Name: How to Make the Best Barilla Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Ingredients: 1 package (16 oz) Barilla Wavy Lasagne noodles; 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef; 2 jars (24 oz each) good quality marinara sauce (Barilla recommended); 2 pounds whole milk ricotta cheese; 4 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly grated (divided); 1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated (divided); 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

There’s something magical about pulling a perfectly layered lasagna from the oven – that moment when the cheese is bubbling, the aroma fills your kitchen, and you know dinner is going to be spectacular. But who has hours to spend in the kitchen these days? That’s where this game-changing Barilla lasagna recipe comes in.

Table of Content

The Easy Lasagna That Cuts Cooking Time in Half
Why This Recipe Is So Quick
Key Ingredients for Your Quick Lasagna Recipe
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Nail This Recipe
Tips to Transform This Lasagna Recipe into a Masterpiece
Storage and Freezing: Managing Leftovers
Frequently Asked Questions
Nutrition Information
Other Recipe

The Easy Lasagna That Cuts Cooking Time in Half

Imagine sinking your fork into decadent layers of seasoned meat, rich marinara sauce, and a perfect blend of cheeses – without spending your entire afternoon in the kitchen. This recipe delivers exactly that promise.

What makes this lasagna special isn’t just its flavor (which is absolutely mouth-watering). It’s the clever shortcuts that cut your cooking time in half compared to traditional recipes. Even better, it’s simpler than most lasagna recipes you’ll find, easily feeds a crowd of up to 12 people, and tastes like you’ve been cooking all day.

The beauty of this dish is that you’ll get all the homemade flavor without the traditional fuss. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something impressive but don’t have hours to spare.

Why This Recipe Is So Quick

If you’ve made lasagna before, you know the process can be time-consuming. This recipe changes everything, offering a speedy alternative to traditional methods without compromising flavor.

The magic happens in two key places:

First, the sauce. Instead of simmering sauce for hours, we’re taking advantage of the rich flavor already developed in quality marinara sauce. A quick 5-minute simmer with well-seasoned meat is all you need to create a sauce that tastes like it’s been cooking all day.

Second, the noodle technique. Traditional lasagna recipes have you boiling noodles to full doneness before assembly, which is time-consuming and can lead to torn, sticky pasta. This recipe uses a clever partial cooking method – just 4 minutes in boiling water – which dramatically cuts preparation time.

While this isn’t technically a « no-boil » or « oven-ready » lasagna recipe, it achieves the same time-saving goal through different means. The partially cooked noodles finish cooking in the oven, absorbing the delicious flavors of your sauce and creating perfect texture.

Key Ingredients for Your Quick Lasagna Recipe

The foundation of any great lasagna is quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

The Noodles

The Barilla Wavy Lasagne noodles are perfect for this recipe – their ridges hold sauce beautifully. However, any quality lasagna noodle will work with this technique.

The Sauce

A good quality marinara sauce is essential – Barilla makes an excellent version, but use your favorite brand. The better your sauce, the better your finished lasagna.

The Meat

Italian sausage provides incredible flavor, but well-seasoned ground beef works wonderfully too. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly and drain any excess fat before adding to your sauce.

The Cheeses

This is where magic happens. You’ll need:

Whole milk ricotta cheese (for creaminess)
Freshly grated mozzarella (pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting – taking the time to grate your own makes a significant difference)
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (the real stuff, not the shelf-stable canister)
Eggs (to bind the cheese mixture and create perfect texture)

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Nail This Recipe

1) Prep Your Noodles

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook your Barilla lasagna noodles for just 4 minutes – they’ll be underdone, and that’s exactly what you want. Immediately rinse under cold water and lay flat on clean kitchen towels. This prevents sticking while you prepare the other components.

2) Prepare the Meat Sauce

In a large skillet, brown your meat of choice, breaking it into small pieces. Once fully cooked, drain excess fat and add your marinara sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer for just 5 minutes to marry the flavors. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs if desired.

