Comfort food at its best! This Quick Homemade Lasagna is loaded with cheesy goodness. Great for those cold winter nights or any gathering.
Today we are bringing you a Quick Homemade Lasagna that is great for those cold nights, big holiday gatherings or any time you’re craving some great Italian food. This mouthwatering masterpiece is quick and easy to make and will soon become one of your favorite comfort food dishes that the whole family will enjoy. We’ll dive into selecting the finest ingredients and show you how to assemble and bake this classic Italian dish. So gather your ingredients, you’re in for a treat!
Reasons to love this Quick Homemade Lasagna
- Quick and easy to make!
- Cheesy and delicious!
- No meat!
- Comfort food at its best!
- Great for large crowds!
- True crowd pleaser!
What ingredients are in Quick Homemade Lasagna?
Noodles and Sauce
To begin, let’s focus on the foundation of any good lasagna – the noodles and sauce. For this lasagna we opted to used Oven Ready Lasagna noodles, no need to boil the pasta! These oven ready noodles will save you time and you won’t even know the difference! If you choose to use the original noodles then opt for high-quality lasagna noodles and cook them to perfection, ensuring that they maintain a satisfying al dente texture.
For the sauce, choose a robust tomato sauce or your personal favorite. There are several good jar sauces. Explore the different varieties and see what you like best. Try our Simple Homemade Tomato Sauce recipe that goes great with this lasagna.
Cheese Filling
Since there is no meat, the heart of our lasagna lies in the decadent cheese filling. We recommend a blend of mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan for an unparalleled taste experience. Select quality cheeses to create a creamy, well seasoned filling. The addition of fresh parsley, eggs, salt and pepper will help elevate your lasagna to new heights.
Quick Homemade Lasagna-Ingredients
- 48 oz tomato sauce
- 32 oz ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp parsley (finely chopped, save 1 tbsp to sprinkle on top)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 1/2 cups mozzarella (cheese grated, reserve 1 cup for the top)
- 1 package lasagna noodles (oven ready or regular)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, parmesan cheese, parsley, and 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese. Add a pinch of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper if desired.
- Liberally spread sauce onto the bottom of the pan until fully coated, about 1 cup.
- Place 3-4 lasagna noodles (depending on the size of the noodle) onto the sauce, slightly overlapping.
- Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture onto the noodles.
- Top off with about 1 cup of tomato sauce.
- Repeat two more times: Noodles, cheese mixture, sauce.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of the last sauce layer.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Cut into large squares and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
How to Bake this Quick Homemade Lasagna to Perfection
With the layers in place, it’s time to bake our creation to perfection. Preheat the oven, choose the right baking dish, and follow our baking instructions. Cover the lasagna with foil for the initial phase, allowing the flavors to meld, and then uncover it for the final golden touch.
Can I make lasagna ahead of time?
Yes! Simply assemble the lasagna a day ahead of time and place in the refrigerator. Add an additional 15-20 minutes of covered cook time, or take the lasagna out of the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes be before baking. Follow regular cook times.
Can I freeze lasagna?
Yes! Choose from the following two options:
- How to freeze uncooked lasagna: The beauty of lasagna is that it can be frozen before it’s cooked. Simply assemble per the instructions. Cover tightly with heavy duty aluminum foil and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw out the lasagna in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before baking. You may need to place the lasagna on the counter for 1-2 hours before placing it in the refrigerator to help start off the thawing process. Bake according to instructions and add an extra 15-20 minutes of covered cooking time to make sure that the lasagna is warmed through.
- How to freeze cooked lasagna: You can also freeze cooked lasagna or any leftovers you may have. Before freezing, make sure the lasagna is fully cooled. If freezing the whole lasagna, cover tightly with heavy duty aluminum foil and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Follow the same thawing and baking instructions as outlined. You can also slice the lasagna into individual servings and wrap separately, again with heavy duty aluminum foil. In addition, you can place these individual wrapped pieces into a freezer bag so you can grab the amount you want to use. Freeze for up to 3 months. Once removed from the freezer, thaw in the refrigerator., place in a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until heated through.
Tips for baking previously frozen lasagna
- Make sure the lasagna is fully thawed before baking for quicker cook times.
- Add fresh sauce to the previously thawed lasagna before baking to ensure that your lasagna is fresh, and not dried out.
- Sprinkle on more parmesan and mozzarella cheese before baking for extra cheesy goodness.
Why do I need to cover the lasagna with foil before baking?
Covering the lasagna with foil helps to keep the lasagna from becoming dry and hard. In addition, in order to keep the cheese from sticking to the foil, gently spray the foil with baking spray.
Why do I need to let the lasagna rest before cutting and serving?
Letting the lasagna rest for 15-20 minutes before cutting helps the layers to adhere to one another. If you are not patient and cut it too soon, you’ll end up with a sloppy, deflated mess! However, it will still taste good!
Make this Quick Homemade Lasagna for your next dinner!
You’re now equipped with all the necessary information to craft this Quick Homemade Lasagna for your next dinner. Not only will you be empowered to continue on making additional Italian recipes, this lasagna promises to satisfy your taste buds and impress your guests. We encourage you to try this recipe, embrace the process, and share your experiences with us. Stay tuned for more culinary adventures, as we continue to unravel the secrets of creating delectable Italian dishes that elevate your home-cooking game. Happy cooking! And remember…
Life’s too short to eat bad food!
Love Italian cooking? Try these recipes too!
Cheesy Stuffed Shells Casserole
Healthy Pasta and Sausage Casserole
Quick Homemade Lasagna
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 48 oz tomato sauce
- 32 oz ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp parsley finely chopped, save 1 tbsp to sprinkle on top
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese grated, reserve 1 cup for the top
- 1 package lasagna noodles oven ready or regular
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, parmesan cheese, parsley, and mozzarella cheese. Add a pinch of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper if desired.
- Liberally spread sauce onto the bottom of the pan until fully coated, about 1 cup.
- Place 3-4 lasagna noodles (depending on the size of the noodle) onto the sauce, slightly overlapping.
- Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture onto the noodles.
- Top off with about 1 cup of tomato sauce.
- Repeat two more times: Noodles, cheese mixture, sauce.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of the last sauce layer.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Cut into large squares and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
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