Pioneer Woman's Easy Lasagna
A foolproof lasagna with tender beef, rich tomato sauce, and gooey cheese layers, perfect for beginners. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 70 minutes pairs ground beef, lasagna noodles, tomato sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 8, 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 12 sheets lasagna noodles
- 4 cups tomato sauce
- 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil lasagna noodles according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing 3-4 minutes until softened. Add ground beef, breaking into small pieces, and cook 8-10 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Stir in tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and 1/2 cup water. Simmer 15 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of sauce as a base. Layer 1/3 of the noodles, 1/3 of the meat sauce, 1/3 of the mozzarella, and 1/4 of the Parmesan. Repeat layers twice, finishing with a final layer of sauce and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pioneer Woman's Easy Lasagna take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 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 Pioneer Woman's Easy Lasagna?
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 Pioneer Woman's Easy Lasagna?
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 Pioneer Woman's Easy Lasagna for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Pioneer Woman's Easy Lasagna?
Italian pasta 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
