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When you need to cook for a pot luck, bring a meal to a friend, or just want to bring a huge smile to your family’s faces, do you have a g0-to dish? I do! For me, it’s this super meaty and cheesy lasagna. Is there anything more comforting than pasta, cheese and meat?
I remember in college, there was a fast food Italian restaurant just across the street from my dorm room and every single time I went, I ordered the lasagna, usually because it wasn’t something I ate on a regular basis at home. When I moved into my first apartment, I tried to figure out how to make it myself and was totally freaked out by the idea of boiling lasagna noodles and then placing them carefully without breaking them. Like me, so many are just not interested in all of the work involved (though the end result is always worth the time and hard work, I’m sure).
I’m not sure I actually made lasagna until I discovered Barilla oven ready (no boil) lasagna noodles years ago. GAME CHANGER! They also have a gluten-free option! It’s so much easier and actually has a recipe right on the back of the box (which is where I got the inspiration for this recipe). Over the years, I’ve tweaked that recipe a bit until we finally had what we considered to be the perfect lasagna recipe. Every time we make it for friends or for events, we get so many rave reviews, so I figured it’s time I share with you guys as well!
Since this isn’t a really hard recipe, just time intensive, I thought it would be easiest to break everything up into photo steps for you. Of course, I forgot to take a photo of one of the steps… in between 6 and 7 should be where you add the mozzarella cheese, but I do specify that in the recipe below, so hopefully that isn’t too confusing.
Let’s talk about some specifics. I use dried spices when I’m cooking the meat, and fresh basil and oregano for the cheese mixture. I have no real method to my madness, it’s just something I got used to doing. If you want to add the fresh garlic, basil and oregano to the meat as well, you can! Fresh spices make a huge difference and it will only make the flavors that much better!
For the cheese mixture, I use a small scoop and put 12 scoops of the cheese mixture (4 columns and 3 rows – see step 6 in photos). It’s the easiest way I’ve found to do it. When you put the lasagna noodle layer on and press down slightly, it will help to distribute it throughout the dish.
I cook both ground beef and mild Italian sausage together for this lasagna. I try to buy the ground mild Italian sausage, but you can also buy sausage in the casing and squeeze it out as well. Cook both meats in the same pan so that they blend together nicely. You can choose to drain or leave the excess oil from the meat before you add it to the lasagna. When I took these photos, you can probably tell that I didn’t drain it. It’s good either way, it’s just a matter of preference.
For the sauce, I always use marinara sauce. I do have a couple of favorite brands, but usually use Prego Farmers Market Classic Marinara. It’s one of the least expensive options and the flavor is one of the best, in our opinion. I almost always have a little bit left once I’ve put together the lasagna. I save that and heat it up and serve it on the side, as a dipping sauce with some garlic bread.
Now that you know a little about the dish, I’m excited to share the recipe with you. If you do make it, I’d love for you to share a photo and tag us on social media or comment below and let me know what you think. We love feedback from our readers!
Don’t forget to check out our other family friendly recipes.
Super Meaty and Cheesy No Boil Lasagna
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Super Meaty and Cheesy No Boil Lasagna
Description
Two pounds of meat and nine cups of cheese are layered in between no boil lasagna noodles and marinara sauce, making this meal hearty, easy to make and super delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 jars marinara sauce
- 1 box oven-ready lasagna noodles (15 total)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage
- 1/2 tsp each salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, basil
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 6 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon each fresh basil and fresh oregano, chopped finely
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Grease a 13 x 9 inch baking dish and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan and add beef and sausage together. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder and basil. Stir and crumble until fully cooked. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, 1 cup of parmesan cheese, fresh basil and fresh oregano. Stir until combined. (step 1 and 2 in photos)
- On the bottom of your baking dish, spread one cup of marinara sauce so that the entire bottom is covered as best as possible. (step 3 in photos)
- Lay 4 sheets of no boil lasagna noodles on top of the sauce, slightly overlapping. (step 4 in photos)
- Cover lasagna noodles with another cup of sauce. Makes sure noodles are totally covered – especially the corners. (step 5 in photos)
- Using a small scoop, scoop out your cheese mixture and layer on top. (step 6 in photos)
- Sprinkle a few handfuls of mozzarella cheese throughout. (forgot a picture of this step, oops)
- Top with 1/3 of your meat. (step 7 in photos)
- Lay 4 sheets of no boil lasagna noodles on top, slightly overlapping and press down gently. (step 8 in photos)
- Repeat steps 5 through 8 again another two times. The final layer of noodles will only be 3 sheets (step 9 in photos)
- Cover lasagna noodles with another cup of sauce. (step 10 in photos)
- Separate 1 cup of mozzarella and set aside. Place the rest of the mozzarella on top of the lasagna. (step 12 in photos)
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- When it’s done, remove foil and top with the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Bake for 5 minutes and then broil for 3 minutes (uncovered).
