Easy One Pot Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights! This easy lasagna recipe has all the classic flavors of traditional lasagna—seasoned ground beef, rich pasta sauce, tender lasagna noodles, creamy ricotta, Parmesan, and melty mozzarella—but it all comes together in one pot.
There’s no need to boil the lasagna noodles separately or layer everything in a casserole dish. Simply brown the beef, add your sauce and broth, stir in the cheesy ricotta mixture, and cook the noodles right in the same pot. It’s an easy dinner with minimal cleanup, making it perfect for busy families and those nights when you need something hearty without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This One Pot Lasagna
There are so many reasons this easy one pot lasagna deserves a spot in your weeknight dinner rotation!
- One pot means easy cleanup. Everything cooks together in one large pot.
- No boiling noodles separately. The uncooked lasagna noodles cook right in the sauce.
- Ready in about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- Family-friendly. It’s classic, cheesy comfort food that both kids and adults love.
- Creamy and cheesy. Ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella give this lasagna all the cheesy goodness you expect.
- Easy to customize. Add vegetables, swap the meat, or use your favorite pasta sauce.
What Is One Pot Lasagna?
One pot lasagna is a simplified version of traditional lasagna. Instead of layering noodles, meat sauce, and cheese in a baking dish and cooking everything in the oven, the ingredients are cooked together on the stovetop.
The lasagna noodles are added directly to the sauce and cook as the entire dish simmers. The result is tender noodles coated in a rich, cheesy sauce without all of the work that comes with traditional lasagna.
It’s basically lasagna made easy!
Ingredients
- Ground Beef– Ground beef gives the lasagna a hearty, classic flavor and makes this a filling dinner for the whole family.
- Yellow Onion– Diced yellow onion adds flavor and a little sweetness to the meat sauce.
- Garlic– A tablespoon of minced garlic adds even more flavor.
- Seasonings– A simple combination of dried basil, onion salt, and dried oregano gives the sauce that classic Italian-inspired flavor without requiring a long list of spices.
- Lasagna Noodles– The best part about this recipe is that you use uncooked lasagna noodles! They go directly into the pot and cook in the sauce.
- Chicken Broth– Chicken broth provides the additional liquid needed to cook the lasagna noodles while adding flavor to the sauce.
- Pasta Sauce– Use your favorite jarred pasta sauce. Marinara, traditional pasta sauce, or a tomato basil sauce would all work.
- Ricotta, Parmesan & Cottage Cheese– This combination creates a creamy, cheesy mixture throughout the lasagna. The cottage cheese is optional, so if your family isn’t a fan, simply leave it out and use the ricotta and Parmesan.
- Mozzarella Cheese– The final layer of shredded mozzarella melts over the top of the lasagna for that gooey, cheesy finish we all love.
How to Make One Pot Lasagna
Step 1: Cook the Onion and Garlic
Start by heating the extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic.
Cook for a couple of minutes until the onion begins to soften and everything becomes fragrant.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking the beef apart with a spatula as it cooks.
Continue cooking until the beef is browned and cooked through.
Step 3: Add the Sauce, Broth and Seasonings
Once the beef is cooked, add the pasta sauce, chicken broth, dried basil, onion salt, and dried oregano.
Stir everything together and allow it to cook for another 5 minutes so the flavors can begin to come together.
Step 4: Make the Cheesy Mixture
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, cottage cheese if you’re using it, and Parmesan cheese.
Add the cheese mixture to the sauce and stir everything together until well combined.
Turn the heat up and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Step 5: Add the Lasagna Noodles
Once the sauce is simmering, add the uncooked lasagna noodles directly to the pot.
Place them into the sauce on their sides, breaking them into smaller pieces if necessary. Make sure the noodles are pushed down into the sauce as much as possible.
Cover the pot with a lid and cook for about 10 minutes.
Step 6: Finish With Mozzarella
After 10 minutes, remove the lid and check the noodles.
Press the noodles down into the sauce and allow them to continue cooking until they’re tender and al dente.
