If you are looking for the perfect shortcut meal, try this Lazy Lasagna with ravioli for dinner! It uses fresh ravioli instead of lasagna noodles and ricotta cheese, allowing you to save time. I promise you will not be sacrificing flavor. This easy meal has become a household favorite for us.
I am a huge fan of pasta dishes and this one is made of store-bought ingredients yet tastes homemade. The ravioli and mozzarella add the perfect amount of cheesy flavor that you would find in a traditional lasagna. It’s a rich and tasty dinner that both kids and adults love.
If you like easy dinner recipes, you will love Bacon Cheeseburger Pie and Ham and Hashbrown Casserole.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Lazy Lasagna Recipe
- It only takes 10 minutes to prep: The oven does most of the work in this easy recipe. All you have to do is brown the ground beef and layer the dish. This lazy version delivers all the flavor of regular lasagna but in less time!
- Customizable recipe: It’s easy to swap out the simple ingredients to match your preferences and create different flavors.
- Budget-friendly: Making this ravioli lasagna recipe won’t break the bank.
Ingredients
Below is everything you need to make this easy ravioli lasagna bake. These ingredients are easy to find at any grocery store and are inexpensive, too! I almost always have beef, marinara sauce, and mozzarella in my kitchen.
- Fresh ravioli: Any variety of fresh ravioli works great. I used spinach and ricotta but plain cheese ravioli or any other flavor works great.
- Ground beef: I like to use lean ground beef for this lazy lasagna casserole. It reduces the excess fat that it creates when cooked. You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer.
- Pasta sauce: Any brand and flavor of store-bought sauce will work great in this lazy lasagna casserole recipe. Choose your favorite! I enjoy Classico four cheese so that is what I used. It adds extra cheesy flavor. Feel free to use homemade sauce if you prefer!
- Mozzarella cheese: I use a combination of shredded mozzarella and fresh mozzarella. The shredded cheese is perfect for the layers and I sprinkled some on top as well. To get the extra gooey cheese effect, I tore pieces of fresh mozzarella to finish the casserole.
- Seasonings: I seasoned the beef simply with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. This ensures the entire dish is well-seasoned and flavorful.
- Basil or parsley: For a pop of color and freshness, chop up some fresh basil or parsley to garnish the finished lazy man lasagna!
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Vegetarian Lazy Lasagna: Omit the ground beef or use your favorite meatless alternative to make this recipe vegetarian-friendly.
- Spicy Sausage Lazy Lasagna: Swap the ground beef for ground hot Italian sausage for a kick. You can even add red pepper flakes, too!
- White Chicken Lazy Lasagna: Use shredded cooked chicken instead of ground beef and alfredo sauce instead of tomato sauce. This adds an extra cheesy twist!
- Veggie Lazy Marinara Lasagna: Add veggies such as zucchini, mushrooms, bell pepper, and/or eggplant to cook with the ground beef.
- Extra cheesy: Add a layer or ricotta cheese or blended cottage cheese on top of the sauce for a cheesier texture.
How to Make Lazy Lasagna
This is a baked ravioli lasagna that takes minimal preparation! Be sure to have your 9x13 casserole dish ready and your oven preheated to 350 degrees F. These steps can set you up for a successful result!
Step 1: Brown and season the ground beef. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook it until no longer pink. Drain off the grease and then season it with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Add the sauce. Stir the pasta sauce into the cooked beef in the skillet. Make sure the spaghetti sauce is all well combined.
Step 3: Layer the lasagna. Spoon a little sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Add a layer of fresh ravioli over the sauce.
Step 4: Add the cheese. Spread more meat sauce on top and then sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the sauce layer. Repeat this process with another layer of ravioli and meat sauce.
Step 5: Cover and bake. Finish it with the cheese mixture of shredded mozzarella and the torn pieces of fresh mozzarella. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake the lasagna for about 25 minutes. Then bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
Step 6: Garnish and serve. Remove the lazy lasagna and allow it to sit on the counter for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle freshly chopped basil on top and enjoy!
⭐️ Hint: Allowing the lazy lasagna to rest before serving will prevent it from falling apart and making it difficult to scoop from the pan.
If you love recipes like this pasta dish you may also enjoy One Pot Lasagna Soup.
Storage
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers of this lasagna in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: This ravioli lasagna is easily reheated in the microwave. Cover it with a paper towel to prevent the sauce from splattering.
- Freezing: You may store individual portions Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking it.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this easy homemade lasagna with a flavorful vegetable side dish like tender zucchini and onions or red cabbage steaks.
- A fresh salad like a fresh spinach salad or lentil salad would pair well, too.
- Finish this delicious meal with an easy no-bake dessert like this cherry cream cheese pie.
- Add a serving of your favorite garlic bread or breadsticks!
Recipe Tips
- Try a meat-filled ravioli: Instead of cooking beef, take another shortcut by using a meat-filled ravioli.
- Broil for color: Turn the oven to broil and cook the lasagna for about 5 minutes to brown the cheese on top for more texture and flavor.
- Use a cake pan: Don’t have a casserole dish? Layer this lazy lasagna in a cake pan instead!
Recipe FAQs
Yes you can prepare this recipe for dinner up in advance and then pull it out to cook on a busy night. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. You can also freeze it whole to bake later on. Thaw it out in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, and then cook as directed in the recipe card. Cooking it thawed helps it cook more evenly.
Yes! Brown the beef and layer the lasagna the same way, except in the slow cooker. Cook it on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours.
Sure! It may take a little bit longer to cook through so you will need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
More Delicious Pasta Dishes
Do you like cooking pasta for meals? Here are some recipes you may also like to try!
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Lazy Lasagna
Equipment
- 9 x 13 casserole dish or cake pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh ravioli we used a spinach and ricotta ravioli
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce (your favorite brand, we used Classico four cheese)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese grated
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese torn
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Garnish
- fresh basil or parsley optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- In a large skillet brown ground beef over medium-high heat. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Once the beef is fully cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Pour the jar of pasta sauce into the skillet with the ground beef and stir well to to combine and let simmer for a couple of minutes.
- Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Next, arrange a single layer of fresh ravioli over the sauce.
- Spread another layer of meat sauce over the ravioli.
- Sprinkle a layer of grated mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Add another layer of ravioli, followed by more meat sauce.
- Top with the remaining grated mozzarella cheese and pieces of freshly torn mozzarella.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the ravioli is cooked through
- Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Maxine says
Love this easy recipe. So much easier than lasagna and it really does taste like it. Thanks for another keeper
Karin and Ken says
As always you’re most welcome. I try my best. We make it regularly ourselves! All the best. Karin
Lori B. says
At the suggestion of my granddaughters, I have reduced ground beef to half a pound, 225 grams, in recipes and find it just as delicious and satisfying.
Karin and Ken says
You are so right. All the best. Karin