Poor Man’s Lasagna Recipe aka Lazy Lasagna
Poor Man’s Lasagna (Easy & Cheesy Comfort Food)
What is Lazy Lasagna?
This Lazy Man’s Lasagna recipe is a quick and delicious spin on the traditional layered dish. Sometimes called Poor Man’s Lasagna, it’s packed with cheesy goodness and comes together in half the time which is why it is also called Lazy Lasagna. This simplified version keeps 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. Using penne pasta makes the process even quicker.
Quick Recipe Box Notes (Grams, Servings & Serving Size)
- Why am I seeing grams? Our recipe card can display measurements in US Customary or Metric. If yours is showing grams, switch the toggle in the recipe box to US Customary (or keep Metric if you prefer weighing ingredients).
- Serving size for the nutrition facts: This recipe is written as 12 servings in a 9×13 pan, which is about 1 cup per serving. (If you split into two 8×8 pans, the serving size is still about the same—just portion accordingly.)
Ingredients and Supplies to Make Lazy Lasagna
This Poor Man’s Lasagna recipe is meant to be an easy, family-friendly dinner using simple pantry staples.
Ingredients
- Uncooked penne pasta (or another 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
Want to switch things up? Here are a few easy swaps and add-ins that work well with this recipe.
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.
Can I use ricotta instead of cottage cheese?
Yes! You can substitute ricotta for cottage cheese (or do a half-and-half mix). Ricotta is a bit smoother and slightly richer, but the flavor will still be delicious.
Does cream cheese freeze well?
Cream cheese can sometimes change texture when frozen on its own, but in this recipe it’s mixed into the pasta and cheese mixture, so it typically freezes and reheats well. For the best texture, thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Protein Options:
- Italian sausage – Adds bold, savory flavor.
- Ground chicken – A leaner alternative to beef or turkey.
- Venison – Very lean and works great as a swap.
- Meatless option – Try plant-based crumbles, sautéed mushrooms, or lentils instead.
Vegetable Add-ins:
- Spinach – Adds color and nutrients.
- Bell peppers – Adds sweetness and a little crunch.
- Mushrooms – Brings an umami depth.
- Zucchini – Mild and blends well with the other flavors.
- Onion + garlic – A simple upgrade that adds big flavor.
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: Cook the 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 (the warmth helps everything melt together).
Step 3: Brown the Meat & Add Sauce
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. Stir in the red pasta sauce until combined.
Step 4: Assemble
Oven: In a greased 9×13 casserole dish (or two 8×8 pans), layer half the pasta-cheese mixture, half the meat sauce, then repeat. 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 meat sauce, repeat, then top with shredded 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: To keep cheese from flying up, place the dish in the preheated air fryer for 2–3 minutes first (just until cheese is mostly melted). Then cook at 330°F (165°C) for about 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Leftover & Freezer Instructions
This dish makes an excellent freezer meal! For best results, freeze it after assembling but before baking. (That said, baked leftovers also freeze well.)
Storing Leftovers:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between, to prevent drying out.
- For best texture, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10–15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Freezing Instructions:
Common question: Do I bake before freezing? No—assemble it, cover it well, and freeze it without baking. Then thaw and bake when you’re ready to eat.
- Assemble the lasagna as directed, but do not bake.
- Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil (or use a tight-fitting lid if your pan has one).
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
Cooking from Frozen:
- Best method (recommended): Thaw in the refrigerator for about 24 hours.
- Oven (thawed): Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
- Oven (still frozen): Cover with foil and bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 30 minutes. Remove foil, increase heat to 350°F (175°C), and bake about 30 more minutes, or until fully heated through and bubbly.
- Air Fryer (thawed): Air fry at 330°F (165°C) for about 15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
- Covered or uncovered? Bake uncovered for the normal recipe. When cooking from frozen, start covered with foil to prevent over-browning, then finish uncovered.
Reader Tip: Plant-Based + Freezer Pan Method
Carol shared an awesome variation and freezer-prep method (and gave it a big thumbs up!). Here’s what worked for her:
- Portioned the recipe into 4 small foil pans with lids (baked 1 for dinner, froze 3 for later).
- Used plant-based crumbles with Italian seasoning, plus about 1 cup diced onion and 2 cloves garlic.
- Added spinach by stirring chopped spinach into the pasta water near the end, then squeezing out excess water before mixing into the pasta/cheese.
- Noted the smaller pans also fit in an air fryer oven—great for camping so you don’t heat up the whole space.
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.
It’s also a crowd-pleaser: readers have told us even picky kids go back for seconds, and it’s been a hit for big family dinners too.
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.