This easy lazy lasagna uses ravioli, cottage cheese, and jarred pasta sauce for a fast, no-boil weeknight dinner. It's a cheesy, family-friendly ravioli lasagna that takes just minutes to assemble!
Why You’ll Love This Lazy Lasagna
If you need a dinner that practically cooks itself while you wrangle kids, chores, or a field run then this lazy lasagna is your new best friend. It's a no boil lasagna recipe, which means no fussing with layers. Instead, we’re using refrigerated ravioli as a shortcut. You get all the cozy, saucy, cheesy lasagna vibes without the effort.
This is one of those “everyone at the table inhales it” dinners, perfect for hungry eaters. It's made with simple ingredients and leftovers that reheat like a dream.
Love lasagna but want something cozy and spoonable? Try my Instant Pot lasagna soup.
What Is Lazy Lasagna?
Let's break it down. For those not in the know, lazy lasagna is exactly what it sounds like: a shortcut version of classic lasagna that uses ravioli in place of lasagna noodles and cottage cheese instead of ricotta. Everything bakes together into a bubbly, cheesy pasta casserole with way less prep.
If you’re on "Team Simple Suppers", this easy ravioli lasagna bake belongs in your weekly rotation.
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Can You Use Cottage Cheese in Ravioli Lasagna?
Yes! Cottage cheese works well in lazy lasagna made with ravioli. It adds creaminess and protein while keeping the dish simple. Many home cooks prefer cottage cheese over ricotta because it’s easier to find and usually less expensive. Now, let's talk other ingredients!
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make this ravioli lasagna bake:
- refrigerated ravioli - you can use cheese, beef or spinach. Anything goes! There's no boiling, no fuss, and it creates perfect layers. Note: You can also use frozen ravioli. Tips are in the recipe card.
- pasta sauce - Use marinara, tomato basil, or even your homemade sauce if you’ve got some in the freezer. My go-to is Rao's brand.
- mozzarella cheese - Gives you that stretchy, melty, golden top everyone loves. Because if it's not cheesy, it's not lasagna.
- cottage cheese - Creamy, protein-rich, and a classic shortcut in Midwest lasagna recipes, even before the cottage cheese craze hit. Large or small curd both work. My personal preference for texture is small curd cottage cheese.
- Fresh basil - Totally optional but if you've got it, use it! You'll feel fancy.
See recipe card below for specific quantities and ingredient list.
If you like shortcut recipes, be sure to see my southern style collard greens, which uses frozen greens. Translation: you don't have to wash them, perfect for lazy (ahem, smart) people.
How to Make Lazy Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
- Step 1: Prep the Dish. Preheat your oven. Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce across the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Step 2: Layer #1. Arrange a single layer of ravioli over the sauce.
- Step 3: Spread half the cottage cheese over the top.
- Step 4: Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella.
- Step 5: Repeat the layers (sauce, ravioli, cottage cheese, more sauce and remaining mozz).
- Step 4 — Bake. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling.
Rest + Serve. Let it cool for 5–10 minutes so it sets. Top with fresh basil and dig in!
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If you prefer cooking everything in one pan on the stovetop, you might love this easy skillet lasagna recipe - no oven required.
📋 Variations
- If you like white sauce, you can swap the marinara for Alfredo sauce and pair it with chicken, spinach, or mushroom ravioli.
- Like it meaty? Add browned ground beef, pork sausage, or leftover pulled pork between layers.
- Pack in veggies with the addition of sautéed spinach, zucchini ribbons, mushrooms, or roasted vegetables.
- To make it kid-friendly, go with cheese ravioli, lots of mozzarella, and mild marinara (the stuff with no specs of spice).
Also try these lasagna cups!
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Keep it simple and serve with garlic bread knots or breadsticks. Yes, we love carbs. Also, consider a green salad with some homemade ranch dressing or oven roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes and fresh fruit.
This is the perfect main dish for a lazy Sunday dinner or a no-stress meal during harvest or the holidays. Even though we're busy - we've gotta eat!
Farm Girl Tip
Don’t skip the resting time. It helps the layers set and will make serving easier.
How to Store & Reheat
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm portions in the microwave, or reheat the dish at 350°F until warmed through.
To make as a freezer meal, assemble completely, cover tightly, and freeze unbaked for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen using the frozen ravioli bake time (I'll put a note for you in the recipe card).
This makes a perfect freezer meal or dinner to share with someone who could use an extra hand with dinner.
Make Ahead
Assemble as directed. Cover and pop it in the fridge until it's it time to cook. It'll keep for 24 hours.
FAQ
Ooooh, you fancy! Yes, you can. 😉 Swap out the cottage cheese for the same amount of ricotta. Cottage cheese is just a classic Midwestern shortcut.
Yes! Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Pretty much! Lazy lasagna is the broader term, and ravioli lasagna is one version of it.
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Recipe
Lazy Ravioli Lasagna (Baked Ravioli Casserole)
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Ingredients
- 20 ounce package refrigerated ravioli any variety – cheese, meat, or spinach
- 24 ounces pasta sauce marinara or your favorite spaghetti sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 24 ounces cottage cheese (large or small curd - I prefer small curd)
- Optional: fresh basil thinly sliced, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Layer the sauce and ravioli: Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange a single layer of ravioli over the sauce, covering the bottom of the pan.
- Add cheeses and more sauce. Spoon half of the cottage cheese over the ravioli and spread gently. Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella.Pour and spread another layer of pasta sauce over the cheese.
- Repeat the layers. Add a second layer of ravioli.Spoon on the remaining cottage cheese and spread.Top with another layer of sauce, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Bake. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Rest and serve. Let the ravioli lasagna rest for 5–10 minutes to set. Top with fresh basil, if using, then slice and serve.
Notes
Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5–10 minutes to the covered bake time if going straight from the fridge to the oven. Storage & reheating:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or cover the baking dish with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
Nancy says
I baked the Lazy Ravioli Lasagna using cottage cheese. It was very good and SO easy! I did forget to put in the basil, which would have elevated the flavor but it is a recipe I will use again.
J.Rieman says
Great option for week night dinners. It's quick to make & my family loves it.
Deanne Frieders says
Awww, you came back to comment! You're the best and I'm so glad you're here ☺️
Lynne says
Recipe says only 2 oz of ravioli so wondering if that’s a typo. Can’t wait to try it.