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I have spent this last week visiting my (big) baby boy in Tennessee. I don’t care whether your kid is 8 or 28, making sure they are eating enough good food and getting enough rest is something we moms obsess over. My son told me the other day that I worry more about how much he sleeps than he does. There is some truth in that. On the food front, I am making sure that he is eating right by loading him up with freezer meals. This Lasagna Freezer Meal Recipe is one of his faves!
By the time I am done, he should have a months worth of food in his freezer. I’m secretly hoping that he’ll want me me come stay with him for a week every month after this.
For the most part, I have been making his favorite dishes from childhood which started off with this lasagna freezer meal.
More Freezer Recipes You Might Like:
Freezer Mashed Potatoes
5 Healthy Slow Cooker Freezer Meals
Freezer Friendly Shepherd’s Pie
Baked Spaghetti Freezer Meal
I used to make my own sauce for lasagna. I have since discovered that some of the stuff that comes in a jar is (almost) just as good as my own, and saves me a whole heck of a lot of time. I used jar sauce for this recipe.
You’re welcome.
Easy Lasagna Freezer Meal Recipe
Recipe yields 4 to 5 (8 inch) square aluminum pans. A perfect meal for 2 or 3 people.
Ingredients:
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage
2 (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
15 no-boil lasagna noodles (1-2 packages should be good.)
2 (15 ounce) containers Ricotta
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
5-6 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Directions:
In a large saucepan or pot, combine ground beef, sausage, onion, salt and garlic powder. Cook on medium-high heat until browned, crumbled and cooked through. Drain off any excess fat. Add marinara sauce, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Meanwhile, in a medium size bowl combine the ricotta, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Stir to combine.
Lightly spray pans with cooking spray. For each pan of lasagna, spread a little sauce into the bottom of each pan. Top with a layer of 2 lasagna noodles. Spoon more sauce over the noodles. Top with dollops of the ricotta cheese mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Repeat.
Bake (thawed) lasagna, covered in foil, on 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking an additional 15 minutes. Enjoy!
Related Recipe: Lasagna Soup
Pro tip: I used 8 inch square foil pans which are perfect for 2-3 people. My son can enjoy these with a friend or have leftovers for lunch the next day. He could maybe even share these meals with a future daughter-in-law? Just kidding. I’m not rushing him. Really.
This recipe yields 4 to 5 (8 inch) square baking pans. One to eat and four to enjoy later.
Note: I want to mention that the no-bake lasagna noodles fit perfectly into these square pans. Each layer takes 2 of the no-bake noodles.
Freezer Preparation
To prepare the lasagna for the freezer, allow the lasagnas to cool completely. You don’t want to put something warm into your freezer. First cover in aluminum foil. Repeat with a second layer of foil. Next, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and repeat. I like to write the heating instructions onto a sheet of paper and slip it in-between the layers of plastic wrap.
Also, be sure to write what the dish is… something that I totally forgot to do. He’ll have a surprise!
It’s so nice to have something like this on hand for those days that you just don’t have time to cook. Just pop it out of the freezer, allow it to thaw in the fridge, and bake.
Easy Lasagna Freezer Meal Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 2 (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 15 no-boil lasagna noodles (1-2 packages should be good.)
- 2 (15 ounce) containers Ricotta
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 5-6 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
In a large saucepan or pot, combine ground beef, sausage, onion, salt and garlic powder. Cook on medium-high heat until browned, crumbled and cooked through. Drain off any excess fat. Add marinara sauce, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Meanwhile, in a medium size bowl combine the ricotta, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Stir to combine.
Lightly spray pans with cooking spray. For each pan of lasagna, spread a little sauce into the bottom of each pan. Top with a layer of 2 lasagna noodles. Spoon more sauce over the noodles. Top with dollops of the ricotta cheese mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Repeat.
Bake (thawed) lasagna, covered in foil, on 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking an additional 15 minutes. Enjoy!
If you like this recipe, please PIN IT and share it with friends!
What are your favorite freezer meals? This recipe for Italian Sausage, Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells is another that I recommend!
Mary O'Malley (The O'Malley Review) says
January 29, 2015 at 3:13 AMThank you for sharing this! I’ve been looking for an easy lasagna recipe. I bet this would be delicious. Do you suppose I could put some sliced bell peppers in there as well?
Angela says
January 29, 2015 at 8:39 AMYou’re welcome. Yes, totally add the sliced peppers. I bet that would be great!
Susan says
May 10, 2015 at 9:05 AMI was just reading your Easy Freezer Lasagna recipe and am not sure if these are to be baked and then frozen or if you can just put them in the freezer after they are assembled. I don’t do many recipes ahead of time and wasn’t sure.
Angela says
May 10, 2015 at 9:37 AMHi Susan! There is no need to bake then first. Just assemble, freeze and then bake!
