Shortcut Lasagna is one of my top five “go-to” meals. Whether its a meal to gather, a meal to take, an easy meal to put in the freezer, or a hearty meal for a weeknight dinner that we can eat as leftovers later in the week. The meal is hearty, its a few ingredients and a few steps and it’s all done.
I first developed this recipe when I was looking for easy recipes to stuff in the freezer before our baby arrived. Not long after I came up with this default recipe for lasagna, my husband’s dad was in a bad car wreck and we needed to get food to their house fast for a group of family traveling in. Now, this is my default recipe I take to families with a new baby, for a potluck, or a hearty meal for Sunday lunch and weeknight leftovers.
The reality of nesting and planning ahead is becoming real every day. I’ve found myself scouring Pinterest for make-ahead meals, freezer crockpot concoctions, and all the “after baby” suggestions. All getting ready for delivery and keeping a little tiny human alive starting later this month.
But, the reality is we need a good go-to recipe all year, all life occasions. And, this Short Cut Lasagna is it! Whether it is a family dinner, hosting guests, taking food for a funeral or new baby, it just really doesn’t disappoint and is so easy. Add a box of frozen garlic bread and a salad kit and you have the perfect meal. And, you can freeze it before you cook it or after.
Let me know if you make it and if you would change anything!
Shortcut Lasagna
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup sauteed onions
- 1 28 ounce can or jar marinara sauce
- 2 14.5 ounce cans Italian Stewed Tomatoes
- 2 16 ounce tubs ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons pesto
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese
- 2 eggs
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups mozarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook ground beef and drain.
- Add in garlic and sauteed onions and stir together.
- Add marinara sauce and tomatoes. Stir together.
- In a separate bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, pesto, parmesan cheese, eggs, and salt and pepper.
- Spread a couple of tablespoons of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Lay down a layer of 4 noodles (uncooked)..
- Top with 1/3 meat sauce, 1/3 mozzarella, and 1/2 cheese mixture.
- Repeat – noodles, meat sauce, mozzarella cheese and cheese mixture.
- Cover with a final layer of noodles.
- Pour over remaining 1/3 meat sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Cook for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.
- Or, cover with foil and place in the refrigerator or fridge to eat later.
What are your favorite weeknight dinners for your family? Or, what is your default meal to take to a mom of a new baby or a sick friend?