- Let rest for 15-20 minutes before serving.
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Dawn
August 28, 2020Lasagna is my favorite!! This looks so tasty!
Sophie
August 7, 2020OMG, this looks just so delicious!!!
Love your recipe with all the photos, so comprehensive and detailed!
★★★★★
Marta Skeledžija
July 30, 2020That looks soooo goooood….Amazing….Need that right now.
rachel
July 29, 2020Okay so don’t judge me…. but I NEVER would have thought to scoop the ricotta mixture on ! BUT OMG thats GENIUS!
Heather
July 29, 2020Ha! I would never judge you. I actually JUST started doing this not long ago. I used to spoon it on and it made such a mess. I was always trying to distribute it evenly and it never worked, until I started using the scoop. It changed my life.
Anne Marie
July 29, 2020I’ve been looking for some quick and easy back to school recipes. This looks delicious!!
Joy
July 29, 2020I love lasagna. Heather -your photos are always so perfect but on this post I am loving the 1-14 photos showing exactly how you made the lasagna. so helpful!!
Sue-Tanya Mchorgh
July 29, 2020I wish i could have this for lunch right now. This looks so good.
★★★★★
Sherry
July 29, 2020I have to make this. I haven’t had homemade lasagna in years. Thank goodness for oven ready lasagna noodles.
Nkem
July 29, 2020This looks absolutely delicious and totally worth the time and effort to make it. Yum!
Erin
July 29, 2020WOW! This lasagna looks AUH-MAZING! I think I know what I want to make for dinner now tonight!! 😉
Toni
July 29, 2020This will be a sure hit at my house!! It looks fantastic!
★★★★★
kumamonjeng
July 29, 2020The pictures made me wanted to make the lagsana immediately. The cheese on top is just so tempting. Thanks for the recipe.
★★★★★
Marie Phillips
July 29, 2020This is exactly how I make my lasagna! And last week while I was out of town, my boys made one! I am so glad they are good cooks!
★★★★★
Harmony, Momma To Go
July 29, 2020I LOVE those no boil noodles -so easy! I am vegetarian, but I’ve recently been into fake meat products (beyond meat, etc) That would be a good swap here. With these lasagnas you can really add anything honestly
★★★★★
Mahnoor
July 29, 2020I love lasagna and this one looks delicious!
Mommie
July 29, 2020This recipe reminded me of my granny, she use to make these for us when we were young and now you have inspired me to try this for my kids !
Meki
July 29, 2020Whoah! This is a must try lasagna recipe! Thank you so much sharing!
Catalina
July 29, 2020My family goes crazy over lasagna. It’s our family favorite dish! Your recipe sounds easy!
★★★★★
Monica Simpson
July 29, 2020I love making my mom’s lasagna but have never tried the no boil noodles. I want to now after reading this post! Seems like they really do turn out just as good as the traditional kind.
Heather
July 29, 2020They are just as delicious with much less work involved!
Chei
July 29, 2020This cheesy lasagna looks so delicious! I am craving right now. Ugh! Im gonna buy ingredients later and make this. Yum!
Kathy
July 28, 2020I love lasagna. This looks amazing too. I’m always up to trying out other lasagna recipes too. I’m going to save this one to try out later.
Kita Bryant
July 28, 2020This lasagna looks so delicious! I would really love to make this for dinner for everyone.
★★★★★
Marina
July 29, 2020My family loves lasagna, but since I’m vegan we don’t eat as often as we used to x
Matt Taylor
July 28, 2020I love lasagna! Especially the no-boil kind. This is awesome, thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Celebrate Woman Today
July 28, 2020Bravo, Heather!
I really like the recipe and your pictures. Would like to come to dinner!
Cinny
July 28, 2020We love lasagna in this household. In fact, we make it quite often so this is perfect.
Sarah Althouse
July 28, 2020Mmmm an dI love how the top is that golden brown and crunchy cheese! sooo good!
Heather
July 28, 2020That is my favorite part too! It’s amazing what a few minutes under the broiler can do!
TARA PITTMAN
July 28, 2020I love that you dont have to boil the noodles. This will be made as my family loves lasagna.