Mary says
September 26, 2016 at 10:45 AMHow long will lasagna stay good for? in your freezer for
Angela says
September 26, 2016 at 2:21 PMYou can safely freeze for up to 2 months.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
January 29, 2015 at 7:24 AMI love the idea of making it and freezing it. My mom always did that when I was growing up.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
January 29, 2015 at 1:06 PMI so need to do freezer meals. This looks like a great recipe, love lasagna!
Denise says
January 29, 2015 at 2:48 PMDo you bake these covered with foil?
Angela says
January 29, 2015 at 2:53 PMI keep the foil on until the last 15 minutes. Thanks for asking! I just updated the recipe.
Jeanine says
January 29, 2015 at 3:27 PMYum this looks so good! I made a few of these before giving birth to my last baby… Such a great idea! Especially for busy days, pop it in and eat!
Heather D. (@GirlGoneMom) says
January 29, 2015 at 4:06 PMI make lasagna al the time I should freeze trays too. Love the no boil noodles!
Lois Alter Mark says
January 29, 2015 at 7:13 PMWhat a great idea! We love lasagna and could eat it all the time!
Maureen Campaiola says
January 29, 2015 at 7:31 PMLasagna is a great freezer make ahead dinner idea. You can freeze it for quite awhile and when you bake it you’d never know it was frozen previously.
Lesley says
January 29, 2015 at 8:04 PMI need to do more quick freezer meals like this for my family. It’s nice to have something homemade instead of store bought.
Pam says
January 30, 2015 at 1:01 AMThis is such a great idea for many different situations. I am going to make up some of these for my family and for a family friend. Thanks for this recipe.
celebbabylaundry says
January 30, 2015 at 1:11 AMI love lasagna with a passion, this seems like a great recipe!
Kay Adeola says
January 30, 2015 at 5:17 AMGreat idea I will have to do this for when we are really busy and I do not want to spend the few hours of the evening left cooking.Would be good to do at the weekend ready for the week ahead.
Barbara gruner says
January 31, 2015 at 2:42 AMLove
The Mid-Atlantic Foodie says
February 1, 2015 at 7:21 AMI too used to make my own sauce for lasagna, but like you realized that the bottled stuff works great too. I still pull out my old recipe from time to time. 😉 This recipe looks fab and with all the new babies arriving in the upcoming months, I think I’ll be using it to take these new moms and dads a nice easy dinner. They’ll be busy enough. 😉
ellen beck says
February 5, 2015 at 5:06 AMI actually make these quite a bit. When I make up lasagna I always make up one or two extras to freeze. The family loves them and it makes for a nice meal all it needs to do is heat through and I add more cheese on the top while it bakes.
Michelle @ The Ribbon Retreat says
February 5, 2015 at 11:57 AMI am obsessed with freezer meals right now! I can’t wait to try this one for my family. They LOVE lasagna and so do I. Thank you for sharing! PINNED!
Judy says
February 8, 2015 at 10:33 AMWhere do you find no bake noodles?
Angela says
February 8, 2015 at 3:18 PMHi Judy, they are no-boil noodles. 🙂
Christina @ I Gotta Create! says
February 11, 2015 at 3:18 PMThis looks so yummy! Thanks so much for sharing at the Wildly Original link party!
<3 Christina @ I Gotta Create!
Debra weber says
February 17, 2015 at 9:18 PMsounds yummy! I can’t wait to try it. Would you mind telling me what kind of marinara sauce you used? Thanks
Angela says
February 17, 2015 at 9:23 PMFor this batch I used Classico Sweet Basil sauce.
Shari says
March 2, 2015 at 3:38 PMJust a quick question, is it possible to heat from frozen even if the cooking time is a bit longer?
Angela says
March 2, 2015 at 3:43 PMHi Shari! Yes, you can cook from frozen. Just plan to double your cooking time.
Connie says
March 2, 2015 at 7:31 PMI love this concept! I can better control the salt and ingredients rather than purchasing frozen premade ones.
kymi a says
March 3, 2015 at 1:57 AMGreat idea and so easy do put together. I can’t wait to try this and wow my family. Thank you for sharing.
Bonnie says
April 11, 2015 at 2:00 PMCan anyone tell me how meny noodles for each pan is it just 2 layers for each pan thank you
Angela says
April 11, 2015 at 3:31 PMUsing the shallow square pans, there are 2 layers, each with 2 no-bake noodles. Hope that helps!
Tammy says
March 20, 2018 at 3:51 PMI’m confused, is it No Bake Noodles or No Boil Noodles? In another reply you say No Bake which is it.
Angela says
March 20, 2018 at 3:58 PMI use the no-boil noodles. You can use whichever you prefer, just adjust accordingly. I hope you enjoy!
stacia Larsen says
April 19, 2015 at 12:52 PMThis sounds delicious!
I do have a question though..
do you bake it first then let it cool and freeze it? Or can it be frozen without baking?
Angela says
April 19, 2015 at 1:13 PMI freeze them without baking and they turn out great. One less step!
