Lasagna without Ricotta Cheese

This hearty and flavorful lasagna without ricotta recipe is a straightforward recipe with ground beef in a tomato sauce, layers of tender noodles, creamy white sauce, and mozzarella cheese. This is a dish that everyone will love and will be asking for seconds.

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Jump to:

• Homemade Lasagna
• What goes in lasagna: Ingredients
• Lasagna without Ricotta
• Adaptable recipe – variations
• Instructions
• My notes
• FAQs
• Storage and reheating
• Make ahead
• Serve With
• Related Recipes

This lasagna recipe skips the ricotta without sacrificing any of the creamy, cheesy goodness you crave. Whether you’re avoiding ricotta for dietary reasons or simply prefer a different texture, this recipe is here to win you over.

Homemade Lasagna

• No Ricotta, no Problem, and I am not going to ask you to use cottage cheese either; how easy is that? Instead, we are using a blend of creamy bechamel sauce with cheese to create that creamy smooth texture.
• This recipe is packed with flavor with tomato sauce, tender pasta, and gooey cheese. This dish is a crowd-pleaser no one will even miss the ricotta!
• Perfect make-ahead meal, easy to double casserole, and kid and freezer-friendly.

Lasagna is one of those dishes that comes with a universal code of satisfaction. One of the most loved foods in the whole wide world there is something for everyone here, so comforting.

What goes in lasagna: Ingredients

Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Ingredient Notes

• Oil - I used olive oil to help saute the onion. You can use canola oil or even avocado oil instead. 
• Produce - You will need a white or yellow onion to make this hearty pasta, and also some fresh garlic cloves. 
• Beef - Lean ground beef will help you make the homemade tomato sauce. 
• Seasonings - You will need salt, black pepper, ground cinnamon, Italian seasoning, nutmeg, and white sugar to add flavor to your homemade lasagna. If you are avoiding nutmeg, check these Nutmeg Substitutes.
• Tomato sauce - Tomato sauce helps to make your meat sauce. 
• Tomato paste - This is used to add more flavor and help thicken your homemade sauce. 
• Butter - I like to use unsalted butter to be able to control the salt more; however, you can also use salted butter to make your roux. 
• Flour - All-purpose flour will help thicken your roux. 
• Pasta - You can't have lasagna without delicious lasagna noodles. 
• Mozzarella -  This cheese is essential for adding that gooey, melty goodness to your lasagna. You can also use Parmesan cheese with the bechamel sauce.

Adaptable recipe – variations

• Add flavor by adding a diced green bell pepper or shredded carrots to the meat mixture.
• You can also use a jar of store-bought spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce if you want to save a little time.
• Add a mix of ground beef with Italian sausage or even ground turkey.
• You can use cheddar or a mild gouda in place of the mozzarella if you wish.
• Make a veggie lasagna by layering roasted vegetables like zucchini or eggplants with the meat sauce.
• Make a vegan lasagna by using Impossible or Beyond ground meat or a mix of roasted vegetables or a lentil-based sauce.

Instructions

1. Cook the noodles in salted boiled water until al dente. Drain the noodles and lay them flat on a baking sheet. Spray with oil spray and place parchment paper in between layers.

2. In a large pot, saute onions until translucent, add minced garlic, and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add ground beef, breaking it apart, cook until no longer pink, and drain the excess fat.
4. Add spices, tomato paste, and sauce, and mix everything well to combine.
5. Bring meat mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. To make the white sauce, place milk in a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl and heat for 1-2 minutes. In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter with oil. Whisk in flour and cook for a couple of minutes until it turns pale yellow.
7. Gradually pour in hot milk while whisking and stirring until the mixture is smooth with no lumps.
8. Keep cooking until the mixture thickens, about 8 minutes.
9. Season with salt and pepper.

10. Before assembling the lasagna, preheat oven to 375°F. In a 13x9 dish, spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce at the bottom of the dish.
11. Top with three sheets of cooked lasagna.
12. Spread about 1 cup of the white sauce, then top with ⅓rd of the remaining meat sauce.
13. Sprinkle ¼ of the mozzarella cheese you are using. Repeat these steps for two more times in this order. 3 sheets of noodles, white sauce, meat sauce and mozzarella.

14. Lay the final three sheets of lasagna and top with the remaining béchamel sauce. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and top has browned a bit.

My notes

• Do not rinse the lasagna noodles, as we need the starch layer forming on them for the sauce to cling to.
• Drain the excess fat from the beef to prevent your sauce from being too greasy.
• Sugar is added to balance the acidity in the meat sauce. If you do not like adding sugar, you can also add a small grated carrot.
• I use only 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese as my family does not like it extra cheesy. You can use up to 3 cups or even more, depending on your liking.
• You can use oven-ready lasagna if you wish to; add a ½ cup of beef broth or water to the sauce.
• Don't forget to top each serving with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

FAQs

Storage and reheating

Storage - Place leftover lasagna in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing - One great thing about lasagna is that it's freezer-friendly, so you can freeze it wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before heating.

Reheating - Reheat lasagna in a 350°F oven covered with foil or in the microwave.

Make ahead

• You can assemble and bake the dish up to 2 days ahead of time just make sure it has cooled to room temperature, and then cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil.
• You can also make the sauce(s), refrigerate for up to 2 days, then assemble the dish on the day you need to bake it. Make sure to reheat the meat sauce gently with an additional ¼ cup of water or beef broth to loosen the sauce a bit. Your bechamel might need a splash of milk or water too when reheating.

Serve With

This easy lasagna recipe is a hearty meal that can be served on its own, but you can also add a fabulous antipasto or green salad.

If you need more side dishes check this out for a complete list of what to serve with lasagna.

Related Recipes

• This creamy pasta recipe is so delicious and an easy no-boil pasta recipe.
• This is my go-to weeknight meal when I'm in the mood for something fast and comforting. Easy Beef Stroganoff is creamy delicious and lighter family favorite dinner.
• A delicious and effortless Penne Pizza for hectic weeknight dinners. Serve the best of the two worlds, pasta and pizza, in a tasty cheesy casserole dish.
• Tortellini Ground Beef is the perfect comfort food dinner for busy weeknights. Tender cheese filled tortellini in a rich meat sauce topped with stretchy cheese, a hearty and satisfying meal for your family.

The moment when you cut through all these creamy, saucy, and cheesy layers to serve a hot, bubbly piece is heavenly and satisfying. One of the very rewarding recipes and worth the effort, don't you think so?