The Best Easy Lasagna

This easy, no-boil lasagna recipe that uses three kinds of cheese for the most amazing flavor! Use your favorite jarred marinara sauce to keep it quick and simple!

Lasagna was a family favorite growing up. I remember how long it used to take my mom to get the deep, rich, flavors in the marinara sauce with all the Italian herbs and seasonings. Today we’re taking a shortcut with our favorite jarred marinara sauce to make this lasagna a staple in your weekly meal rotation!

When I was growing up, we always had cottage cheese in our lasagna. I wasn’t a huge ricotta fan, but since then my tastes have changed and I love ricotta! You can put either in this recipe!

Why We Love this No-Boil Lasagna

It’s the Ultimate Comfort Food

• Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, with tender pasta, rich sauce, creamy cheese, and savory fillings stacked together into one hearty dish. Every slice feels like a warm hug.

Convenience Without Compromise

• No-boil noodles eliminate an entire step—no big pot of boiling water, no handling slippery pasta sheets. You can layer straight from the box, saving time and effort without sacrificing flavor. Because the noodles cook directly in the sauce, they soak up all those rich tomato, herb, and cheese flavors as they soften. The end result is a more cohesive, deeply flavored dish.

Reliability for Entertaining

• No-boil noodles hold their structure well, making it easier to cut clean, picture-perfect squares for serving at dinner parties, holidays, or weeknight family dinners.

Make Ahead Friendly

You can assemble it in advance and bake later, or freeze portions for busy nights. That flexibility makes it a weeknight hero and a holiday staple. The flavors only get better the next day as the layers meld together, making leftovers something to look forward to.

Do you need special noodles for no-boil lasagna?

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Boiling lasagna noodles is overrated. And you don’t need those fancy “oven-ready” noodles for this lasagna. Just let the regular type noodles soak up liquid from the sauce and cook in the oven while everything is cooking – it’s that easy!

Key Ingredients for this Easy Lasagna

• Protein & Base
• 1 pound ground beef – Provides a hearty, savory foundation. The richness of beef adds depth to the sauce and makes the lasagna filling and satisfying.
• Sauce & Flavor Carrier
• 48 ounces marinara sauce (your favorite brand or homemade) – Supplies moisture to soften the no-boil noodles as they bake. It also delivers bold tomato flavor and acts as the cohesive element binding all the layers.
• Cheeses for Creaminess & Depth
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese) – Creates the creamy, slightly tangy filling. Ricotta is traditional, while cottage cheese is a lighter alternative with extra protein.
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese – Melts beautifully into gooey, stretchy layers that give lasagna its classic texture.
• 1 cup shredded asiago cheese – Adds a sharp, nutty bite that balances the richness of mozzarella.
• 1 cup shredded provolone cheese – Brings a smoky, buttery flavor and enhances the melty cheese blend.
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese – Intensifies the savory, umami flavor. Sprinkled in layers and on top, it helps create a golden crust.
• Binders & Balance
• 2 large eggs – Mixed into the ricotta filling, they act as a binder so the cheese layer sets firm instead of running when cut.
• ¼ teaspoon salt & ¼ teaspoon ground pepper – Season the filling to balance the richness of meat and cheese, ensuring every layer is flavorful.
• Freshness & Brightness
• 4 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley – Cuts through the richness with freshness and color, giving the lasagna a more vibrant taste and presentation.
• Structure
• 12 no-boil lasagna noodles – Save time and effort by eliminating the need to pre-cook pasta. As they bake, they absorb moisture from the sauce and cheese, creating tender, perfectly layered sheets.

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Step by Step Instructions to Make this Lasagna

1. Preheat Oven
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Ground Beef
   In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add Marinara Sauce
   Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked beef. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
4. Mix the Cheese Filling
   In a large bowl, combine ricotta (or cottage cheese), eggs, ½ cup of the Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
5. Assemble the Lasagna
   Layer the ingredients in the prepared baking dish as follows:
   • Bottom Layer: Spread about 1½ cups of meat sauce on the bottom.
   • First Noodle Layer: Place 3 no-boil noodles over the sauce.
   • Cheese Layer: Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
   • Sprinkle: Add a handful each of mozzarella, asiago, and provolone.
   • Sauce Layer: Add 1½ cups of meat sauce over the cheese.
   • Repeat: Repeat the layers two more times.
   • Top Layer: Finish with remaining noodles, meat sauce, and a generous layer of all remaining shredded cheeses. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.
6. Bake
   Cover the dish tightly with foil (to prevent the cheese from sticking, you can spray the underside of the foil with cooking spray). Bake for 45 minutes.
7. Uncover and Finish Baking
   Remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
8. Rest Before Serving
   Let the lasagna rest for 15–20 minutes before slicing. This helps it set up and makes serving easier.

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Optional Garnish

Sprinkle with extra parsley or Parmesan before serving for a fresh finish.

Let me know if you’d like to add spinach, mushrooms, or make this ahead!

Should you cover lasagna when you bake it?

It’s important that you cover the lasagna with aluminum foil so the sauce can get hot enough to soften the pasta. Cover the pan with a single layer of aluminum foil and bake covered for all but 10 minutes of the baking time. Uncover, add the last bit of cheese and finish the last 10 minutes without foil so that the cheese on top can melt. I recommend turning on the broiler for the last few minutes to get some nice browned spots, but keep an eye on the oven so that it doesn’t burn!

How long do you bake lasagna?

Bake in a preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 40 minutes covered. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Allow lasagna to sit for about 10 minutes before you cut into it. This will help you get clean slices.

If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Instant Pot Sausage and Gnocchi Soup!

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