cheesy no-boil lasagna showing a plated slice, a bubbling baked dish, and a slice being lifted with gooey melted cheese.

Final thoughts

So there you have it—the easiest ever no boil lasagna recipe that’s rich, comforting, and ridiculously simple to throw together. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, stocking your freezer, or just trying to survive a Monday night with something homemade, this lasagna’s got your back.

It’s all the goodness of traditional lasagna with none of the stress. Go ahead and give it a try—then tell your friends you made lasagna on a weeknight, because you’re that kind of person now.

Hungry for more? Check out our Homemade Lasagna Recipe if you ever feel like boiling noodles again. No pressure, though.

Easiest Ever No Boil Lasagna

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