Quick and Easy Lasagna Pasta - Recipe Diaries (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Jenna · This post may contain affiliate links · 38 Comments

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This lasagna pasta is full of your favorite lasagna flavors such as pasta, sausage, cheese, and marinara sauce. It can be made in one pot and takes less than 30 minutes to make which is the perfect amount of time to make dinner!

Quick and Easy Lasagna Pasta - Recipe Diaries (1)

You can serve this dish with a side salad, Texas toast, arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, or my easy cheesy garlic breadstick recipe (which can be found below). This dish is much easier to make than lasagna which requires a bunch of layering.

This dish is a reader favorite and has been pinned 363K times! That is crazy! Read the reviews below and watch the video on how to make it.

If you like lasagna recipes try Buffalo Chicken Baked Ziti, Trisha Yearwood's Cowboy Lasagna, or Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

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  • Ingredients Needed
  • Variations to Try
  • What to serve with Lasagna Pasta
  • Lasagna Pasta

Ingredients Needed

Quick and Easy Lasagna Pasta - Recipe Diaries (2)
  • Lean ground beef or 99% fat-free turkey - Is considered better than higher fat options for several reasons. First, it has less saturated fat, which can contribute to heart disease and other health issues. Additionally, it tends to have fewer calories per serving, making it a good option for those watching their weight. The 96% lean ground beef from Aldi is my favorite. Sometimes I use a split between ground beef and Italian Sausge.
  • Marinara sauce (or 3 cups homemade) - Store-bought jarred marinara sauce is convenient to have at home for a quick meal like this lasagna pasta.My favorite marinara sauce is always Rao’s because it has all clean ingredients on the back of the ingredients list
  • Garlic powder - Is made from dehydrated garlic cloves and like the chili powder above it gets pulverized into a powder or flour consistency.
  • Italian seasoning - Is a popular blend of herbs and spices that typically includes a mix of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and sometimes garlic powder or dried red pepper flakes.
  • Crushed red pepper - are small pieces of dried hot peppers, typically made from cayenne, that are crushed or ground into small flakes.
  • Part-skim mozzarella cheese - Reduced-Fat Cheese has a lower calorie count and less saturated fat than regular cheese, but it may also have a different taste and texture. It also helps with keeping the calorie count pretty low for this recipe.
  • Sour cream or Plain Greek yogurt can be used instead of sour cream as well.
  • See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

How to make Lasagna Pasta

Step 1: Boil pasta in large pot of salted water until al dente, drain.

Quick and Easy Lasagna Pasta - Recipe Diaries (3)

Step 2: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage with the onion until fully cooked; drain the fat and return the pan to the stove.

Quick and Easy Lasagna Pasta - Recipe Diaries (4)

Step 3: Add cooked pasta to skillet on top of meat, then drizzle on olive oil. Add the sauce, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasonings. Stir. Add cheese and sour cream. Stir over low heat until cheese is melted and all ingredients are combined.

Quick and Easy Lasagna Pasta - Recipe Diaries (5)

Step 3: Taste and add salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve with parmesan or additional mozzarella, if desired.

Variations to Try

  • This Lasagna Pasta Recipe calls for ground beef or Italian sausage. I love Italian sausage with this but other types of protein work as well. You can sub ground chicken or ground turkey to lower the points for the dish.
  • Store bought marinara sauce is high in points because of added sugar or olive oil. Make your own zero point marinara. I posted this recipe back in 2014 and back then there were no zero point marinara sauce recipes. I've recently developed my own recipe for Basic Marinara Sauce.
  • If you make this recipe with 93% lean ground beef, plain greek yogurt,and homemade marinara sauce the smart points would be 10 per serving.
  • If you make this recipe with 99% lean ground turkey, plain greek yogurt, and homemade marinara sauce the smart points would be 7 per serving.
  • As you can see there are many different ways you can make this!

What to serve with Lasagna Pasta

Lasagna is a delicious and hearty meal that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with other dishes. If you're looking to serve something alongside your lasagna, here are some great options to consider:

  1. Air Fryer Garlic bread: This classic Italian side dish is a perfect complement to lasagna. It's easy to make and can be served warm and crispy.
  2. Salad: A fresh salad can help cut through the richness of the lasagna. Just a bag of Ceasar salad from the store is fine.
  3. Roasted vegetables: Roasting vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers can add a great depth of flavor to your meal.
  4. My recipe for Easy Cheesy Garlic Bread Sticks are a popular Italian side dish that can be served alongside lasagna.
  5. Antipasto platter: If you're looking to serve a variety of dishes, consider putting together an antipasto platter with cured meats, cheeses, olives, and other small bites.

If you tried this Lasagna Pasta or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries

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Quick and Easy Lasagna Pasta - Recipe Diaries (6)

Lasagna Pasta

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 6 reviews

  • Author: Jenna
  • Prep Time: 5min
  • Cook Time: 30min
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: Italian
Print Recipe

Description

This lasagna pasta is full of your favorite lasagna flavors such as pasta, sausage, cheese, and marinara sauce. The whole dish comes together in under 30 minutes and it only requires one pot!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 lb bowtie pasta
  • 1 lb 93% lean ground beef or 99% fat-free turkey
  • 1 jar marinara sauce (or 3 cups homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 heaping teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ tsp of crushed red pepper
  • 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup low-fat sour cream or 1 cup plain greek yogurt.

