Italian Sausage Lasagna

Name: Italian Sausage Lasagna
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 1 pound Italian sausage (bulk, not links); 2 24 ounce jars marinara sauce (about 4 cups); 12 ounces ricotta cheese; 16 ounces mozarella cheese (shredded); 1 egg; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 1 12 ounce box no-boil lasagna noodles; ½ cup Parmesan cheese (shredded); 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (garnish, optional)

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This Italian Sausage Lasagna has layers of pasta, marinara sauce, three types of cheese and Italian sausage. Perfect for family dinners or whenever you're craving warm and cozy comfort food.

It's the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with the best smells and brings everyone to the table fast.

A slice of Italian Sausage Lasagna on a white plate.

Homemade lasagna with Italian sausage

Lasagna is one of those meals that brings people together. I tend to make a lasagna when I have a large group coming for dinner. I can easily assemble everything ahead of time, and then bake before everyone arrives.

This version uses Italian sausage for a rich, flavorful sauce. The sausage adds just the right amount of spice to the sauce. I layer the lasagna with three kinds of cheese; ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

To keep things simple, this recipe uses no-boil noodles. They cook right in the oven while the lasagna bakes. It's one less pot to wash and makes the whole process a little easier.

Once baked, the lasagna comes out bubbling and golden brown. I allow it to rest for a bit before slicing so the layers hold together. Serve with a green salad and some homemade focaccia bread for a meal everyone will love.

Lasagna ingredients

No-Boil Lasagna Noodles - These no-boil noodles make this lasagna so simple. You simply layer the no-boil noodles into the casserole and they cook while the lasagna bakes. If you prefer to use a regular lasagna noodle, you'll need to boil the noodles before adding to the lasagna.
Italian Sausage - Use bulk Italian sausage or remove the sausage from links. This is a perfect use for my Homemade Italian Sausage.
Cheese - Three different types of cheese are used in this lasagna, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Marinara Sauce - Use your favorite marinara sauce. If using store bought, you'll need two 24-ounce jars. My crock pot spaghetti sauce or oven roasted tomato sauce work well in this recipe.
Egg - Helps bind all the cheeses together.
Seasoning - Dried basil, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Making the lasagna

Marinara sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish.

Cook the Italian sausage in a skillet, breaking up the large bits while it's cooking.
Turn off heat and stir in marinara sauce
In a large bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, egg, and seasoning.
Lightly grease a 9x13 deep dish casserole pan. Add a layer of sauce (about 1 cup) to the casserole dish. Spread evenly.

Add noodles in a single layer.
Add half of the cheese mixture. Spread evenly over the noodles.

Adding the cheese layer to a homemade lasagna.

Add another layer of sauce, then noodles, then the remaining cheese mixture. Each layer gets spread evenly throughout the entire dish.

Layering a lasagna in a white casserole dish.

Add sauce and noodles and finish with a final layer of sauce.

Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.

A baked lasagna in a white casserole dish.

Cover with foil and bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is nicely browned.
Remove from oven, cover lightly with foil, and allow the lasagna to rest for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Recipe tips

Reserve two cups of mozzarella for the topping.
Start with a small amount of sauce on the bottom of the dish. This helps prevent the noodles from sticking and also helps the noodles soften evenly while baking.
Allow the baked lasagna to rest for at least 15 minutes. This allows it to set-up and helps prevent the layers from sliding apart while serving.
If your casserole dish is filled to the top, place on a cookie sheet while baking. This will catch any drips that may happen.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use regular lasagna noodles instead of no-boil?

Yes, cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain well before adding to the lasagna. You don't want to add any excess water to the dish.

Can I make lasagna ahead of time?

Yes, this can be made ahead of time and baked later. Assemble the casserole, then cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead of time. Remove from fridge 20-30 minutes prior to baking. Baking time may need to be increased by 15-20 minutes.

Can I freeze this lasagna?

Yes, this lasagna can be frozen either before or after baking. Wrap in plastic wrap and in foil and then place in the freezer. For a baked lasagna, allow it to fully cool before freezing. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before baking or reheating.