No Boil Lasagna

Last Updated January 15, 2021. Published October 5, 2020 By Lorie Leave a Comment

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No need to boil the noodles--this simple No Boil Lasagna is easy to whip up and is loaded with thin sliced meatballs that makes for a delicious, comforting pasta meal.

For a long time, this lasagna recipe was never going to make it to the site. It was MY recipe--you know, the one that was my special recipe.

But what is a special recipe if it's not passed on to others to share?

My Italian grandfather said it was the best lasagna he ever had. And perhaps he just said that because I was his granddaughter, but he ate it as though he loved it so I am sticking with it's just that good.

You don't need to boil your lasagna noodles.

For real. I have never done it and I never will.

I mainly use the No Boil specific noodles (Barilla's are my favorite), but I am a rebel and have even refused to boil the regular pasta too! Ha.

If you soak the noodles with enough sauce, it will help soften the noodles and cook them while you bake. It's like magic!

But it's not the pasta that is the hero in this recipe...

The real secret is the meat...the meatballs that is!

Growing up, there was a lot of pasta in my family and the lasagna was the best, first due to the slow simmered homemade sauce, and second the homemade meatballs.

Ground meat should never just be tossed onto your lasagna noodles. Thin sliced meatballs is all there needs to be. Once you try it, you will never go back.

If you are up for homemade, you can certainly opt for these Rosemary Parmesan Meatballs or you may also love these Zucchini Beef Meatballs as well. But let's be honest, there is no shame in grabbing them out of the frozen aisle!

This no boil lasagna recipe is about great taste but also convenience! My favorites!

What you will need to make this:

I love cottage cheese in my lasagna even though that may be blasphemy and perhaps my great grandparents are rolling in their graves. But I love the flavor it brings. Want ricotta? Use that instead!
Use grated or shredded parmesan. Whatever you have is great.
I like to make my own meatballs, but when I am making this for convenience, frozen meatballs are my jam!

Lasagna ingredients labeled on counter including cheese, noodles, meatballs and more.

How to make this recipe:

Combine the cheeses, egg, garlic and spices into a medium bowl.
Mix well to combine.
Slice up the meatballs thin, about a quarter inch or slightly thinner.

Then grab everything else and get ready to assemble!

Cottage cheese, mozzarella, egg and meatballs in mixing bowl.

How to assemble:

The layering is quite simple once you get it started. You can opt for meat on every layer, or just the first and final layer. Totally up to you!

Spray the baking pan with oil. Spread marinara across the bottom of the pan to cover. (use about ¾ - 1 cup)
Layer the uncooked lasagna noodles to cover the bottom of the pan. (I use 4 of the Barilla No Boil noodles, but I had couple that I dropped and broke when I made this batch so only 3 went on the bottom!)
Add sauce on top of the noodles.
Spread it evenly to cover the pasta.
Add ⅓ of the cheese mixture on top of the sauce layered pasta.
Spread it evenly to cover.
Layer the sliced meatballs on top of the cheese layer to cover completely.
Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella cheese on top of the meatballs.
Repeat steps 2 through 8 for the next two layers (**You can omit the meat in the middle layer if it's too much for you!)
Add the final top layer of pasta and top it with a cup of marinara and cover to make sure all the edges and pasta is covered.
Cover with foil and bake!

The no boil lasagna noodles will spread out a little bit when baking, so don't worry about them not hitting the edges of the pan.

Don't skimp on the sauce on the edges of the pasta! You could even put more on than pictured here and be fine!

If you are using the oven ready pasta, baking time is about 30 minutes covered and then add remaining mozzarella and bake for another 10 minutes.

Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

No Boil lasagna with cheese and parsley on top in pan.

Notes and Pro-Tips:

I often prep this no boil lasagna a day or several or more hours in advance. This allows the flavors to really meld into the recipe. Plus, that means all I have to do is pop it in the oven an hour before dinner.
As far as the meatballs--it's a lot of meat to add them to every layer. If this seems like too much, feel free to take the meat out of the middle layer. I do it sometimes, but not when we are entertaining, that's for sure!
There is a decent amount of sauce in this recipe. You will need plenty to soften the noodles so you will be surprised by how little ends up between the layers.
I loooove cottage cheese, but opt for ricotta if you prefer.

What to serve with this recipe:

I love this no boil simple lasagna with a fresh salad and bread--it's the classic meal. This Mixed Green Salad with Sourdough Croutons is always a big hit. I would never say no to some Parmesan Roasted Green Beans either!

I have been eyeing this Simple Focaccia Recipe for a while now, so this is going to happen the next time I make lasagna!

Overhead of lasagna on plate with bread.

Try these other dinner recipes:

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