Easy Make Ahead Lasagna

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

This lasagna’s a lifesaver for busy dinners or guests. It’s loaded with layers of saucy beef, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella. Prep it the night before, pop it in the fridge, and bake when you’re ready. Pair with salad and breadsticks, and you've got a comforting Italian meal. Deliciously cheesy and always a hit with everyone!

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Updated on Mon, 02 Jun 2025 19:32:26 GMT
Lasagna baked with meat and melted cheese on top. Pin it
Lasagna baked with meat and melted cheese on top. | chefmelt.com

This easy prep-ahead lasagna has turned so many of my dinner gatherings from rushed cooking sessions into laid-back parties where I can hang out with my friends. The wonderful layers of noodles, rich sauce, and trio of cheeses make a soul-warming dish that always gets compliments.

I cooked this lasagna for the first time when my in-laws came over for dinner. I was freaking out about getting the timing right that I mistakenly made it a day early because I was so worried. That random mistake became our family's go-to meal for every special get-together.

What You'll Need

  • Ground beef: forms the meaty base and works great with the tomato sauce
  • Jarred spaghetti sauce: cuts down on work but keeps all the taste try to find ones without extra sugar
  • Eggs: keep the ricotta mixture from falling apart when you cut slices
  • Ricotta cheese: makes that smooth middle section that cuts the tangy sauce full-fat gives you the creamiest results
  • Parmesan cheese: brings that classic Italian flavor grate it fresh if you can
  • Black pepper: lifts all the other tastes grab the grinder for best flavor
  • No-cook lasagna noodles: skip the boiling step they soak up sauce liquid and get perfectly soft
  • Mozzarella cheese: delivers those stretchy cheese pulls and golden top go with whole milk for better melting

How To Make Overnight Lasagna

Cook The Meat Base:
Cook your ground beef in a big pan over medium heat, breaking it into tiny bits with your spoon. This should take around 8-10 minutes until it's fully browned. Pour off the extra fat so your dish won't be greasy. Put the meat back in the pan and mix in both jars of sauce until everything's combined. Let it bubble gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
Prepare The Cheese Blend:
Take a big bowl and lightly whisk the eggs first. This helps them mix through the cheese better. Add your ricotta, Parmesan, and black pepper to the beaten eggs. Mix until you've got a smooth, even mixture. This creamy part will taste amazing against the meat sauce.
Start Putting It Together:
Spread 1 cup of meat sauce across the bottom of your greased 9x13 baking dish. This keeps the noodles from sticking and helps them cook right. Lay down 4-5 no-cook noodles in one layer, slightly overlapping them if needed to cover everything.
Build Layer One:
Spread half your ricotta mix over the noodles, using a spoon to make it even all the way to the edges. Top with 1 cup of meat sauce, spreading carefully so you don't mess up the ricotta. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
Add The Second Layer:
Do it all again with more noodles, the rest of your ricotta mix, another cup of meat sauce, and another cup of mozzarella. Press down softly after each layer to get rid of air bubbles.
Top It Off:
Put your last layer of noodles on top, then pour all your leftover meat sauce over them, making sure to cover every bit of noodle so they'll cook properly. Finish with the rest of your mozzarella, covering the whole top for that perfect golden crust.
Chill Overnight:
Cover your dish tightly with plastic wrap first, then foil, and stick it in the fridge for at least 8 hours or overnight. This resting time lets the flavors mix together and starts softening the noodles in the sauce.
Bake It Up:
Take the lasagna out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Throw away the plastic wrap, put the foil back on, and bake at 375°F for 1 hour. Then take off the foil and bake 10-15 minutes more until the cheese is bubbly with golden spots. Let it sit for 10 minutes before cutting so the layers can set up.
A delicious lasagna with cheese and meat. Pin it
A delicious lasagna with cheese and meat. | chefmelt.com

What I love most about this dish is how the edges get all crispy and brown while the middle stays soft and tender. My grandma always told me that waiting after baking isn't just a suggestion. She'd say, "Wait ten minutes and you'll get pretty squares instead of messy heaps." That short rest has saved many dinner presentations!

Tasty Variations

This basic lasagna can be changed up however you want. For something lighter, swap the beef for ground turkey or a plant-based option. You might also sneak in some cooked veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini between layers to add more goodness. While homemade sauce is great if you've got time, good store-bought sauce works perfectly when you're busy.

A plate of lasagna with melted cheese. Pin it
A plate of lasagna with melted cheese. | chefmelt.com

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

After it's cooled down, your lasagna will stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days if kept in a sealed container. To freeze it, cut the cooled lasagna into single servings and wrap each piece in plastic wrap then foil. They'll stay good frozen for 3 months. To warm up refrigerated lasagna, cover with foil and heat in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or microwave single pieces for 2-3 minutes. For frozen portions, thaw in the fridge overnight before heating or use your microwave's defrost setting before heating normally.

What To Serve Alongside

Though this lasagna stands on its own as a full meal, it goes really well with certain sides. A simple peppery arugula salad with lemony dressing helps cut through the richness. Some garlic bread or focaccia works great for soaking up extra sauce. If you're serving wine, try a medium-bodied red like Chianti or Sangiovese that can handle the tomato tang without drowning out the cheesy goodness.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long ahead can I prepare lasagna?

You can make it up to a day before. Keep it chilled in the fridge until baking time.

→ Is it okay to freeze lasagna?

Absolutely! Put together the lasagna without baking, wrap well, and freeze for up to three months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before baking.

→ Should I boil noodles first?

No need to! This version uses no-boil noodles that cook perfectly in the oven with sauce and cheese.

→ What’s a good replacement for ricotta?

If you’re out of ricotta, go for cottage cheese or cream cheese—they’ll work great!

→ How do I avoid soggy lasagna?

Drain the beef completely after browning, don’t add extra liquid to the sauce, and let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes after baking to firm up.

Make Ahead Lasagna

Rich lasagna you can prep early. Packed with beef, ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
75 Minutes
Total Time
105 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 12 Servings (12 pieces)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 6 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
02 12-15 no-cook lasagna sheets
03 2 jars of marinara sauce
04 2 eggs, whisked gently
05 20 ounces of creamy ricotta cheese
06 2 pounds of minced beef
07 ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
08 ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Step 01

Heat up a big skillet, toss in the ground beef, and cook it on medium until it's no longer pink. Pour off the grease before adding marinara sauce.

Step 02

Grab a big bowl and mix the eggs, ricotta, Parmesan, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Step 03

Coat the bottom of your greased 33x23 cm pan with a cup of meat sauce. Lay down 4-5 noodles, spread half the ricotta blend, then add another cup of meat sauce and 1 cup of mozzarella. Stack it again in the same order. End with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, and mozzarella on top.

Step 04

Cover the dish and pop it in the fridge for at least 8 hours or even overnight.

Step 05

Pull the lasagna out of the fridge and let it thaw on the counter for about 30 minutes. Wrap it in aluminum foil and bake it at 190°C for an hour. Take off the foil, and bake 10-15 more minutes until the cheesy top is golden and bubbling.

Step 06

Cool the lasagna for 10 minutes to let it set. Then slice it up and serve to your hungry crowd.

Notes

  1. You can prep this lasagna one day ahead and keep it chilled until it's time to bake.
  2. Serve it with a salad on the side and warm breadsticks for an awesome meal.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big skillet
  • Large bowl
  • Pan (33x23 cm size)
  • Foil

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy, including ricotta and cheese
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains gluten from the lasagna sheets

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 593
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~