Lazy Lasagna
Lazy Lasagna is the kind of dinner you make when you’re craving all the cheesy, saucy goodness of a traditional lasagna but don’t have the time (or patience) for all the layering and baking. This version gives you all the flavors you love—tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheese—without the extra work. It’s fast, satisfying, and perfect for busy nights when you just need a comforting meal on the table now.
Instead of fussing with noodles and waiting forever for a casserole to bake, this shortcut lasagna comes together in one pan and a mixing bowl. Cook your pasta, whip up a quick meat sauce, stir together a cheesy layer, and boom—dinner is served. No oven required!
If you love lasagna but don’t love the effort, this recipe is for you. It’s simple, delicious, and hits the spot every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the lasagna flavor, none of the hassle: No layering, no baking, just quick and easy assembly.
- Ready in 30 minutes: Perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner fast.
- Minimal ingredients, maximum taste: A handful of simple pantry staples come together for a rich, satisfying dish.
- Kid-friendly & family-approved: Even picky eaters love this cheesy, saucy comfort food.
- No oven needed: Just a stovetop and a microwave, making it perfect for hot days or when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
- Great for leftovers: Tastes just as good (if not better!) the next day.
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
- Rotini pasta (or your favorite pasta): The base of this dish, holding all that delicious sauce and cheese.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Used to sauté the onions and add a little richness to the dish.
- Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the meat sauce.
- Lean ground beef: The hearty, protein-packed star of the meat sauce.
- Pasta sauce: Brings all the flavors together with a rich, tomato-based taste. You could also use leftover homemade spaghetti sauce.
- Cottage cheese: The creamy layer that gives this lazy lasagna its signature texture.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty bite to the cheesy layer.
- Garlic: Infuses the dish with an extra punch of flavor.
- Pepper: A simple seasoning that enhances all the other ingredients.
How to Make Lazy Lasagna
- Set One: Cook pasta according to package directions. Set aside.
- Set Two: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, until softened. Add ground beef and cook, stirring frequently, until browned. Add pasta sauce and cook until the mixture is heated throughout. Set aside.
- Step Three: In a large bowl, mix cottage cheese, Parmesan, garlic, and pepper—microwave for about 2 minutes to heat up.
- Step Four: To assemble, place pasta on the bottom of a shallow bowl or pot. Top with meat sauce mixture. Layer the cottage cheese mixture on top. Serve hot.
What to Serve with It
- Garlic Bread: Because no pasta dish is complete without a buttery, garlicky slice to soak up all that sauce.
- Simple Green Salad: A crisp side salad with a light vinaigrette balances out the richness of the lasagna.
- Caesar Salad: Creamy, tangy, and packed with crunch, it’s a classic pairing with pasta.
- Roasted Mushrooms: Their deep, savory flavor complements the cheesy, meaty goodness of this dish.
Variations and Substitutions
- Switch up the protein: For a different flavor, swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage.
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the meat and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or lentils for a hearty, meatless version.
- Use ricotta instead of cottage cheese: If you prefer a classic lasagna texture, ricotta is a great alternative.
- Try a different pasta: Rotini works great, but penne, rigatoni, or even bowtie pasta will do the trick.
- Boost the veggies: Stir in bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to add extra nutrients and flavor.
- Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes or use a spicy arrabbiata sauce for a little heat.
- Go extra cheesy: Mix in shredded mozzarella for an even gooier, cheesier bite.
- Make it low-carb: Swap pasta for cooked spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles for a lighter version.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop with a splash of water or extra sauce to keep it from drying out.
- Freezing: This dish freezes well! Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating from frozen: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm it on the stovetop or microwave. If it seems dry, add a little extra pasta sauce while reheating.
- Meal prep tip: Make a double batch and freeze individual portions for quick and easy lunches or dinners!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Cook pasta al dente: Since it will absorb some sauce, keeping it slightly firm helps prevent it from getting too soft.
- Drain excess grease: If using ground beef with a higher fat content, drain the grease before adding the sauce to avoid a greasy dish.
- Warm the cheese mixture: Microwaving the cottage cheese and Parmesan helps them blend smoothly with the warm pasta and sauce.
- Use a flavorful pasta sauce: A high-quality or homemade sauce makes a big difference in taste—go for one with garlic, basil, or extra herbs for a richer flavor.
- Mix everything together (if you prefer): Instead of layering, stir everything together for an evenly coated, extra saucy pasta dish.
- Make it ahead: You can prep the meat sauce and cheese mixture in advance and store them in the fridge, so all you have to do is cook the pasta and assemble it when you’re ready to eat.
- Double the batch for leftovers: This dish tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prepping or freezing for later.
Pasta Recipes
You’ll also like Lasagna Tater Tot Casserole, Lasagna Stuffed Chicken, or Slow Cooker Lasagna.
Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.
Lasagna Bowl
Lazy Lasagna is a quick and easy way to enjoy all the flavors of classic lasagna without the hassle! Made with pasta, a rich meat sauce, and a creamy cheese layer, this no-bake recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in 30 minutes!
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox.
Ingredients
- 3 cups rotini pasta or your favourite pasta
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 jar pasta sauce
- 1 ½ cups cottage cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add in onions and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, until softened. Add in ground beef and cook, stirring frequently, until browned. Add in pasta sauce and cook until mixture is heated throughout. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together cottage cheese, Parmesan, garlic and pepper. Microwave for about 2 minutes to heat up.
- To assemble, place pasta on the bottom of a shallow bowl or pot. Top with meat sauce mixture. Layer the cottage cheese mixture on top. Serve hot.
Shop the recommended products
Plus browse all of my favorite products I use to create easy everyday recipes!
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 432kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 512mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Did you make this recipe?
I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.
Want Even More Recipes?
Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.
free ebook!
The Best of Simply Stacie
When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!
did anyone else’s cottage cheese completely melt down? at that point it was thoroughly unappetizing
What jar of sauce did you use?
My hubby loved this
Putting this on my ist to make it looks sdelicious
Just curious, could ricotta substitute the cottage cheese? My children will not eat cottage cheese no matter what I do…
I think that would work too – try it and let me know how it tastes!
looks great love Lasagna have try Thank you
Pasta and all its fixings are my comfort food, this looks good
This looks so good. I might have to make this this week.
Hhmmm this looks so yummy..cant wait to try it!
Oohh this looks so rich and yummy..have to try this!!
Great taste and half the work
What a great idea! I, too, find the layers to be too tedious at times… I will be trying this idea with my own favorite recipe (from the Barilla flat lasagna noodles box) sometime soon!
Never thought about using cottage cheese…. Thanks for the recipe
Mmmm looks simple yet super delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I love this because its a great shortcut while still enjoying the lasagna flavor.
sibabe64 at ptd dot net