Easy Lasagna Recipe with Ricotta (Oven or Crock Pot)

This easy lasagna recipe with ricotta is the lasagna I grew up eating, and it’s still one of my favorite meals to make for my family. Ground beef, jarred marinara, a creamy ricotta filling, and plenty of melted cheese make it a comforting dinner worth repeating.

I love it for Christmas dinner, family gatherings, and nights when I want something familiar and filling. You can assemble the oven version ahead of time, or use the crock pot variation below.

Why I Keep Making This Lasagna

• Jarred sauce keeps it simple. You don’t need to spend an afternoon making homemade marinara.
• The ricotta filling is creamy and cheesy. Ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, and basil come together in one bowl.
• It works for family dinners and holidays. Serve it with a salad and garlic bread for a meal everyone can gather around.
• There are two cooking options. Bake it in the oven or make a two-layer version in the crock pot.

Ingredients for Easy Lasagna with Ricotta

The full measurements are in the recipe card below.

Ground beef: Seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Lasagna noodles: I use Jovial gluten-free lasagna noodles for the oven version. Prepare your noodles according to the package directions before layering.

Ricotta cheese: The base of the creamy cheese filling.

Mozzarella and Parmesan: Mixed into the filling, with additional mozzarella on top.

Eggs: Help the ricotta filling hold together.

Dried basil: Adds flavor to the cheese mixture.

Marinara sauce: Your favorite jarred sauce keeps this recipe practical and easy.

How to Make Lasagna in the Oven

1. Prepare the Beef and Noodles

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Brown the ground beef in a skillet and season it with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Drain excess grease.

Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions.

2. Mix the Ricotta Filling

Combine the ricotta, mozzarella reserved for the filling, Parmesan, eggs, and dried basil in a bowl.

3. Layer the Lasagna

Spread marinara sauce across the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

Add a layer of noodles, followed by half the ricotta mixture, half the beef, and more sauce. Repeat those layers, then finish with a final layer of noodles, the remaining sauce, and mozzarella.

Spread sauce over the noodles, including the edges, so they don’t dry out while baking.

4. Bake and Rest

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil add the remaining cheese + more if you like and bake for another 10 minutes. If you want a more golden top, broil briefly, watching closely.

Let the lasagna rest for about 10 minutes before slicing so the layers have time to settle.

Crock Pot Lasagna Variation

For the crock pot version, use two layers of noodles instead of the three noodle layers in the oven version.

Brown and season the ground beef, then prepare the ricotta filling. Spread sauce on the bottom of the crock pot and layer the noodles, ricotta mixture, beef, and sauce, dividing the filling between the two layers. Finish with sauce and mozzarella, keeping the noodles covered with sauce.

Cover and cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the noodles are tender.

Noodle preparation: Cook the noodles according to the package directions for the oven version. For the crock pot version, use uncooked noodles and only two noodle layers. No boiling required.

Gluten-free noodle tip: Gluten-free noodles may need a little less time. Start checking before the three-hour mark and stop cooking when the noodles are tender.

Make-Ahead Lasagna for Holiday Dinners

For the oven version, assemble the lasagna the day before, cover it, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.

A refrigerated lasagna may need additional baking time. Keep it covered while it heats through, then uncover it toward the end to melt and brown the cheese.

This is one reason I love lasagna for holiday meals: the assembly is finished before guests arrive.

Tips for the Best Results

• Use a marinara you enjoy. It contributes a lot of the flavor.
• Cover the noodles with sauce. Exposed edges can become dry.
• Watch the broiler closely. The cheese can brown quickly.
• Let the baked lasagna rest before slicing. It will be easier to serve.
• Check gluten-free noodles early in the crock pot. Cooking time can vary with the noodles and your slow cooker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use jarred sauce for lasagna?

Yes! This recipe uses jarred marinara to keep preparation simple. Choose one you already enjoy.

Can I make this lasagna with gluten-free noodles?

Yes. I use Jovial gluten-free lasagna noodles for the oven version. Follow the package directions when preparing them. For the crock pot variation, check the noodles early because they may need less cooking time.

Can I make lasagna ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the oven version the day before, cover, and refrigerate. Allow additional baking time if it goes into the oven cold.

Can I make this lasagna in the crock pot?

Yes. The crock pot variation uses two layers of noodles and cooks on HIGH for 3–4 hours. See the directions above, including the note about gluten-free noodles.

More Easy Family Dinners

If you enjoy these flavors, try my slow cooker lasagna soup.

For more dinner ideas using ground beef, browse my affordable ground beef recipes.

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