Craving a classic lasagna but don't have the time for the layering process that is involved in making traditional lasagna? Instead, try a deconstructed lasagna recipe for an easy, cheesy, and delicious meal!
All you need to make this easy recipe is some ground beef or turkey, spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and a few other pantry staples.
You can even add fresh basil and other ingredients to customize it to your taste. In just a fraction of the time, you will have made a fantastic lasagna that is the ultimate comfort food meal and is sure to be loved by the whole family!
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Why this recipe
Delicous. This recipe is packed full of flavor and is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Easy. This deconstructed lasagna recipe requires minimal effort, so you can have dinner on the table quickly and easily.
Adaptable. You can customize this recipe with your favorite ingredients to make it your own! Plus, you can use ground beef or turkey for a healthier option.
Nutritious. With plenty of protein from ground beef (or turkey), carbohydrates from the pasta, and calcium from all kinds of cheeses, this is a balanced meal that will keep you satisfied.
Ingredients for this lazy lasagna casserole
- Ground beef - you could also use ground turkey
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Kosher salt
- Pasta sauce
- Bowtie pasta - or another type of pasta you like
- Water
- Ricotta cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Egg
- Fresh parsley - roughly chopped (optional)
How to make homemade lasagna pasta
Step 1 - Add beef to a large saute pan, cook on medium-high heat, and chop until browned.
Drain beef and return to the pan.
Step 2 - Add pasta sauce, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
Step 3 add water and pasta.
Step 4 - Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 17-20 minutes, until pasta is just turning al dente.
Step 5 - In a bowl, mix together the creamy ricotta, parmesan, and egg. Add cheese mixture to the pasta mixture, and stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Cook for 5 minutes more to allow the cheese to set.
Top with fresh parsley, if desired.
Tips for best results
- You can use cottage cheese instead of ricotta if you'd like.
- If desired, feel free to add other ingredients like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach.
- Be sure to cook the pasta until just al dente - don't overcook!
- Sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top of the dish for extra flavor and texture!
- Serve with a glass of red wine for the ultimate Italian-inspired meal.
- If you are cutting calories, you can use lean ground beef.
- Add a bit of cream cheese for a creamier pasta.
- Replace the beef with sweet Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top if you want an extra cheesy lasagna dish.
- Use your favorite red sauces to take this pasta dish up a notch.
- Sautee some garlic cloves with the beef mixture for extra flavor.
- You can use a bit of beef broth to deglaze the pan and get all the browned bits in the bottom of the pot to add extra flavor if you like.
- If you want a from scratch recipe, check out my skillet lasagna recipe.
More great pasta recipes
Recipe FAQs
Deconstructed means to break something down to its parts (or ingredients) or to reinterpret it. In this lasagna recipe, we took the parts and made the simpler by omitting the need to boil lasagna noodles and layer it in a casserole. The end result tastes similar with less effort and less time required.
You can add chili flakes or some basil or oregano flakes to bump up the flavor.
Absolutely, you can cook the sausage and drain it before adding to the pot,
Yes, you can make this through step 4 and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or in the freezer. When ready to make, you can start with step 5. Note that if frozen, you will need to defrost pasta first.
📖 Recipe
Deconstructed Lasagna
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
- pot strainer
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 2 tsp. Garlic powder
- 2 tsp. Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 24 oz. pasta sauce
- 12 oz. bowtie pasta
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- Fresh parsley roughly chopped, optiona
Instructions
- Add beef to a large skillet, and cook and chop until browned.
- Drain beef and return to the pan.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pasta sauce, pasta, and water. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 17-20 minutes, until pasta is just turning al dente.
- In a bowl, mix together ricotta, parmesan, and egg.
- Add cheese mixture to pasta mixture, and stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes more, to allow the cheese to set.
- Top with fresh parsley, if desired
Notes
- If desired, feel free to add other ingredients like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach.
- Be sure to cook the pasta until just al dente - don't overcook!
- Sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top of the dish for extra flavor and texture!
Nutrition
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Tamara E Bowman
Love it - I love variations on lasagna. I love lasagna too, but sometimes I want something simpler, like this, or harder, like a lasagna soup!
Raquel
Yes all the flavor is there and it is so easy to make!