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    Home » Easy Recipes

    Cheater Lasagna

    Published: Jun 17, 2023 by Susan Moncrieff · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This cheesy, well-seasoned ravioli lasagna, with a hearty helping of ground beef, hits the spot when you are looking for a delicious pasta dish. Easier, quicker and just as delicious as traditional lasagna!  The huge helpful shortcut?  Use cheese ravioli instead of cooking and layering lasagna noodles and cheese!

    piece of lazy lasagna on a white plate

    This lazy lasagna recipe is a cheap & frugal family meal that is delicious! This garlic bread recipe is the perfect side! Or, if you are looking for a fresh-tasting appetizer for your Italian dinner, make this bruschetta with fresh basil.

    Why is this a favorite pasta recipe?

    This is a simple recipe using mainly pantry ingredients. It is an easy meal. But it's delicious and it satisfies that Italian pasta craving.

    When you get a craving for lasagna, this comes together quick. And, if you need to buy the ingredients, it's not many. You can also

    Ingredients

    1 (25 - 30 oz container) of fresh ravioli *
    1 24 oz marinara pasta sauce
    ½ lb low-fat cooked hamburger crumbles
    2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
    ½ cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese

    *Frozen ravioli works as well. You just need to add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.

    Instructions

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit

    Step 1
    Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.
    Spread approx. ⅓ of pasta sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
    Arrange a layer of ravioli in the dish in a single layer.

    adding a layer of ravioli


    Step 2
    Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella evenly over the ravioli, followed by ¼ cup of the shredded parmesan.
    Step 3
    Sprinkle all the cooked ground beef onto the cheese layer.
    Top with ⅓ of pasta sauce. I just spoon it on evenly and lightly spread it out making sure to get the sauce in the corners and edges.

    beef and shredded cheese on top of ravioli


    Step 4
    Add a second layer of ravioli, and cover with the remaining pasta sauce.
    Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

    lazy lasagna with final layer of marinara sauce and cheese

    Step 5
    Wrap the top of the baking dish with sprayed foil.
    Bake for 30 minutes then remove foil.

    taking foil off lazy lasagna so it can brown more

    Step 6
    Bake another 5-10 minutes until cheese starts to brown.

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    lazy lasagna with ravioli taken out of oven

    This is a recipe I make with the taste of lasagna (pasta, sauce and cheesy!), but wayyyyy less work. Quick, easy and certainly one of those dishes you can prepare beforehand. I call it cheater's lasagna and my kids know exactly what I'm making.

    Helpful hints and substitutions

    Instead of using hamburger meat, use ground chicken, turkey or a combination with your favorite sausage. This is an easy vegetarian dish too! Just leave out the meat and ensure the ravioli you buy is vegetarian.


    I try to use fresh cheese ravioli. However, other ravioli flavors also work. In a pinch, I've also used tortellini, but those tend to be smaller and harder to layer. But if that's what you have at home, use it!

    You can also up the vegetable content of this meal. Layer some fresh (or thawed drained) spinach. This is especially nice if you are making a vegetarian version.

    Storage

    This can be refrigerated in a covered container for 4 -5 days.

    If freezing, ensure there is very little air in the container and keep it frozen for a maximum of 2 months.

    FAQ

    Can I use frozen ravioli?

    Yes, just either allow to thaw prior to baking or bake a few minutes extra to get the dish hot.

    Can I use the small dried ravioli?

    I wouldn't. I don't think you will get the same result. You need the big kinds of ravioli!

    Other Italian dishes and sides

    • Homemade garlic bread. With Cheese!
      Authentic and delicious Italian garlic bread!
    • bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and basil on a slice of baguette
      Bruschetta with Fresh Basil
    • Italian Wedding Soup
      Italian Wedding Soup - Homemade!
    • Pasta Fagioli soup in a red pot.
      Easy Pasta Fagioli Soup

    Printable recipe for lazy lasagna

    piece of lazy

    Lazy lasagna with ravioli

    A delicious lazy lasagna flavored recipe.  This easy pasta recipe has all the flavor of lasagna but way less work and time! The shortcut is using cheese ravioli instead of layering lasagna and cheese.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: casserole
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 182cal
    Author: Susan Moncrieff