Once the noodles are cooked, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top. Cover the pot again and let it sit for a few minutes until the mozzarella is completely melted.
Serve warm with garlic bread and your favorite salad!
Tips
Use a large pot. You’ll want plenty of room for the sauce and noodles to cook without everything spilling over.
Don’t worry about perfect noodle placement. This isn’t traditional layered lasagna! Break the noodles as needed so they fit into your pot.
Keep an eye on the noodles. Different brands and thicknesses of lasagna noodles can take slightly different amounts of time to cook.
Make sure the noodles are covered with sauce. This helps them soften and cook properly.
Don’t skip the lid. Covering the pot helps trap the steam and allows the noodles to cook.
Let it rest before serving. Giving the lasagna a few minutes to sit after adding the mozzarella allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the cheese to set.
Easy Substitutions
- Ground turkey: Substitute ground turkey for the ground beef for a lighter option.
- Italian sausage: Use mild or spicy Italian sausage for even more flavor.
- Cottage cheese: Don’t like cottage cheese? Leave it out and use additional ricotta instead.
- Cheese: Try adding provolone, Romano, or a little extra Parmesan.
- Vegetables: Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, or chopped carrots.
- Sauce: Use marinara, tomato basil, roasted garlic, or your favorite spaghetti sauce.
Can I Add Vegetables?
Absolutely! One pot lasagna is a great way to sneak some extra vegetables into dinner.
Try adding:
- Diced bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Spinach
- Shredded carrots
- Diced tomatoes
For heartier vegetables like carrots or peppers, sauté them with the onion and garlic before adding the ground beef.
What to Serve With One Pot Lasagna
This lasagna is hearty enough to be a complete meal, but I love serving it with a few simple sides.
- Garlic bread: Perfect for soaking up all that delicious sauce.
- Green salad: A crisp salad balances out the richness of the lasagna.
- Caesar salad: A creamy Caesar salad is another delicious pairing.
- Roasted vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, or green beans make an easy side dish.
How to Store Leftover Lasagna
Allow the lasagna to cool before transferring leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
This is also a great meal to make ahead because the leftovers reheat beautifully.
How to Reheat One Pot Lasagna
Reheat individual portions in the microwave until heated through.
If the lasagna has become thick in the refrigerator, add a small splash of water or broth before reheating to loosen up the sauce.
You can also reheat it gently on the stovetop over low heat.
Can You Freeze One Pot Lasagna?
Yes! Allow the lasagna to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container.
Freeze for up to 2–3 months for the best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use regular lasagna noodles?
Yes! Regular uncooked lasagna noodles work in this recipe. You’ll simply break them into smaller pieces if needed so they fit comfortably in the pot.
Do I have to boil the lasagna noodles first?
No! That’s one of the best things about this recipe. The uncooked noodles cook directly in the sauce and broth.
Can I make this without ricotta?
Yes. If you don’t like ricotta, you can leave it out and increase the amount of another cheese, such as cottage cheese or Parmesan.
Why are my lasagna noodles still hard?
The noodles need enough liquid and heat to soften. Make sure they’re pressed down into the sauce and covered while cooking. If they need additional time, continue simmering until they reach your desired texture.
Can I make this with Italian sausage?
Absolutely. Italian sausage is a delicious substitute for ground beef and will give the lasagna even more flavor.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! One pot lasagna is a great make-ahead dinner. Store it in the refrigerator and reheat individual portions when you’re ready to eat.
One Pot Lasagna
Ingredients
Method
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic.
- Add the ground beef to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
- Once the ground beef has cooked add the pasta sauce, chicken broth and seasonings. Stir together and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Mix the ricotta, cottage cheese (if using) and Parmesan together and place in the sauce. Stir and mix well. Turn the heat up to a simmer. Once the mixture is simmering, add the lasagna noodles in, on their sides, breaking them if you need to. Place a lid on top and let cook for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, take the lid off and check the noodles, pressing them into the sauce and let them soften until they’re al dente. Add your mozzarella cheese on top cover with the lid until melted.
- Serve with garlic bread and your favorite salad.