My Dragonfly Cafe

Creatively Transforming Food

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • My Story
  • Contact
Italian, KId-Friendly, Main Dish, Pasta  /  September 22, 2023

Lazy Lasagna

by Jane

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Recently, I saw a recipe for Baked Spaghetti on the New York Times Cooking site. What fascinated me was that it was like a lasagna, but with less fuss. Somewhere in the reviews, someone called it a Lazy Lasagna. What a perfect name for such an uncomplicated dish! My daughter-in-law is a first grade teacher and was having an extended meeting after school. I thought this would be a welcome addition to their home after such a long day! As a retired teacher myself, I defintely understand trying to transition back home after an exhasuting day with hungry kids on my heels asking me what’s for dinner. My oldest grandson told me it was blog-worthy, so here you go! I hope you get an opportunity to give it a try!

The Sauce:

Saute the onion in the olive oil on MED heat until translucent, about 5-7 minnutes. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Stir until fragrant, about a minute. I love my homemade Italian Seasoning blend! It’s a great way to use my dried herbs from this summer’s harvesting!

Add one pound of your ground meat of choice. Cook until no longer pink. In this version, I used lean ground turkey. Stir in 4 cups of your favorite marinara sauce or make some homemade marinara sauce ahead of time to use in this recipe. Remove skillet from the heat and stir in 1/2 cup of basil chiffonade. (Stack up basil leaves, roll them up like a cigar and cut into thin strips.)

Assembly:

Once you have pasta cooked and ricotta mixture blended smooth, lay ingredients out in order of the layering. Place 1/2 of pasta(eyeball it) on the bottom of the prepared dish. Follow up with 1/2 of the sauce. Spread it out evenly over the pasta.

Dollop 8 spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the sauce. Sprinkle 1 cup of the mozzarella over the ricotta mixture.

Spread the rest of the pasta out evenly and top it with remaining sauce. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Take pan out of the oven and top with the rest of the mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese. Bake for an additional 10 minutes without the foil.

Serving Time!

Oh, yum! Remove pan from the oven and wait about 10 mnutes before serving. Enjoy!

Lazy Lasagna

After viewing a recipe for Baked Spaghetti on the New York Times Cooking page, I adapted it to include what I had on hand, This Lazy Lasagna, as it named in reviews, can be stored covered in the fridge after being prepped until ready to cook.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Casserole, Italian, Lasagna, Main Course
Servings: 8 recipe

Ingredients

Pasta:

  • 1 pound spaghetti or pasta of your choice

Sauce:

  • 2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 c yellow onion, diced
  • 1 T Minced garlic
  • 2 t Italian seasoning
  • Kosher Salt
  • Black peppr
  • 1 pound ground beef, turkey or sausage
  • 4 c Marinara sauce
  • 1/2 c basil chiffonade

Ricotta Mix

  • 1 cup ricotta
  • 1/2 c grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese or parmesan
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 t salt

Other:

  • 2 c mozzarella, divided
  • 1/4 c grated parmigiano-reggiano or parmesan

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350Β°F. Oil/spray 13x9x2 pan.
  • Heat skillet to MED heat with 2 T of extra virgin olive oil. Saute diced onions until translucent, about 6-7 minutes.
  • Add garlic and Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir for about a minute or until fragrant.
  • Add the ground meat of choice and cook until no longer pink,
  • Stir in the marinara sauce until heated through and remove from the heat. Stir in the basil chiffonade.
  • In a small bowl, blend together until smooth the ricotta, parmesan, egg and salt.
  • Cook pasta of choice in salted water for about a minute less than stated for the al dente stage. Drain.
  • Spread half of the pasta in the bottom in the prepared dish.
  • Top with half of the sauce and spread evenly over the pasta.
  • Dollop about 8 spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture, 2 rows of 4 equally spaced.
  • Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the dollops of ricotta.
  • Place remainder of the pasta over the top followed by rest of the sauce. Smooth it over the pasta. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
  • Take the pan out and remove the foil. Sprinkle the remainder of the mozzarella and the 1/4 cup of the parmesan over the top and return to the oven for about 10 more minutes.
  • Allow it to cool 5-10 minutes before serving.