    Ingredients

    • 1 container ravioli 30 - 30 oz fresh ravioli
    • 1 jar oz marinara pasta sauce 24 oz jar
    • ½ lb hamburger crumbles cooked
    • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded mozzarella cheese
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated or shredded

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.
    • Spread approx. ⅓ of pasta sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
    • Arrange a layer of ravioli in the dish in a single layer.
    • Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella evenly over the ravioli, followed by ¼ cup of the shredded parmesan.
    • Sprinkle all the cooked ground beef.
    • Top with ⅓ of pasta sauce. I just spoon it on evenly and lightly spread it out making sure to get the sauce in the corners and edges.
    • Add a second layer of ravioli, cover with the remaining pasta sauce.
    • Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese
    • Wrap baking dish with sprayed foil.
    • Bake for 30 minutes, remove foil and bake another 5-10 minutes until cheese starts to brown.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 182cal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 253IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 221mg | Iron: 1mg

    Please pin to Pinterest.

    close up on a piece of lasagna garnished with fresh basil

    Originally published January 2014. Updated numerous times : ).

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    19.4K shares
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    1. Michelle Leslie

      July 04, 2022 at 10:29 am

      5 stars
      I found this recipe on Pinterest the other day and we tries it and it was sooooooooo yummy. JUst wanted to say thank you.

      Reply
    2. Sara

      July 04, 2022 at 10:12 am

      5 stars
      I love a good cheat!

      Reply
    3. Rachael

      July 03, 2022 at 4:12 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness! Such a delicious and clever recipe! Ravioli makes this so easy!

      Reply
    4. Rhonda

      June 29, 2022 at 10:06 am

      5 stars
      I can't wait to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing it with us. I'm all about easy and delicious.

      Reply
    5. Tessa Zundel

      June 28, 2022 at 7:08 pm

      5 stars
      This is complete genius - thank you!!

      Reply
    6. Mary

      May 02, 2019 at 7:04 am

      I love lasagna but it can be so time-consuming to make. This is a great option and one I will certainly try. Pinning.

      Reply
    7. Bonnie Davis

      April 05, 2019 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars
      I have no idea why I didn't think this up myself! Glad you were clever enough to do it for me. Going in to town for a month's worth of groceries and I will be making sure I have enough cheese and noodles to do this recipe.

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        April 12, 2019 at 9:19 pm

        This recipe is easy but delicious! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

        Reply
    8. Sarah

      October 31, 2015 at 6:30 pm

      I just made this tonight... I loved it! Something simple with a few steps, and then just throw in the oven is always a nice go-to. I just found your blog and I'm so happy I did! Thanks for a great recipe, I can't wait to try your others!

      Reply
    9. Clint

      February 03, 2014 at 1:46 pm

      Superb taste for me but will add another half jar of sauce as my wife and sister-in-law like it juicier.

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        February 07, 2014 at 9:10 am

        I always add a little more on top of my portion too! My kids just don't like it 'saucy'. It's easy to add a little extra on top but hard to take it away. Glad you liked it!

        Reply
    10. Carrie From Carrie This Home

      January 17, 2014 at 9:32 am

      We were stuck in the house a couple weeks ago with very cold weather, so I can understand why you cooked so much! This meal looks delicious!
      Since you asked, I have a list of go-to crock pot recipes that are super easy. I make these meals all the time! Here they are: http://carriethishome.com/2013/05/my-favorite-easy-crock-pot-recipes/
      Thank you for linking this up to Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop!

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        January 18, 2014 at 10:24 pm

        Yes, might as well cook during our cold, long winter! Thank you for sharing your crock pot recipes. Your Turkey breast recipe looks awesome! To my readers, follow the link Carrie provided in her comment to find 7 crock pot recipes!

        Reply

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    I'm Susan Moncrieff! I love sharing easy recipes, especially those that take less than 30 minutes and have less than 5 ingredients. I'm passionate about gardening and creating flower planters. My home is 100 years old and sometimes you will see it in my posts! It was a true fixer upper and I love it!

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