The Best Make Ahead Lasagna Recipe

Save time and prepare for busy days ahead with this amazing freeze ahead lasagna recipe. With layers of noodles, cheese, & meat sauce, it’s a perfect pasta dinner – without having to cook the noodles first! Make a pan for dinner tonight and freeze another one to have on a later date! 

Why You’ll Love this Freezer Meal Recipe

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My mother-in-law was one of those cooks who rarely needs a recipe.  She just somehow knew by instinct what to put in a recipe and how much.

I got this recipe from watching her prepare lasagna for a huge group of guests.  As she worked away, I jotted down what she was doing.  I couldn’t believe that you didn’t need to cook the noodles first, and it turned out great!

This recipe is a perfect freezer meal to make ahead of time and have for busy days or unexpected guests. This recipe makes 2 9×13 inch pans. If you only want to make one pan, just divide the ingredients in half.

If you’re cooking for two (like we are these days), treat yourself to some small sized casserole dishes and assemble multiple ones and put them in the freezer. It’s like having homemade convenience food!

Ingredients for easy make ahead lasagna: 

• Lean ground beef – A hearty base for the sauce; use lean to keep the lasagna from getting greasy.
• Pasta sauce – Your favorite jarred sauce works perfectly here (Prego is a great option).
• Cottage cheese (2%) – Adds creaminess and protein without feeling heavy.
• Lasagna noodles – Any kind works, including regular or oven-ready.
• Mozzarella cheese – For that classic, melty top layer everyone loves.

Step by Step instructions for the best make ahead lasagna:

1. Brown ground beef, add pasta sauce, and swish out the pasta sauce container with water until it is all cleaned out. (My mom’s trick!) You’ll want the sauce to have a bit extra liquid.
2. Get all the other components of the recipe laid out on your counter: grated cheese, lasagna noodles, and cottage cheese. Then layer up the lasagna in the following layers:

1. small layer meat
2. lasange noodles, uncooked
3. small layer of mozzarella cheese
4. lasagna noodles, uncooked
5. cottage cheese
6. small layer meat
7. uncooked lasanga noodles
8. remainder of sauce
9. mozzarella cheese

4. If freezing ahead, cover with a layer of plastic wrap and then foil. Use a sharpie marker to label it and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How do I cook make ahead lasagna?

When ready to use, *thaw in refrigerator and then bake covered at 350 degrees for about 1 hour, or until knife inserted in center indicates the noodles are tender. If you notice it is getting dry while baking, pour a bit of water around the edges.

{**Or, if you forget to thaw it, like I do most of the time… Take from the freezer, put it in the oven while it is preheating and bake covered 1 ½ hours at 300 degrees and then bake ½ hour at 350 degrees.}

How do I know if lasagna is done?

Insert a knife in the center of the pan. If it slides through the noodles easily, then the pasta is done and it’s is ready. By that time, you should also notice it bubbling around the edges, and the cheese melted on top, too.

More Ideas for Make Ahead Freezer Meals

• Find all freezer meal recipes here!
• How I Make a Month of Freezer Meals (in a few hours)
• Chicken Tortilla Bake
• Cheese and Chicken Chimicangas
• Here’s a whole list of hamburger freezer meals!

Other Easy Dinner Recipes:

• Hamburger casserole with biscuits is a baked stroganaff using canned biscuits for a quick and convenient weeknight dinner idea.
• Homemade hamburger helper with corn is a super quick and easy dinner the whole family will love.
• If you like pasta casseroles, you’ll love this easy orzo chicken casserole recipe.

Freezer-Friendly Meal Planning Set

When meals are planned, the kitchen feels lighter. This printable set helps you think ahead, use what you have, and take some of the pressure off dinner. Get yours (free!) today!