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No need to boil the noodles–this simple No Boil Lasagna recipe is easy to whip up and is loaded with thin sliced meatballs that makes for a delicious, comforting pasta meal. Easy to make ahead and even better as leftovers!
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.
Why You Will Love This No Boil Lasagna Recipe:
- No boiling necessary! I mean, it’s the name of the recipe, right? I have not boiled lasagna noodles in over 20 years, and maybe longer. Using the Barilla no boil lasagna noodles changed everything for me. Now there are quite a few brands that have them as well.
- Lots of ways to make this quicker prep, but also easy to add from scratch elements. Jars of marinara, pre-shredded cheese, frozen meatballs, and of course, the noodles, make this so easy to whip up. However, you can take this recipe slower with made from scratch marinara, homemade meatballs, and more. Make it special with your own combinations.
- Leftovers are the very BEST. This lasagna and really any cheesy baked pasta recipe is better the next day. The ingredients have time to really soak in all of the flavors and are that much tastier.
- Freezer friendly. I often make this recipe for a family in need of a home cooked meal so that they can freeze it or eat it right away. Lasagna noodles seem to hold up fairly well in the freezer. You can even freeze individual servings for a quick meal for one when you are craving a cozy lasagna meal.
Meatballs Make Lasagna Better:
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!
Recipe Ingredients:
- 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! And if you want a sweet recipe with cottage cheese if you have any leftover, you will have to check out this cottage cheese ice cream!
- 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!
How To Make This No Boil Lasagna:
- 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!
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 3/4 – 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 1/3 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 1/2 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.
Notes and Pro-Tips:
- You can prep this recipe in advance. 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.
- You can adjust the amount of meat in this recipe if it’s too much. 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!
- Don’t skimp on the sauce. 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.
Storage Instructions:
You can store this lasagna for up to 4-5 days in an air tight container in the refrigerator. As I have mentioned before, it tastes even better after the first day.
To freeze, allow it to cool completely and then place in an air tight, freezer safe container. I like to freeze individual servings for easy grab and reheat meals.
To reheat from frozen: preheat the oven to 350°F. Add some extra sauce over top if possible to keep plenty of moisture in. Cover the lasagna with foil and then bake for about 30-40 minutes or until heated through. Feel free to use a meat thermometer to check for about 165°F temperature in the middle.
Optional Lasagna Add-Ins and Variations:
This lasagna recipe is pretty classic and a great base recipe. You are more than welcome to add some variety to it with the addition of any of the following:
- spinach: thaw and squeeze out the moisture of up to 10 oz. chopped frozen spinach. Stir it in with the cottage cheese mixture when preparing your no boil lasagna.
- mushrooms: you can sauté them in butter or just add them sliced and fresh.
- fresh herbs: you can stir in some chopped fresh basil, oregano or other favorites.
- make it spicy: use a spicy marinara sauce or add some crushed red pepper to the cottage cheese mixture.
- vary the cheeses: you can use ricotta instead of the cottage cheese in this recipe, use a mixture of favorite Italian cheeses such as Romano, asiago, etc. You can also top the lasagna with fresh slices of mozzarella.
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!
Try these other dinner recipes:
- Whole Wheat Mini Pizzas
- One Pot Chicken Alfredo
- Easy Baked Pasta
- One Pot Chili Mac
- Spinach Ricotta Chicken
- Pumpkin Ricotta Pasta Bake
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No Boil Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 package no boil lasagna noodles , 9 oz.
- 2 jars marinara (24 oz.), I use about a little over a jar and a half
- 2 c cottage cheese, small curd
- 4 c mozzarella, shredded and divided
- 1 c parmesan cheese, shredded or grated
- 1 egg, large
- 18 oz. precooked meatballs*, thawed if frozen
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp cracked pepper
- ½ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a medium bowl, add the cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, parmesan cheese, garlic, egg, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Slice the meatballs and set aside.
- Spray a 9×13 baking pan with oil. Add about 1 cup marinara sauce to the bottom of the pan and spread evenly making sure the entire bottom is covered. Layer 4 uncooked pasta sheets, slightly overlapping if necessary.
- Spread sauce over top of the layer of pasta and spread to cover. Add ⅓ of the cheese mixture over top of the sauce and spread evenly to cover. Layer meatballs on top of the cheese, close together. Sprinkle about ½ cup of mozzarella on top of the meatballs. Add another layer of pasta on top.
- Repeat the process of step 4 two more times. Cover the final layer with the enough sauce to cover all of the edges. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes or until the sauce is lightly bubbling and the pasta is softened.
- Add the remaining mozzarella on top and bake for 10 more minutes or until the cheese is melted. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can prep this recipe in advance. 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.
- You can adjust the amount of meat in this recipe if it’s too much. 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!
- Don’t skimp on the sauce. 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.
- *As far as the meatballs–meatball sizes and packaging varies so it’s tricky to say exactly how much. My turkey meatballs I use from Kroger come in 12 oz. packages and I use about one and a half packages. 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!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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