3) Mix the Cheeses

In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, two-thirds of your freshly grated mozzarella, half the Parmigiano-Reggiano, eggs, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.

4) Layer Like a Pro

Start with a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of your baking dish – this prevents sticking. Then create your layers:

Slightly overlapping noodles
Generous layer of cheese mixture
Hearty portion of meat sauce

Repeat this layering twice more, finishing with a final layer of noodles topped with the remaining sauce and reserved mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

If using a traditional 9×13 baking dish rather than a deep lasagna pan, limit yourself to 3 layers of noodles to prevent overflow.

5) Baking Brilliance

Cover with foil (spray the underside with cooking spray to prevent cheese sticking) and bake for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 25 minutes until bubbling and golden.

6) The Essential Rest

Let your masterpiece rest for 10 minutes before cutting. This isn’t optional – it allows the layers to set and makes serving much neater.

Tips to Transform This Lasagna Recipe into a Masterpiece

Perfect Noodle Technique

Don’t overcook your noodles during the pre-boil. Remember, they’ll continue cooking in the oven. If they’re fully cooked before assembly, they’ll become mushy in the final dish.

The Cheese Grater Difference

Pre-shredded cheese contains additives that prevent proper melting. Taking five minutes to grate your own mozzarella results in that stretchy, gooey cheese pull we all love in lasagna.

The Bottom Layer Secret

Always start with sauce on the bottom of your pan. This prevents sticking and ensures even cooking.

The 10-Minute Rule

It’s tempting to dive right in, but letting your lasagna rest for 10 minutes after baking is crucial. This allows the layers to set and makes cutting much cleaner.

Cutting Clean Portions

Use a sharp knife and cut straight down through all layers, wiping the blade between cuts for picture-perfect portions.

Alternative Noodle Method

If you’re really pressed for time, you can skip boiling altogether and soak your noodles in very hot water for 30 minutes while preparing other ingredients.

Storage and Freezing: Managing Leftovers

Refrigerated lasagna keeps well for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.

This lasagna freezes beautifully! You can freeze the entire assembled, unbaked lasagna or freeze individual portions after baking. To freeze the entire lasagna, assemble in a freezer-safe container, cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

For best results when freezing baked portions, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of baking dish is ideal?

A deep lasagna pan works best for this recipe, allowing you to create beautiful deep layers. If using a standard 9×13 baking dish, reduce to three layers of noodles to prevent overflow during baking.

Can I use different cheeses?

Absolutely! Cottage cheese can substitute for ricotta (though the texture will be different). For a truly decadent version, add a layer of béchamel sauce in place of some of the ricotta mixture.

Nutrition Information

NutrientAmount per Serving

Calories385
Total Fat18g
- Saturated Fat9g
Cholesterol95mg
Sodium780mg
Total Carbohydrates31g
Dietary Fiber3g
Sugars7g
Protein25g

Nutrition values are approximate and based on 1/12 of the complete recipe. Values may vary based on specific ingredients used.

Other Recipe

In the final analysis, this Barilla lasagna recipe stands out as a remarkable solution for busy home cooks who refuse to compromise on flavor. Furthermore, by utilizing the partial cooking method for the noodles, you’re not only saving valuable time but also enhancing the final texture of your dish. Additionally, the simplified sauce approach means you can enjoy homemade lasagna any night of the week, not just on special occasions.

Moreover, once you’ve mastered this technique, you may find yourself wondering why you ever made lasagna the traditional way. Subsequently, you might start experimenting with different fillings and variations, using this time-saving method as your foundation. Above all, remember that great cooking isn’t always about spending hours in the kitchen—sometimes it’s about working smarter, not harder.

Therefore, whether you’re cooking for a special family dinner, preparing for guests, or simply craving comfort food on a weeknight, this recipe deserves a permanent place in your culinary repertoire. In conclusion, this perfect balance of convenience and flavor makes this Barilla lasagna recipe a guaranteed family favorite that will undoubtedly become your new go-to comfort food classic.