Easy Weeknight Lasagna Recipe (Ready in 30 minutes!)

I don’t have a classic lasagna recipe on my site. I have a number of lasagna recipes, but none of them are traditional. That’s a nod to how I’ve always approached cooking. From the very beginning, I was tweaking classic recipes to make them healthier.

This easy lasagna recipe is tweaked to make it not necessarily healthier, but quicker. Quick enough to be a weeknight dinner! This is a homemade lasagna recipe you don’t have to save for when you have a solid hour or more; this one is actually ready, from start to finish, in about 30 minutes. In my book, that alone makes this the best lasagna recipe. It’s a bonus that my whole family loves it and ate the whole pan of lasagna in one dinner! This family favorite just became my new go-to lasagna recipe.

Let’s get right to it–here’s how you make this easy dinner recipe!

Recipe Ingredients–What You Need

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 cup minced onion–Onions are both for flavor and also give this dish vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, and manganese. The antioxidants in onions can help your heart health and lower inflammation.
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced–Garlic is also for flavor, but in addition it is anti-inflammatory, supports healthy blood pressure, circulation, and healthy cholesterol levels.
• 1 pound grass-fed ground beef–Grass fed ground beef is my preference because it’s a lean ground beef with more omega 3 fatty acids and less omega 6 fatty acids.
• 1 (28 ounce) jar marinara sauce–for the ultimate ease, we used jarred marinara sauce. I look for sauces without added sugars and just a few simple ingredients.
• 9 no boil lasagna noodles–No boil noodles (also known as oven-ready noodles) cut down the prep and cook time for this recipe.
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese–we use 3 different types of cheese for this lasagna and parmesan gives us the top layer.
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese–Ricotta is what I usually use in lasagna, but cottage cheese can be subbed here as well.
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese–I use shredded mozzarella for the top of the lasagna, but fresh mozzarella is also nice here.
• Fresh basil (optional)–Fresh basil is an optional garnish. Fresh parsley could also be used. Adding fresh herbs to the top after baking doesn’t take much time but gives a great pop of color and flavor.

Step By Step Cooking Process for this Easy Lasagna Recipe 

This is the best way to make lasagna for a weeknight dinner!

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. In large (10 inch or larger) cast iron skillet or other oven safe pan (such as a Dutch oven), heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Add the ground beef, break apart and cook until browned, another 5 minutes or so. Drain any excess water/fat.
4. Add the marinara sauce and stir.
5. Break apart the lasagna noodles and add them the pan, covering each piece as fully as possible. Add 1/2 cup water and stir to ensure the lasagna noodle pieces nestled within the meaty tomato sauce as much as possible. For best results, press the mixture down into an even layer.
6. Next, we add a cheese layer. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top.
7. Add the ricotta cheese, in dollops, no need to spread it evenly.
8. Finally, cover the entire lasagna with the mozzarella cheese.
9. Transfer the large skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Allow the whole lasagna pan to rest for 10 minutes before serving individual portions.
10. Store any leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, but your family is anything like mine, there won’t be any leftovers!

I think you’re going to love this super easy, delicious lasagna recipe. This is actually my first beef lasagna recipe on Happy Healthy Mama! I have a lot of vegetable-forward lasagna recipes if that’s your jam! Scroll below the recipe card to see more. Everyone loves a good lasagna recipe, right?!

I hope you love this Easy Weeknight Lasagna recipe as much as I do. If you try it, or any of my other healthy recipes, please comment and give a star rating below. It’s really helpful for readers to see which recipes are tried and true! I appreciate you. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook, too.

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Weeknight Lasagna Recipe

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 5 reviews

• Author: Maryea Flaherty
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Easy and delicious, this lasagna recipe turns any weeknight into lasagna night!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 cup minced onion
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound grass-fed ground beef
• 28 ounce jar marinara sauce
• 9 no boil lasagna noodles
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil, for topping (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

2. In large (10 inch or larger) cast iron skillet or other oven safe pan (such as a Dutch oven), heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the ground beef, break apart and cook until browned, another 5 minutes or so. Drain any excess water/fat.

3. Add the marinara sauce and stir. Break apart the lasagna noodles and add them the pan, covering each piece as fully as possible. Add 1/2 cup water and stir to ensure the lasagna noodle pieces nestled within the meaty tomato sauce as much as possible. For best results, press the mixture down into an even layer.

4. Next, we add a cheese layer. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top. Add the ricotta cheese, in dollops, no need to spread it evenly. Finally, cover the entire lasagna with the mozzarella cheese.

5. Transfer the large skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Allow the whole lasagna pan to rest for 10 minutes before serving individual portions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: dinner recipe
• Method: stove and oven
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 8.9 grams
• Fat: 28.2 grams
• Saturated Fat: 12 grams
• Trans Fat: 0 grams
• Carbohydrates: 46.9 grams
• Fiber: 5.3 grams
• Protein: 30.4 grams

More Delicious Lasagna Recipes

Vegetable Lasagna —Loaded with vegetables and layers of cheese, you won’t miss the meat!

30 Minute Skillet Spinach Lasagna –This is another quick and easy recipe, this time loaded with spinach instead of beef.

Butternut Squash and Kale Lasagna — A perfect fall lasagna!

Zucchini Quinoa Lasagna — This one uses zucchini in place of lasagna noodles and is another vegetarian option.

Which kind of lasagna should I make next? I’m taking suggestions!