Learn how to make my friend’s so incredibly amazing lasagna today. It is full of spice, flavor and uses short cuts like jarred pasta sauce and foregoing cooking the noodles. Even though there are a ton of shortcuts making this a fast meal, it’s full of flavor! I nicknamed it Mary’s Deliciously Easy Lasagna because it is just that.

Once, I had a friend named Mary that was amazing. She was a country girl through and through and just so much fun to be around. She gave me this recipe years ago.

Sadly, she passed away to cancer and because of her illness, actually saved me from the same fate when I had symptoms a few years later. Mine was caught in time and I had to become more mindful of my diet. Even though this meal isn’t the healthiest, I still make it from time to time as it’s that delicious.

Her original recipe was 1 jar of spaghetti sauce, 1 package (2 cups) of mozzarella cheese, 1 pound of hamburger or sausage and uncooked noodles. You would layer the noodles, then sauce, and cheese and bake.

Since then, I’ve added a bit more but will always refer to it as Mary’s Deliciously Easy Lasagna. Every time I make it, I like to think of her smile and her laugh and her country drawl. It’s a wonderful way to remember a friend that’s long since past.

My recommendation is to read over the recipe and decide if you want to modify it. Somedays, I just us mozzarella, other times, I put pretty much every type of cheese I can think of, it’s all about your tastes and preference. If you like this recipe, try this pasta bake. It’s even easier and just as tasty! Happy baking!

Mary’s Lasagna Casserole

A quick, easy meal as you don't boil the noodles ahead of time.  The pasta ends up having a nice al dente texture as opposed to overcooked soggy noodles often found in store bought lasagna.  

Print Recipe

Prep Time15 minutes minutes

Cook Time1 hour hour

Total Time1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings15

Calories 248.7

Ingredients

• 2 jars (48oz) pasta sauce
• 1 pound (16oz) ground beef or sausage
• 2 cups (16oz) mozzarella cheese
• ¾ box (12oz) lasagna noodles
• 1 cup (8oz) ricotta cheese
• 1 – 3 tsp (1 – 3g) red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp (2g) Italian seasoning blend
• 1 tsp (2g) minced garlic

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F (180C.)
• In a large skillet, brown meat.  Remove from heat, drain on a paper towel for several minutes to remove excess grease.
• Spray a 9×13 (13x23cm) dish lightly with non-stick spray or coat with oil.
• Add sauce, ricotta, meat and spices in a bowl and stir to combine.  (You can use the blender and pulse them together for a finer texture.)
• Spread 1/4 of the sauce evenly onto the bottom of the pan.  Add a thin layer of cheese. Top with uncooked pasta. Repeat until you have three layers. Top the last layer of pasta with the remaining sauce and cheese.
• Cover with aluminum foil.  Bake for 45 minutes.  Carefully remove foil and bake an additional 15 – 30 minutes or until top is bubbling and the edges are lightly toasted. Let cool 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

This can be made in an 8″ (20cm) casserole dish.  Simply divide the recipe in half.

Nutrition Facts

Mary's Lasagna Casserole

Amount per Serving

Calories

248.7

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

14.3

g

22

%

Saturated Fat

 

5.3

g

33

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

0.3

g

Sodium

 

650.8

mg

28

%

Carbohydrates

 

19.6

g

7

%

Fiber

 

3.4

g

14

%

Protein

 

13.7

g

27

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

* Calories provided as a courtesy and not guaranteed.