Easy Homemade Lasagna: No pre-boiling noodles or browning meat. It is as simple as layering and is ready in 5 minutes! But tastes just as delicious as the classic.
My baby boy turned 9 this past weekend.
I am stunned at how fast time flies. It truly seemed like yesterday I was bringing him home from the hospital. Thankfully, after 9 years, my sweet boy still loves to occasionally cuddle me and spend time with me.
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This year his wish was to visit his grandparents–yes, this boy has a huge heart. His other wish was to race go-carts with his Dad–yep, all boy!!!
As we were preparing to hit the road to visit his grandparents, he requested that I made him homemade lasagna.
He usually request New York Strip Roast with Hasselback Sweet Potatoes–but lasagana was more my idea of comfort food.
However, this was last minute–we were celebrating on his actual birthday with my family, 10 hours away. And my fridge was pretty well cleaned out due to the fact we would not be eating at home for a week.
Hmmm……I aim to please and wanted to make this happen for him, especially on birthdays!
Easy Homemade Lasagna
Taking a look around in the kitchen, making a quick lasagna was actually the best way to clean out the fridge.
Ah, how I love that boy. He requested the easiest meal in the world that was utilizing all the last bits of food left in my fridge.
Sigh, he is the perfect child (well, at least I will allow myself to feel that way on his birthday!!!)
Left in my fridge was some homemade tomato sauce and half a package of nitrate free pepperoni from pizza bread, some cottage cheese and parsley from the quinoa burgers, and half a box of whole wheat lasagna noodles. There was also one lone egg. However not much cheese, but I could still make this work.
You are going to love this easy lasagna recipe.
It is a perfect example of using what you have on hand.
Substitions for this 5 Minute Prep, No-Boil Homemade Lasagna
- Don’t have pepperoni–use sausage or beef or vegetables, or nothing at all.
- You love cheese? Pile it on. Your stomach is a little sensitive to cheese or you are watching your calories? Just leave some out.
- Have fresh herbs? Toss them in the cottage cheese.
- You don’t have cottage cheese? Use ricotta, tofu, Greek yogurt, or cream cheese.
I am giving you options. This is the best way to cook to save money and meet your satisfy your family’s palate.
It also is SO easy–you don’t have to pre-cook the noodles. I know–that is the worst part when you are making lasagna, isn’t it? I hate having to dirty another pan!!!
Following is the exact recipe for homemade lasagna I used.
I really think just that bit of pepperoni added so much flavor to the lasagna without overwhelming it–but often I leave it out for a vegetarain lasagana.
This recipe says it serves 8, but I am warning you, my family of 4 only had 1 large piece leftover. We were gluttons on the night I made this. I think we forgot about the lemon cookies my son wanted for dessert when we were eating 🙂
More Lasagna Recipes
- Pierogi Lasagna
- Grilled Vegetable Lasagna
- Baked Ravioli Lasagna
- Healthy Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna
- Easy Pizza Lasagna Roll Ups
Let’s Make Easy Lasagna
Easy Homemade Lasagna
Simple Lasagna Recipe with no browning of meat or boiling of noodles.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 12 whole wheat lasagna noodles uncooked
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 3 cups homemade tomato sauce or your favorite store brand, combined with 1 cup of water
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese grated
- 1.5 oz nitrate free pepperoni half a package
Instructions
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Brush a 9x13 pan with olive oil.
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Mix the cottage cheese with fresh and dried spices and garlic with egg.
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Spread 3 tbs of the sauce on the bottom of the pan. Lay 4 noodles down. Top with 1/2 the cottage cheese mixture lay out the pepperoni over the cottage cheese. Top with 1 cup sauce. Lay 4 more noodles down and the spread with the remaining cottage cheese mixture. Top with 1 cup sauce and 4 more noodles. Pour the remaining sauce over the noodles and top with the cheese.
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Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375 for 45 minutes. Remove foil and continuing baking for 15 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes or so, before devouring!!
Recipe Video
This post was originally published in April of 2014. So my boy is now 12 but he still asks for this lasagna. Text and recipe remain the same, just new pictures!
Angela Barnard says
Looks amazing and I will definitely be trying it. I love all the options you gave since we all have different items in our pantry/fridge! Thanks!
kchidsey says
So glad you will be trying this! I think it is so important for people to cook using what they like or have on hand–I would hate for one ingredient to cause someone not to try a recipe.
Kathy says
Do you think this will work with rice pasta for a gluten free version? I’m not sure if all no-boil noodles need the same amount of cooking time and x-tra liquid.
Kristen Chidsey says
For several years, my family was gluten-free and I used rice pasta perfectly. However, I always precooked the pasta first to remove some of the excess starch that tends to come off gluten-free pasta. It may work to not pre-cook pasta, but I have never tried that. I hope you enjoy it.
David @ CookingChat says
Good story & dish! Our boys are close in age, ours turned 9 in August. He requested filet mignon for his birthday. Need to try him on lasagna, would save us some $! Actually he has been known to request pasta for birthdays–fettuccine in particular.
Kristen Chidsey says
Ha! My son loves steak as well–surprised he hasn’t asked for it yet!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
you said lasagna and I came running! I totally agree with you that a tiny bit o’ pepperoni adds so much!
Kristen Chidsey says
It is amazing how much flavor it can add!
Valerie says
I like EASY! My family will love this recipe, thanks!
Alyssa @ Simply Quinoa says
Easy? Italian? Oh yes! The best thing ever 🙂
Kristen Chidsey says
Totally agree Alyssa!
amanda @ fake ginger says
Lasagna is the perfect birthday meal! This looks delicious!
Kristen Chidsey says
It was what I asked my mom to make every year growing up as well!
Karly says
Aaaand now I’m drooling. Not only is lasagna an all time fave, but lasagna that I don’t have to slave over for hours to make? SIGN. ME. UP. Love this!
Kristen Chidsey says
Ah thanks so much Karly!
Amy-Mommy-Mee Mee says
Has anyone ever tried pastrami instead of pepperoni? Most of us love turkey pepperoni however my husband and son hate the stuff????
I guess I could use ground meat but I love easy freezer meals.
Kristen Chidsey says
I sure think that will WORK wonders! I have also used nitrate free Salami with success. If you give Pastrami a try, I want to know how it turns out!
Nellie Tracy says
An easier and quicker lasagna has my name written all over it! I love this recipe!
Kristen Chidsey says
YAY!!! It makes lasagna possible on busy nights.
Taryn says
This really is the world’s easiest lasagna! Thank you for a great recipe 🙂
Kristen Chidsey says
Isn’t it so easy Taryn?! I am so glad you enjoyed it.
Tisha says
Italian food is one of my favorites! I love lasagna, especially with cottage cheese in it!!! This looks amazing!
Brandi says
Lasagna is one of my favorite dishes! Its great to have an easy recipe on hand.
Kristen Chidsey says
is is the EASIEST lasagna ever (but still just as tasty!)Enjoy!