Are you ever in the mood for a delicious, comforting meal but just don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen? Well, I’ve got the perfect solution for you: Lazy Day Lasagna!
This dish is a brilliant and simple twist on traditional lasagna that’ll satisfy your cravings without all the fuss. Lazy day lasagna is all about making things easy and still having a great meal to enjoy.
Think of this Lazy Lasagna recipe as a shortcut to yumminess. It’s a snazzy way of saying ravioli casserole, and oh boy, is it good!
I love having quick and easy meals like this that still bring on the great flavor that we all love. Lasagna is probably my family’s favorite comfort food, and this recipe makes it simpler.
Using frozen ravioli, some tasty meat sauce, and a few other simple ingredients, this lasagna comes together in no time.
It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a quick and easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love. Plus, it’s so fun to make!
Whether you’re feeling a bit lazy or just short on time, this lasagna won’t let you down. It’s got all the flavors of a classic lasagna but is much simpler to put together.
So, let’s dive into why this recipe for lazy day lasagna is a keeper and how you can whip up this delicious meal with minimal effort!
Some of our other favorite dinner recipes we have on our site include: Creamy One Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe, Greek Chicken Bowls Recipe with Tzatziki, and Best & Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Super Easy to Make: No need for layering traditional lasagna noodles – it’s as easy peasy as layering ravioli.
- Family Favorite: Everyone loves the familiar flavors of lasagna, making it a hit with the entire family. It’s one of those easy dinner recipes you can make again and again.
- Great for Leftovers: Tastes just as good, if not better, the next day! Make sure you save that recipe card for later. You’re gonna need it!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Frozen ravioli
- Meat sauce or jarred sauce
- Ricotta cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
HOW TO MAKE LAZY DAY LASAGNA:
- Cook the ravioli through to the directions on the package.
- While they are cooking, heat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Mix the sauce with the ricotta so it is combined in a large bowl.
- Put about a half cup of the sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish and spread it out.
- Layer on a single layer of ravioli. Top with some of the mozzarella cheese, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and another 1/2 cup of sauce.
- Keep doing this until you have layered all the ravioli. Try to only use a half of the mozzarella cheese while layering. On the very top, there should be the layer with the remaining sauce and top that with all of the mozzarella that is left.
- Cook this for about 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT RAVIOLI IS THE BEST TO USE?
I used cheese ravioli, and that really works great. You can use any type you like, though, such as spinach or meat-filled.
Next time you make it, try out another variety. The last thing you want is to be boring with your meals! Am I right?
CAN I ADD MEAT?
Absolutely! You can add browned ground beef or Italian sausage to the sauce for extra flavor.
A lot of the time, I like to use a store-bought meat sauce, other times I’ll purchase a non-meat sauce and add my own. This is totally up to your preference.
For my family, it’s always a good idea to add more meat. Jeremy and Lily both agree on this one. When it’s dinner time, bring on the delicious meat sauce!
CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD?
Yes, you can assemble this easy recipe ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready.
Just remember to adjust the cook time a little bit if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Other than ground meat, there are plenty of great ideas here. Check it out!
- Spinach or kale for a veggie boost
- A layer of cooked Italian sausage or ground turkey
- Chopped onion or bell pepper for extra crunch
- Fresh basil leaves for a burst of freshness
- Sliced mushrooms for an earthy flavor
- A sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat
- Olives for a tangy kick
- Sun-dried tomatoes for a sweet, intense flavor
- Extra garlic for garlic lovers
- A layer of cottage cheese or ricotta for creaminess
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
If you have any other suggestions on substitutions, I’d love to hear about them. Let me know in the comments below!
- Cottage cheese for ricotta
- Alfredo sauce instead of tomato sauce
- Gluten-free ravioli for a gluten-free version
- Whole wheat ravioli for a healthier twist
- Homemade marinara sauce for jarred sauce
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavor only gets better with a day or two!
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave. It makes a really great take along lunch for my hubby!
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Use cooking spray on your baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Let the lasagna rest for a few minutes after baking for easier serving.
- If you want a crispier top, broil for a minute or two at the end.
- Mix a little Italian seasoning into your sauce for extra flavor.
- Use a mix of different cheeses for a more complex flavor.
- For a lighter version, use a smaller amount of cheese and add more veggies.
