What is lazy lasagna?
It's what's for dinner when you are craving the taste of lasagna but don't have the time or energy to fuss with making traditional lasagna. This cheesy, well-seasoned tomato pasta, 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 lasagna! The huge helpful shortcut? Use cheese ravioli instead of cooking and layering lasagna noodles and ricotta cheese!
Why is this a favorite pasta recipe of ours!
If you are a regular follower of my blog, you may have noticed I'm starting to add some of my 'go-to' recipes. It helps with that dreaded, "What's for dinner." question. The question so many of us moms hear and cringe at. I will share my meals with you and PLEASE, if you have any ideas on simple, foolproof recipes, please do share them with me. Let's make this a resource for everyone trying to figure out what's for dinner!
This is a simple recipe using mainly pantry ingredients. It is an easy meal. And with the cost of groceries, its a cheap & frugal family meal that is delicious!
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
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, and cover with the remaining pasta sauce.
Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese

Wrap baking dish with sprayed foil.
Bake for 30 minutes, remove foil.

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

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 ahead of time. 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 make sure 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 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.
Serve with
Easy homemade Italian Garlic Bread
Your favorite simple salad.
Printable recipe for lazy lasagna

Lazy lasagna with ravioli
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
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.
I hope you and your family enjoy this lazy lasagna recipe. I'm all about making a good meal that is nutritious, tasty, but not too fussy and time-consuming. If watching calories have a smaller piece and a salad with it. Or, if this is a little more of an indulgent meal, make sure to have some garlic bread with it. Follow this link for my homemade garlic bread recipe.
Do I have Other Pasta recipes?
Here are a few other pasta recipes that are popular on this site. They are delicious!!
Easy Chicken Noodle and Cheese Casserole
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Originally published January 2014. Updated numerous times.
Michelle Leslie
I found this recipe on Pinterest the other day and we tries it and it was sooooooooo yummy. JUst wanted to say thank you.
Sara
I love a good cheat!
Rachael
Oh my goodness! Such a delicious and clever recipe! Ravioli makes this so easy!
Rhonda
I can't wait to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing it with us. I'm all about easy and delicious.
Tessa Zundel
This is complete genius - thank you!!
Mary
I love lasagna but it can be so time-consuming to make. This is a great option and one I will certainly try. Pinning.
Bonnie Davis
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.
momcrieff
This recipe is easy but delicious! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Sarah
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!
Clint
Superb taste for me but will add another half jar of sauce as my wife and sister-in-law like it juicier.
momcrieff
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!
Carrie From Carrie This Home
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!
momcrieff
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!