Short Description
Sheet Pan Lasagna is a modern twist on the classic Italian favorite, offering all the traditional flavors of lasagna—savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, melty cheese, and tender noodles—baked on a sheet pan for maximum ease and crispiness. This method simplifies assembly and speeds up cooking, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No need for intricate layering—ingredients are spread out and baked together.
- Quicker and easier than traditional lasagna.
- Offers more crispy edges and caramelized cheese per portion.
- Simple to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd.
- Easily adaptable to suit various dietary preferences.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Lasagna noodles, broken into smaller pieces
- Ground beef
- Italian sausage
- Yellow onion, finely chopped
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Marinara sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
- Ricotta cheese
- Frozen spinach, thawed and well-drained
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Parmesan cheese, grated
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and lightly grease a rimmed sheet pan.
- Cook the broken lasagna noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the chopped onion and garlic until soft.
- Add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese with thawed and drained spinach. Season with salt and pepper.
- On the prepared sheet pan, evenly spread the cooked noodles. Top with the meat sauce.
- Drop spoonfuls of the ricotta-spinach mixture over the sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Variations
- Vegetarian Version: Omit the meat and add sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers.
- Spicy Option: Use hot Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper to the sauce.
- Cheese Blend: Add provolone or fontina for extra cheesy flavor.
- Herb Twist: Stir fresh basil or parsley into the ricotta mixture.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Wrap portions in foil and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through, about 15–20 minutes. Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
What size sheet pan should I use?
A standard half-sheet pan (about 18×13 inches) works best for this recipe.
Can I use oven-ready noodles?
Yes, but it’s best to soak them in hot water for 10 minutes before using to ensure they soften properly.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Yes, assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance, cover it, and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
How can I prevent the lasagna from drying out?
Ensure there’s enough sauce and don’t overbake. You can also cover the lasagna with foil for the first 20 minutes of baking.
Can I substitute the ricotta cheese?
Cottage cheese can be used as a substitute, though the texture will be slightly different.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free lasagna noodles and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
How can I get extra crispy edges?
Bake uncovered for the last 10 minutes and broil briefly if desired, watching closely.
Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely. Sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant work well.
Can this be frozen after baking?
Yes, let it cool completely, then wrap tightly before freezing. Reheat in the oven after thawing.
How do I serve this for a party?
Let it cool slightly after baking, then cut into squares for easy serving directly from the pan.
Conclusion
Sheet Pan Lasagna is a simplified, flavorful version of the traditional dish that offers all the comforts of classic lasagna with less hassle. Perfectly suited for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd, it’s a delicious way to enjoy a timeless favorite in a modern format.
Print
Sheet Pan Lasagna
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
Description
A quick and easy twist on traditional lasagna, made on a sheet pan for crispy edges and faster cooking. Ideal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 9–12 no-boil lasagna noodles
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on a greased sheet pan.
- Place a layer of no-boil lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread some ricotta cheese, meat sauce, and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Repeat layers (noodles, ricotta, sauce, cheeses) until ingredients are used up, ending with cheese on top.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- Make sure to use no-boil noodles for this recipe to ensure proper texture.
- Add chopped spinach or mushrooms for extra vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
vtcynf