Lazy Lasagna Recipe (Oven and Air Fryer Instructions)
What is Lazy Lasagna?
Lazy Lasagna is a simplified version of traditional lasagna that retains all the rich flavors but skips the time-consuming layering. The texture is slightly creamier due to the blended cheeses, but it still delivers a classic lasagna’s hearty, cheesy satisfaction. It combines all the classic flavors in an easy-to-assemble, baked pasta dish, with penne pasta making the process even quicker.
Ingredients and Supplies to Make Lazy Lasagna
This Poor Man’s Lasagna Recipe is made to be an easy meal with pantry staples.
Ingredients
- Uncooked penne pasta or another favorite noodle such as farfalle, fusilli, or radiatore
- Ground beef or ground turkey
- Italian seasoning
- Cottage cheese
- Cream cheese (softened)
- Red pasta sauce or marinara sauce
- Shredded cheese for topping
Supplies
Ingredient Variations
Looking to switch things up? Here are some ingredient swaps and additions:
Different Cheeses:
- Mozzarella – Classic lasagna flavor, melts beautifully.
- Parmesan – Adds a sharp, salty taste to the dish.
- Ricotta Cheese – A creamier alternative to cottage cheese.
- Cheddar Cheese – Gives a slightly sharper, more robust flavor.
- Provolone – Melts smoothly and adds a mild smokiness.
Protein Options:
- Italian Sausage – Adds a bold, savory flavor.
- Ground Chicken – A leaner alternative to beef or turkey.
- Meatless Option – Use sautéed mushrooms or lentils instead.
Vegetable Add-ins:
- Spinach – Adds color and nutrients.
- Bell Peppers – Provides a bit of sweetness and crunch.
- Mushrooms – Bring an umami depth to the dish.
- Zucchini – A mild veggie that blends well with the other flavors.
How to Make Lazy Lasagna in the Air Fryer or Oven
Step 1: Preheat
Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C)
Air Fryer: Preheat to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes
Step 2: Pasta
Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
While the pasta is still warm, stir in the cream cheese and cottage cheese until well combined.
Step 3: Brown Ground Beef
Over medium heat, cook the ground beef in a skillet, breaking it into small pieces. Add Italian seasoning and cook until thoroughly browned. Drain excess grease if needed. Add the red spaghetti sauce and mix until combined.
Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna
Oven: In a greased 9×13 casserole dish (or two 8×8 pans), layer half the pasta cheese mixture, half the browned meat, and half the pasta sauce. Repeat the layers, then top with shredded cheese.
Air Fryer: Use an 8×8 oven-safe dish that fits in your air fryer. Layer half the pasta mixture, half the browned meat, and half the pasta sauce; repeat, then top with shredded cheese. Place the dish inside the hot air fryer for 2–3 minutes to start melting the cheese.
Step 5: Bake or Air Fry
Oven: Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Air Fryer: Cook at 330°F (165°C) for about 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated and the cheese is bubbly.
Leftover & Freezer Instructions
This dish will make an excellent freezer meal! Double the ingredients to eat one right out of the air fryer and store the second in the freezer for later!
Storing Leftovers:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to maintain texture, or use the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, to prevent drying out.
- Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Freezing Instructions:
- Assemble the lasagna as directed, but do not bake it.
- Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating, but you can also bake it straight from frozen by covering it with foil and increasing the baking time.
Cooking from Frozen:
- Thaw: Remove the lasagna from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
- Cook
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Bake the thawed lasagna uncovered for 30 minutes or until heated through.
- Air Fryer: Air fry at 300°F (150°C) for 30 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and cook for an additional 10 minutes to fully heat through and melt the cheese.
Final Thoughts
This Lazy Lasagna Recipe is the perfect dish for a quick, comforting meal that doesn’t compromise flavor. Whether baked in the oven or made in the air fryer, it delivers that classic cheesy, saucy goodness in half the time of traditional lasagna. Plus, its versatility and freezer-friendly options make it a great meal prep solution for busy nights. Give it a try and customize it to fit your family’s tastes!
More favorite pasta dishes
- 5-Ingredient Meatball Pasta Bake
- All-In-One Air Fryer Feta Penne Pasta
- Air Fryer Lasagna for Two
- Air Fryer Lasagna Bites
- Pasta e Fagioli Olive Garden Copycat Recipe
Side dish recipes to go with this lazy lasagna recipe:
- Garlic Bread Seasoning
- Easy Breadsticks
- Easy Air Fryer Asparagus
- Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Broccoli
- Green Salad with Homemade Zesty Italian Dressing
- The Best Summer Squash in the Air Fryer
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Poor Man's Lasagna Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 to 14 ounces uncooked penne pasta
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 24 ounce jar red pasta sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C.
- Boil the pasta according to package instructions.
- Meanwhile, brown the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Stir in the Italian seasoning before the meat is done cooking. Drain the grease, if needed. Set aside.
- Drain the water from the pasta and return it to the pot. While the pasta is still warm, add the cream cheese and cottage cheese and gently stir until combined.
- Layer a 9x13 pan (or two 8x8 pans) with half of the pasta mixture, meat, and pasta sauce. Repeat. Add shredded cheese on top. (See below for freezer instructions.) Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, until warmed through.
Preparing for the Freezer:
- Right after topping with cheese (and before baking), cover with few layers of plastic wrap. Then cover with foil. Label and freeze.
Prepare after Freezing:
- Thaw for about 24 hours in refrigerator, unwrap and bake as usual. Or keep frozen, unwrap, then re-cover with one layer of foil. Bake covered for about 30 minutes at 300°F/150°C. Remove the foil and increase oven temperature to 350°F/175°C. Bake for about 30 more minutes until cheese melts and the filling is bubbling and warmed through.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Make the recipe as written. But, make sure you use a 8x8 pan, or any oven safe dish that will fit in your air fryer basket.
