Easiest Lasagna Recipe for a Crowd

This lasagna recipe is an easy way to whip up a delicious dinner for a crowd.

 

While making lasagna is actually easier than it might look, sometimes you just want a recipe that calls for a "jar of this, a slice of that, and a package of something else." That way, you can pull together whatever you have in your pantry to make a satisfying meal at the last minute. 

This recipe for lasagna is just perfect for last minute dinners. You probably keep most of the ingredients in your pantry and fridge. The only last minute items you might need are ricotta cheese and Italian turkey sausage. 

Ingredients you will need for this Easiest Lasagna for a Crowd:

Jarred Marinara Sauce: 

You will need two 24 ounce jars of marinara sauce. I used Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce. It's super fresh tasting, highly rated, and it has no added sugar. It's the best jarred sauce out there. 

No Boil Lasagna Noodles: 

You will need about 15 noodles. My favorite brand is Barilla. 

Cheeses:

For the filling, you will need a 15 ounce container of whole milk ricotta cheese. For the layers, you will also need a combination of pre-sliced mozzarella and provolone cheese. If you already have wedges of these cheeses, feel free to grate them yourself. 

You will also need some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. 

Herbs:

Use dried Italian seasoning or a combination of dried basil and dried oregano to mix into the ricotta, along with an egg to bind it all together. 

Turkey Sausage:

You can use mild, sweet, or hot Italian turkey sausage. They typically come in 19 ounce packages. I used the hot Italian version and cooked it after removing it from the casings. You can also substitute pork Italian sausage, which typically comes in the same size packaging. 

How to Prepare this Easy Lasagna:

First, brown the sausage in a skillet for about ten minutes, until just cooked through. If it's slightly undercooked, it will be okay because it will continue to cook while the lasagna is baking. 

While the sausage is cooking, combine the ricotta, egg, and herbs in a bowl. 

Next, layer the sauce, noodles, ricotta, sausage, and cheeses three times, topping everything with shredded Parmesan. 

Cover everything with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. Uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes. 

Finally, let everything rest for 15 minutes before slicing. 

Make Ahead Tips:

You can assemble this lasagna in advance and refrigerate it before baking. If you do, just allow the assembled lasagna to rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before baking. 

If you have leftovers, you can reheat them in the microwave. You can also cut the leftover lasagna into individual servings and freese them, wrapped in plastic, for later. Just thaw them and then reheat in the microwave. 

Make this lasagna in a 9 by 13 inch baking pan. You can use a standard glass Pyrex dish or metal cake pan, but I love using a deeper pan for making lasagna to accommodate all of the layers. 

I've have a ceramic pan as well as an enameled cast iron pan. I love them both. The cast iron pan holds the heat, which makes it perfect for keeping everything hot for a dinner party, however, the cast iron pan is super heavy, so, if you're taking the lasagna to a potluck, you might want to consider a ceramic pan. 

If you enjoy this recipe for lasagna, you might also be interested in these lasagna recipes:

Barefoot Contessa's Lasagna

Lasagna Bolognese

Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

Lasagna for Two

Mexican Chicken Lasagna

Easiest Lasagna Recipe for a Crowd

Yield: 12 servings

Author: Karen's Kitchen Stories

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 1 HourInactive time: 15 MinTotal time: 1 H & 30 M

This lasagna recipe is an easy way to whip up a delicious dinner for a crowd.

Ingredients

• 1 19-ounce package hot or sweet Italian turkey sausage
• 14 ounces of full fat ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• 2 24-ounce jars marinara sauce
• 15 individual no-boil lasagna noodles
• 3/4 pound full fat mozzarella cheese slices
• 3/4 pound sliced provolone cheese slices
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Heat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a 12-inch skillet, cook the sausage for about 10 minutes, until browned.
3. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, egg, and Italian seasoning.
4. Pour 1/3 of the marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9 inch by 13 inch baking pan. Layer 5 of the lasagna noodles over the sauce.
5. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the sausage mixture.
6. Top with 1/3 of the mozzarella and provolone slices (8 ounces total combined).
7. Repeat two more times with the sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, sausage, and cheeses. Top everything with the grated Parmesan.
8. Cover the casserole dish with foil that has been sprayed with spray oil. Bake the lasagna for 30 minutes covered. Remove the foil and bake for 30 minutes more. Remove from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes. Slice and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

469.44

Fat (grams)

29.70

Sat. Fat (grams)

15.34

Carbs (grams)

14.71

Fiber (grams)

2.53

Net carbs

12.19

Sugar (grams)

7.13

Protein (grams)

34.83

Sodium (milligrams)

1530.79

Cholesterol (grams)

130.16

https://www.karenskitchenstories.com/2022/02/easiest-lasagna-recipe-for-crowd.html

Karen's Kitchen Stories

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Welcome to Potluck Party #2 (February 2022)

• Easiest Lasagna Recipe for a Crowd from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Mushroom Lo Mein from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Ram Ladoo from Magical Ingredients
• Surti Undhiyu from Sneha’s Recipe
• Tapita Fría Mar y Huerta from Patyco Candy Bar
• Vegetable Quesadillas from Palatable Pastime