The “Fake It ‘Til You Make It” Lazy Lasagna Casserole

Ever had one of those days where you want to impress but can barely muster the energy to microwave a Hot Pocket?

Boy, do I have the recipe for you!

This “lazy” lasagna casserole is the culinary equivalent of showing up to a black-tie event in sweatpants and somehow pulling it off.

It’s the perfect dish for when you need to trick your in-laws into thinking you’ve got your life together, or when you just want to treat yourself to something delicious without all the fuss.

Let’s dive into this magical creation that tastes like it took hours but actually lets you binge-watch half a season of your favorite show while it bakes!

Ingredients

• 1 package of oven-ready lasagna noodles
• 1 jar (24 oz) of your favorite pasta sauce
• 1 lb ground beef (or plant-based alternative)
• 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.

2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.

3. Add the pasta sauce to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes.

4. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

5. Now, let’s layer! Start with a thin layer of meat sauce in the baking dish.

6. Add a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles, breaking them to fit if necessary.

7. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.

8. Repeat layers twice more, ending with meat sauce on top.

9. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top layer.

10. Pour 1/4 cup of water around the edges of the dish.

11. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

12. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.

13. Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

The Secret to “Lazy” Success

The magic of this casserole lies in two key elements:

1. Oven-ready noodles: These bad boys don’t need pre-boiling, cutting down on both effort and dishes.

2. The sneaky water trick: Adding water around the edges helps cook the noodles to perfection without making the sauce watery.

These two simple hacks transform what could be a labor-intensive dish into a “set it and forget it” miracle.

The result? A lasagna that tastes like you slaved over a hot stove all day, when in reality, you were probably just trying to beat your high score in Candy Crush.

So there you have it, folks! A “lazy” casserole that’s anything but lazy in flavor.

Serve it up with a side salad (or don’t, we won’t judge), and bask in the compliments as your dinner guests marvel at your culinary prowess.

Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Use this recipe wisely, and maybe don’t tell everyone how easy it actually was.

After all, a magician never reveals their secrets!