- When you are ready to cook in the air fryer, first preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 400°F/200°C. Then, place the pan in the air fryer basket and let it sit in there for about 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is mostly melted. (This will make it so the cheese won't fly up into the heating element!)
- Cook for 15 minutes at 330°F/165°C.
After Freezing Air Fryer Instructions
- When you are ready to cook the lasagna from frozen, remove it from the freezer and thaw for about 24 hours in refrigerator, unwrap, and air fry as usual.
- Or keep frozen, unwrap, then re-cover with one layer of foil. Air fry covered for about 30 minutes at 300°C/150°C. Remove foil and increase oven temperature to 350°F/175°C. Bake for about 10 more minutes, or until cheese is melted and filling is bubbling and warmed through.
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Thank you for sharing this. I can’t wait to try this. It looks yummy
I cooked this dish last night. It was delicious! My daughter loved this as well! Great recipe. It was very inexpensive (used stockpile supply) and we have leftovers for tonight.
Glad to hear you like it too!
I just need cottage cheese … but I can splurge for that cheesy goodness up there! Thanks Melanie!
I made this for dinner- packaged half for another time. Hubby loved it! A great pantry fave!
I’m going to try it with creamy goat cheese (cream cheese is a no-no for me). I may add a few layers of spinach also. Cant wait to try it!
That sounds pretty good! Hope you like it!
Any suggestions on what flavor of pasta sauce and what type of cheese? Thanks!
I usually go with the regular flavor red sauce, or a cheesy one, or garlic-y one. You could really use any flavor you like.
The cheese is pretty flexible too. I usually use cheddar, or mozzarella, or a combination of both, or a shredded Italian blend.
Do you bake uncovered or covered with foil?
When cooking from frozen, I cover with foil for the first little while of baking. Otherwise, I bake uncovered. 🙂
Do you bake before putting in the freezer?
Do you bake before freezing? Or after you layer it and top with cheese just cover and put in freezer with baking?
Hi, Christine. I freeze it before baking. I updated the recipe wording to try make that part less confusing. (However, the baked leftovers actually freeze fine too.)
**without baking
Can you substitute ricotta for the cottage cheese? Or some other type of cheese? Hubby can’t stand the taste of cottage cheese..
Yes, I think you could definitely sub ricotta for the cottage cheese. It will be delicious, I’m sure!
Made this tonight because it’s summer break and I wanted something easy. It was great! My 4 year had two plates of it. I can’t get her to eat anything! Will be making this again.
now that’s the seal of approval. if a four year old likes it it must be delicious. can’t wait to try mine.
Ok, here goes, lol. I’ll let you know how it turns out. already have ideas for the next time. different things to add.
Hope it turned out great for you!
Do you think it would taste just as good with ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese?
Yes!
Can u use racotta cheese instead of cottage cheese ? And also cream cheese is on several different “do not freeze” lists.
Hi, Tammie. You can definitely try ricotta instead of cottage. It will be a bit different in texture and slightly with flavor, but still delicious! Because the cream cheese is all mixed in with other things, it actually does freeze well in this recipe. 🙂
Thank you for this recipe, I have made it several times already because my child LOVES it, well…hubby does too. I haven’t told my son that its made with cottage cheese, and no one can tell the difference. I also substitute the beef with Venison (deer meat) no fat very lean meat.
Awesome dish !!!
Great! You’re welcome and thank you for your nice comment. This recipe is definitely a family favorite here too.
This was delicious – frugal or not. Loved the cheese mixture tossed with the pasta. We used campanelle pasta, Jimmy Dean italian sausage, and Prego sauce. Excellent.
Yum, sausage would be great in there! Thanks for your comment, Jen!
*****Best lasagna recipe! I made this for my extended family with ages ranging from 4 years old to 85 years old and everyone absolutely loved it! I have numerous requests to make it again. Can’t thank you enough for a simple, delicious and now a favorite go to!
Awesome!! It is still one of my family’s favorites and I love how easy it is to make. 🙂 So glad it is now a favorite for you too! Thanks!
What is the serving size that is related to the nutrition facts? I assume that if you make this in two pans then each pan feeds 4-5 so roughly 1/5 or 1/4 of the 8×8 pan is a serving? Thank you!
I just updated it to show 12 servings in one 9×13 pan. So it would be about 1 cup per serving. I hope this helps!
I made this for dinner last night. As there are only two of us, I used 4 foil pans with lids (2.25 lb) 7.91 in x 1.77 in from Dollar Tree. Three were covered with their lids and one I baked for dinner. This gives me 3 ready to bake dinners. We loved the recipe. As we are mainly plant based I used plant based crumbles, added the Italian seasoning and about 1 cup of diced onion and 2 cloves of garlic. I then added the red sauce. To the pasta I used a collander to put in about 2 cups of chopped spinach the last few minutes of cooking. Removed it and then squeezed out excess water. Added this to the pasta with the cottage cheese and cream cheese. Layered the pasta, sauce, pasta, sauce and cheese. It was really easy and so tasty. Will definitely make this again. The smaller pans also fit in my air fryer oven and I will take one of the frozen dinners when we go camping and reheat in my air fryer. I don’t use the trailer oven as it heats up the entire unit, but use my airfryer for almost everything. Keep putting out great, easy recipes and love your cookbook.
Hey Carol, thank you so much for this review and for sharing the adjustments you made! Love it!
I don’t know if you already answered this question but I couldn’t find it.
Why are your recipes using Grams?
Great question, Sheri! Sometimes it is easier to weigh out the ingredients instead of measuring them. Although, this recipe isn’t written in grams- so make sure you have the “US Customary” or “Metric” version selected in the recipe box.