Related

Tags

  • Italian
  • lasagna
  • main dish

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Post navigation

Rockfish Meuniere
Coconut Hot Milk Cake

Related posts

Pasta e Fagioli
Italian, Soup  /  February 14, 2022
by Jane

Pasta e Fagioli

Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
Italian, Pasta, Vegetables  /  January 13, 2016
by Jane

Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken, comfort food, Main Dish  /  December 28, 2016
by Jane

Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 221 other subscribers

Instagram

Instagram has returned invalid data.

My Dragonfly Cafe Blog

My Dragonfly Cafe Blog

Instagram

Follow Me!

Social

  • View My Dragonfly Cafe Blog’s profile on Facebook
  • View mydragonflycafe’s profile on Twitter
  • View mydtagonflycafe’s profile on Instagram
  • View My Dragonfly Cafe Blog’s profile on Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • Quick Weeknight BBQ
  • Pimento Cheese
  • GIANT Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • White Chicken Chili
  • Thai Larb
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

mydragonflycafe

Perfect for this chilly day! If you have a Dutch o Perfect for this chilly day! If you have a Dutch oven, you could prep it tonight and bake it tomorrow! 
 #bread #nokneadbread #dutchoven #comfortfood #delicious 
www.mydragonflycafe.com/crusty-no-knead-bread
Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies were a delightful s Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies were a delightful surprise! Intrigued by a question from my son’s girlfriend, I just had to try!  Link to the recipe in my profile πŸ‘†. 
 #instantpudding #chocolatechipcookies #chocolate #cookies #puddingcookies 
https://www.mydragonflycafe.com/chocolate-chip-pudding-cookies
Mardi Gras Jambalaya Mardi Gras Jambalaya
Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast is perfect for a Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast is perfect for a cold weekend or a Sunday dinner with family! Link to the recipe above in my profile!