Lazy Day Lasagna is a cozy, comforting dish that brings joy to your dinner table. It’s perfect for those lazy days when you want something hearty and delicious without the hassle.
Heaven knows I have plenty of days like that around here!
With its layers of ravioli, rich sauce, and melty cheese, it’s a surefire way to please everyone. So why not give this easy lasagna recipe a try and enjoy the perfect family meal with very little effort?
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this LAZY DAY LASAGNA, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Easy Lazy Day Lasagna Recipe (with Ravioli)
Ingredients
- 20 ounces frozen cheese ravioli or frozen ravioli of your choice
- 3 cups meat sauce or red sauce of your choice
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the ravioli through to the directions on the package.20 ounces frozen cheese ravioli
- While they are cooking, heat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Mix the sauce with the ricotta so it is combined in a large bowl.3 cups meat sauce, 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- Put about a half cup of the sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish and spread it out.
- Layer on a single layer of ravioli. Top with some of the mozzarella cheese, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and another 1/2 cup of sauce.2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Keep doing this until you have layered all the ravioli. Try to only use a half of the mozzarella cheese while layering. On the very top, there should be the layer with the remaining sauce and top that with all of the mozzarella that is left.
- Cook this for about 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving with parmesan for garnish.parmesan cheese for garnish
Notes
- Use cooking spray on your baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Let the lasagna rest for a few minutes after baking for easier serving.
- If you want a crispier top, broil for a minute or two at the end.
- Mix a little Italian seasoning into your sauce for extra flavor.
- Use a mix of different cheeses for a more complex flavor.
- For a lighter version, use a smaller amount of cheese and add more veggies.
Nutrition
Originally posted Oct. 2013, Updated Jan. 2024
Comments & Reviews
Ruth @ Living Well Spending Less says
I am a huge lasagna fan and so is my family. We could eat lasagna for days and be absolutely content. 😉 This looks so, so, so good. Thanks for sharing this recipe, I will have to try it. Thank you for linking up to Thrifty Thursday.
Emily @ Simple Life Of A Fire Wife says
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing at Share Your Stuff Tuesdays!
Natasha @ Epic Mommy Adventures says
Love this recipe! I have never thought about putting ravioli in my lasagna, but it’s an excellent idea! Thanks so much for sharing on Turn It Up Tuesdays! We love having you! 🙂
Sara Howe says
I wanted to stop by and let you know you are being featured over at Feed Me Friday!
Kathy Penney @ Sparkles And A Stove says
This looks like something my family would love! Pinning! Thanks for sharing at All Things Pretty!
Leslie Lambert says
Congratulations…this post is featured on Create It Thursday #24! Thanks for linking up such a fabulous idea last week!
Rhonda says
I love the look of your blog site…and title! Too cute! Great name for the recipe!
Krista Low says
What a fabulous idea! I love it. Sometimes Lasagna sounds so good but I don’t want to deal with the noodles and layering. This makes it all easy! Love it!
Saluni Joy says
Your photos made me feel like I was sitting in your lap — crushing you What a fabulous idea! I love the look of your blog site…and title! Too cute! Great name for the recipe!I have never thought about putting ravioli in my Lasagna, but it’s an excellent tasty! Thanks so much for sharing on Turn It Up Saturday! We love having you!
denise says
is it necessary to cook ravioli’s? Found another ravioli lasagne recipe which ravioli’s weren’t pre-cooked?
Dana DeVolk says
I never tried it that way so I can’t tell you for sure how it will come out. If you try it and it works, I’m sure we would all love to know! Thanks for asking.
SwashB says
By using store bought fresh ravioli you can eliminate the pro-cooking step. Mix sauce, layer in pan, and bake – the lazy recipe just got lazier.
Angelina says
It’s an interesting concept, but what are the frozen Ravioli which you’re using stuffed with (you didn’t specify),…. more cheese? This would be a good idea, if I could find frozen ravioli stuffed w/spinach, NOT more cheese! What’s the Nutritional Info of this recipe, especially the .Fat and the Sodium content? Sometimes ‘the lazy way’ isn’t the best way to go.
Dana DeVolk says
You’re very right. I didn’t specify which type of ravioli so anyone can use whichever ravioli they prefer. And, yes, I used cheese ravioli myself because that’s what I like. This is just an option for busy families, or anyone who needs a quick meal option. Not everyone has to make it.