Instructions

  1. Boil pasta in large pot of salted water until al dente, drain. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef until fully cooked; drain fat and return to pan.
  3. Add cooked pasta to skillet on top of the meat. Add the sauce, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasonings, and stir. Add cheese and sour cream. Stir over low heat until cheese is melted and all ingredients are combined.
  4. Taste and add salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve with parmesan or additional mozzarella, if desired.
  5. Divide into 8 equal portions or 1 heaping cup per serving

Notes

My WW Personal Points: 13 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 444
  • Sugar: 9.34
  • Fat: 10.54
  • Saturated Fat: 3.62
  • Carbohydrates: 60.32
  • Fiber: 3.2
  • Protein: 25.75

More Weight Watcher Recipes

  • Spaghetti with Ground Beef Sauce
  • Pizza Pasta Casserole
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenna says

    Yes, it doesn't have to be Greek Yogurt. Can also use sour cream.

  2. Mm says

    Could I use plain whole milk yogurt or does it have to be Greek Yogurt?

  3. Bella says

    Can I substitute ricotta for mozzarella?

  4. Jenna says

    I've reheated pasta in the air fryer before. 350 for about 5 minutes in one of those tinfoil pans or oven-proof dishes. Comes out pretty well and almost tasted like the original.

  5. Charlotte says

    Delicious! What is the best way to reheat leftovers though?

  6. Amanda says

    Made this dairy-free today with these subs, in case anyone (like me) reads reviews to see if it might work!

    Sub Kite Hill ricotta for mozzarella
    Sub Kite Hill sour cream for sour cream (I think any df sour cream or df plain greek yogurt would work well here though! I just had this on-hand.)

    I used .5 lb italian sausage and .5 lb ground beef. It's AMAZING! Thank you!

  7. Jenna says

    Thanks for the review Dustin!

  8. Dustin says

    We made this recipe yesterday. We are Soo looking forward to putting it in the oven today. Thank you for sharing your easy to make.

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Quick and Easy Lasagna Pasta - Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

Do you boil lasagna pasta before baking? ›

Important: do NOT pre-boil the noodles!

Should you criss cross lasagna noodles? ›

(Do notice that I put the noodles criss cross – perpendicular from the layer below – it helps it to hold together when you serve it). So, the noodles directly on the cheese means there won't be enough for a top layer of noodles.

What happens if you boil no boil lasagna noodles? ›

Yes, you can absolutely boil your lasagna noodles – even the oven-ready type. I prefer to par-boil (partially boil) oven-ready dried noodles for lasagna for 3-5 minutes before they become “al dente”. Al dente is an Italian term that literally means 'to the tooth'.

How many layers should a lasagna be? ›

Then repeat the layers. Top the last layer of your lasagna with sauce and cheese. You can also alternate layers of sauce and ricotta cheese. Most lasagna recipes have two to three layers.

Do you rinse lasagna noodles in cold water after boiling? ›

Do Not Rinse. Pasta should never, ever be rinsed for a warm dish. The starch in the water is what helps the sauce adhere to your pasta. The only time you should ever rinse your pasta is when you are going to use it in a cold dish like a pasta salad or when you are not going to use it immediately.

How long to soak lasagna noodles before baking? ›

How to Prepare Lasagna Noodles Using the Soak Method. To employ the so-called "noodle trick," simply fill a large bowl with the hottest tap water, put your dry lasagna noodles in, and let the noodles soak for 20 minutes before draining.

How do you boil perfect lasagna noodles? ›

Stir the pot two or three more times.

Now that the water is boiling, the lasagna noodles should stay spaced apart. Don't risk them sticking together or sinking to the bottom, so return to the element and stir a few more times. If noodles are heating too close together, they won't release starch properly.

How long should you boil lasagna noodles? ›

Cook lasagna noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. While the noodles are cooking, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Do oven ready lasagna noodles really work? ›

No-boil noodles may never produce the best lasagna of all time, but if you're looking for a reliable alternative to traditional noodles that's fast and user-friendly, they're definitely worth a try.

How do you boil lasagne sheets so they don't stick together? ›

Boil water like you normally do when cooking lasagne sheets. However, this time stir vigorously in circles so you create a whirlpool in the water. This way, when you add the lasagne sheets to the boiling water, the whirlpool movement will prevent them from sticking to each other.

How many layers of lasagne sheets should you do? ›

If your lasagna will be rich in meat and with not so much juicy tomatoes you can add a couple of layers more than 3, but if it's only besciamella, tomato sauce and a few meat, I would suggest 2 or 3 layers maximum.

Why put toothpick in lasagna? ›

Pro Tip: There's nothing worse than having the top portion of cheese stuck to the foil. To prevent this, I poke 8-10 toothpicks evenly around the top of the lasagna, pushing them in halfway to keep the foil from touching the cheese. Just be sure to count and remove every toothpick prior to serving.

How do you boil lasagna noodles without sticking together? ›

Boil water like you normally do when cooking lasagne sheets. However, this time stir vigorously in circles so you create a whirlpool in the water. This way, when you add the lasagne sheets to the boiling water, the whirlpool movement will prevent them from sticking to each other.

How do you keep lasagna noodles from getting soggy? ›

It is best to cut that cooking time in half, so they don't get overly soggy from baking in the oven. Use a pot that can fit your lasagna noodles lengthwise, so they cook evenly. Next, drain your noodles and lay them on a solid surface (such as a large cutting board) side by side while they are still warm.

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