One-Pot Lazy Lasagna with Ground Beef and Ricotta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting one-pot lasagna that layers ground beef, ricotta, noodles, and marinara for an easy dinner without the fuss of traditional layering. This italian-inspired kid friendly ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef, ricotta cheese, marinara sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and 2 cloves minced garlic, cooking for 6-7 minutes until beef is browned and garlic is fragrant. Drain excess fat.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 3 cups marinara sauce, 2 cups water, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried oregano, bringing mixture to a simmer.
  3. Step 3: Add 8 broken lasagna noodles to the skillet, submerging them in the sauce. Cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until noodles are tender.
  4. Step 4: Dollop 1 cup ricotta cheese over the noodle mixture and gently stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, cover again, and let sit off heat for 5 minutes until cheese melts. Serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Lazy Lasagna with Ground Beef and Ricotta take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover One-Pot Lazy Lasagna with Ground Beef and Ricotta?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lazy Lasagna with Ground Beef and Ricotta?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale One-Pot Lazy Lasagna with Ground Beef and Ricotta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with One-Pot Lazy Lasagna with Ground Beef and Ricotta?

Italian kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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