Kim Haithcock says
April 26, 2015 at 8:31 AMHow long would you cook this and at what time if you decide not to freeze it?
Thanks1
Angela says
April 26, 2015 at 8:48 AMI would stick to close to the same amount of time, since the frozen lasagnas are thawed before cooking.
Kay Sargent says
July 23, 2015 at 10:27 AMwould not let me pin it for future cooking 🙁
Angela says
August 2, 2015 at 6:39 PMSorry to hear that, Kay. Wonder if it might have been a temporary Pinterest glitch?
Sandy says
October 14, 2016 at 9:17 PMWhat if I’m not using the no boil noodles ??
Angela says
October 14, 2016 at 9:24 PMIt should be fine. Just make sure you boil them to al dente, in advance.
Sarah says
August 8, 2015 at 4:19 PMto thaw the lasagna do you just set it out of the freezer for the morning or do you place it in the fridge?
Angela says
August 8, 2015 at 8:33 PMYou’ll want to pull it out the day before and thaw it in the fridge.
marissa says
August 29, 2015 at 5:07 PMYou may want to edit you recipe. 15 no bake pasta noodles is not enough for 5 pans. It would only be enough for 3 pans with 2 layers if that’s how many layers you are doing. But 5 pans with double layers would need 20 noodles. Otherwise recipe is great and instructions through
Michelle says
November 29, 2015 at 9:39 PMI love this idea. I will always have something to make at short notice. Thank you!
Michelle says
December 6, 2015 at 11:01 PMQuick question I have a big family would you change the cooking time if I cooked 2 at a time or even a larger one. I am looking for a frst-time freezer meal and this is perfect.
Andrea says
December 12, 2015 at 10:52 AMHow long can this be frozen (days, weeks, etc.)
Thanks!
Angela says
January 1, 2016 at 6:20 PMI wouldn’t freeze this for more than 1 to 2 months.
Rose says
February 4, 2016 at 10:48 PMHave you ever tried making this recipe using cottage cheese instead of ricotta cheese?
Angela says
February 5, 2016 at 9:05 AMNot this particular recipe, but I have in others. I think it would be fine.
Allison says
March 17, 2016 at 11:25 AMAre those noodles sheets or the conventional ones (like 2″ across)?
Joyce says
April 18, 2016 at 10:34 PMWhat is the difference in no-boil noodles and regular lasagna noodles? purchased regular lasagna noodles in error. To get the best flavor should I just purchase the no-boil noodles or do you have a suggestion. I don’t like pasta to overpower the dish. This is my first time making lasagna. I am diabetic and have to restrict my sodium and carbs.Please respond ASAP.
Angela says
April 19, 2016 at 9:33 AMHi Joyce, you can use either boil or no-boil noodles. I often use the no-boil for the simplicity, but if you use regular noodles and boil them first it should be just fine. Enjoy!
Deb says
August 27, 2016 at 3:12 PMAre there gluten free lasagna noodles, & do you think this recipe would work with them?
Lisa says
September 22, 2016 at 11:12 AMI know in some lasagna recipes you add an egg to the filling.
sue reddrn says
September 25, 2016 at 11:52 PMwith the ingredients listed above,how many pans will that make???
Dana Rodriguez says
August 31, 2017 at 2:14 PMThis is a great idea for busy nights. Thanks for the recipe!
shelly peterson says
September 7, 2017 at 3:26 AMThis Lasagna looks delicious. This meal prep idea is great for back to school to save time on dinner,
Laurajj says
September 18, 2017 at 12:18 PMOh this is one thing I really want to start…is freezing meals for those busy school night. Lasagna is one of my families favorites…I have to try this!
Susan Feaga says
October 25, 2017 at 11:12 AMPerfect Recipe- also would be great as a gift for busy households
Barrie says
October 31, 2017 at 10:43 PMI love how easy this is. It’s a meal that the whole family would love!
Megan says
January 8, 2018 at 6:53 PMMade this for dinner tonight and it was so good! Very happy that I have an extra pan (or two or three) that I can bring to some friends who have just had a baby!
Gerdine says
November 7, 2018 at 3:59 PMdo you use two jars of marinara sauce so total of 48 ounces? or two jars equaling 24 ounces??
Angela says
November 8, 2018 at 8:30 AMYou’ll use 2 jars, equaling 48 ounces. I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Diane says
April 24, 2019 at 11:43 AMThis is the best and easiest lasagna recipe I’ve ever made! The no cook noodles are the best!!! Making it so easy and so quick! I’m very particular on Italian suace , but yours is terrific! I did, however, add one egg and cooked chopped spinach to the ricotta mixture and a little bit of more spices. Yummmm The freezing option I love! Made prior to wrist surgery and for my daughter who recently had a newborn! Very very helpful!! Thanks so much😍
Tamra Phelps says
September 22, 2019 at 7:59 PMI absolutely love lasagna. I could eat it every day.