www.mydragonflycafe.com/instant-pot-mississippi-pot-roast

#mississippipotroast #familydinner #potroast #instantpotrecipes #delicious #comfortfood
These Amazing 2-Ingredient Biscuits are a quick fi These Amazing 2-Ingredient Biscuits are a quick fix and a great side for soup night ! They are perfect for making a breakfast sandwiches too!
Click link in profile above for recipe!
www.mydragonflycafe.com/amazing-2-ingredient-biscuits
#2ingredientbiscuits #breakfast #soup #breakfastsandwiches #bread #whitelilyflour #daisysourcream
The base of this Herbed Stuffing can have your fav The base of this Herbed Stuffing can have your favorite mix-ins of choice! I believe this one had apples, sage sausage and craisins. 
 Find the link in profile above πŸ‘† 
www.mydragonflycafe.com/herbed-stuffing
#thanksgiving #stuffing
Cranberry Orange Pecan Scones are perfect with a c Cranberry Orange Pecan Scones are perfect with a cup of tea on a chilly day! 
Find link in profile πŸ‘†.
www.mydragonflycafe.com/cranberry-orange-pecan-scones 
#scones #cranberry #orange #pecan #tea
If you don't have time to roll and cut my Incredib If you don't have time to roll and cut my Incredible Sweet Potato Biscuits, just scoop and bake. There is no flavor compromise, I assure you! Instructions are on the post! These can be made smaller for an appetizer version by using a cookie scoop! (Look to the right on the pan.)
www.mydragonflycafe.com/incredible-sweet-potato-biscuits
#whitelilyflour #sweetpotato #biscuits #sweetpotatobiscuits #thanksgiving #comfortfood
Here’s an updated post for my Old-Fashioned Chic Here’s an updated post for my Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie. It’s great with leftover Thanksgiving turkey too! 
www.mydragonflycafe.com/old-fashioned-chicken-pot-pie
#potpie #chickenpotpie #comfortfood
Maple-Pecan Delicata Squash Soup Delightfully swe Maple-Pecan Delicata Squash Soup  Delightfully sweet fall flavors topped with some crumbled goat cheese and pecan chips make for an incredible appetizer before the main course!  www.mydragonflycafe.com/maple-pecan-delicata-squash-soup #soup #delicatasquash
Fall flavors at its best! www.mydragonflycafe.com/ Fall flavors at its best! www.mydragonflycafe.com/apple-crisp With autumn's warmth of flavors swirling in the kitchen air like the leaves falling outside, you will find your comfort here. 
#apples #applecrisp #fall #autumn #dessert #comfortfood
Incredible Sweet Potato Biscuits With autumn's wa Incredible Sweet Potato Biscuits 
With autumn's warmth of flavors swirling in the kitchen air like the leaves falling outside, you will find your comfort here.
www.mydragonflycafe.com/incredible-sweet-potato-biscuits 
#sweetpotato #sweetpotatobiscuits #southern #whitelilyflour #southern #comfortfood
Chow Chow! End of season harvest yields the best r Chow Chow!
End of season harvest yields the best relish! Grab what you need from your garden, a neighbor or a produce market! Put it on a burger, hot dog, deviled eggs, sausage, beans… Serve it with cornbread and greens…..Or, just eat it out of the jar!
www.mydragonflycafe.com/chow-chow
#chowchow #relish #southern #comfortfood #greentomatoes #harvest
Do you need a great recipe for some Wet Cornbread? Do you need a great recipe for some Wet Cornbread? 🌽🍞When you need a β€œfood hug”, this will comfort you! 
www.mydragonflycafe.com/wet-cornbread 
#wetcornbread #maryland #comfortfood #easternshoremd #salisburymd
Here’s a decadent version of pumpkin bread! This Here’s a decadent version of pumpkin bread! This Chocolate Chip Pecan Pumpkin Bread is a delightful treat to share with family, friends or neighbors! Linked below⬇️ #ontheblog #pumpkinbread  #chocolate #pecan  www.mydragonflycafe.com/chocolate-chip-pecan-pumpkin-bread
Strawberry Lemonade Cake is perfect for a family g Strawberry Lemonade Cake is perfect for a family get together to celebrate...just being able to hug someone again!! Fresh strawberries from a local U-pick were used to create this masterpiece! Tap the link in my profile above πŸ‘† for the recipe. 
#strawberries #strawberrylemonade #dessert #spring #buylocal #yum #ontheblog 
www.mydragonflycafe.com/strawberry-lemonade-cake
Fresh Strawberry Lemonade Cake Fresh Strawberry Lemonade Cake
My starter is alive and well! #sourdough #starter My starter is alive and well!
#sourdough #starter #bread
Shrimp Fajitas are an easy prep and full of fresh Shrimp Fajitas are an easy prep and full of fresh flavors ! Recipe includes a homemade fajita seasoning Tap the link in my profile above πŸ‘† for the recipe.
#shrimpfajitas #fajitas #shrimp #texmex #ontheblog #freshflavors #yum 
www.mydragonflycafe.com/shrimp-fajitas
These White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies are AM These White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies are AMAZING!! πŸ˜ƒπŸ˜‹The recipe is simple and the taste is exceptional! Tap the link in my profile above πŸ‘† for the recipe. 
#whitechocolatemacadamia #cookie #nuts #ontheblog #yum 
www.mydragonflycafe.com/white-chocolate-macadamia-nut-cookies
Load More Follow on Instagram

Pages

  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Story
  • Recipe Index

Archives

  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • March 2024
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • June 2023
  • April 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • January 2015
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • Elara Pro by LyraThemes.com
  • Made by LyraThemes.com
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required