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About This Recipe
If you love all the classic flavors of lasagna but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this Microwave Lasagna recipe is for you! It’s the easiest (and most delicious) way to enjoy lasagna without all the time and hassle required for the traditional version. Plus, it’s perfect for meal prep or if you’re just cooking for one!
I love this microwave version because it comes together so quickly with just a few pantry staples. All you have to do is cook your ground beef, layer everything in a microwave-safe bowl, and cook! Seriously, that’s it! It’s also a great way to get your lasagna fix in the summertime without having to turn the oven on!
Serve these lasagna bowls with a side of my parmesan zucchini, roasted broccoli, or green beans for an easy weeknight meal. I also love making a batch of my crostinis for soaking up any remaining sauce in the bowl (they also make the perfect dippers!).
For more traditional lasagna recipes, try my Cottage Cheese Lasagna or Healthy Skillet Lasagna. Or, for another fun variation, try my Crockpot Lasagna Soup.
Why You’ll Love This Microwave Lasagna Recipe
- Quick & easy: These microwave lasagna bowls are ready in under 15 minutes with minimal prep time.
- Minimal cleanup: All you need is one skillet, a couple of meal prep bowls, and the microwave!
- Classic flavors without the hassle: Enjoy all the classic flavors of lasagna you love, like savory meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender noodles without a lot of work.
- Customizable: Add your favorite veggies or use whatever protein you have on hand.
- Perfect for one: Easily enjoy just one serving at a time!
- Lasagna pasta: You will break the uncooked lasagna noodles into small pieces and cook them directly in the bowl. Or, if meal prepping multiple bowls at once you can cook the noodles according to the package directions.
- Olive oil: You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or your favorite cooking oil.
- Ground beef: I used lean 96/4 ground beef. If using a higher fat percentage, you may just want to drain off the excess grease. You can also substitute ground sausage or ground turkey.
- Marinara sauce: Use your favorite jarred (I love Rao’s) or homemade marinara sauce.
- Small curd cottage cheese: Try to use a small curd cottage cheese that isn’t too liquidy (I love Good Culture). If your cottage cheese is really liquidy, be sure to give it a good stir or drain some of the excess liquid. You can also use ricotta cheese.
- Cheese: I used a combination of mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese to give these lasagna bowls that signature melty, cheesy goodness. I highly recommend using freshly shredded cheese for optimal flavor and meltiness.
- Seasonings: For this recipe, you’ll need garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Feel free to throw in any additional seasonings you think sound good!
- Add-ins: Try chopped spinach, diced tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Noodles: Use whole wheat lasagna noodles for extra fiber or gluten-free lasagna noodles if needed.
- Meat: Swap the ground beef for cooked sausage, ground turkey, or even shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Vegetarian: Use meatless crumbles, lentils, or more veggies for a plant-based option.
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Add ground beef to a skillet and cook over medium heat until browned, crumbling into tiny pieces as you go. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
2. Cook the lasagna noodles and remove from the bowl. Then add about 1/2 cup cooked beef to the bowl.
3. Spread marinara sauce over top, then add the lasagna noodles, cottage cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
4. Place in the microwave. Cook for 1 minute. Give it a quick stir, then cook for another 1-2 minutes or until lasagna is tender and heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with more cheese or fresh basil if desired and enjoy!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
To meal prep: Cook lasagna noodles first (according to package directions to al dente, since they will cook more when you microwave them later!), drain, and set aside. Cook ground beef and divide it between four bowls. Add the rest of the ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until ready to eat.
Helpful Tips
🥣Use a wide bowl: Make sure to use a bowl wide enough so that everything cooks evenly and has space to layer.
🍝Olive oil: Be sure not to skip the olive oil when cooking the noodles, since it helps prevent sticking.
⏱️Meal prep tip: Cook the ground beef and noodles ahead of time, then layer everything in individual containers for easy heat-and-eat lunches or dinners.
💡Microwave wattage: The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your microwave’s wattage. Just make sure your lasagna is tender and heated all the way through.
🧀Freshly shredded cheese: Use freshly grated cheese if you can for the best texture and melt.
Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles?
Yes, you can, but they tend to cook a bit faster, so you will need to reduce the cook time slightly and check for doneness early.
What kind of bowl should I use?
Use a large microwave-safe bowl, made from glass or ceramic that’s wide and deep enough for layering. I really like these bowls for any meal prep recipes that I am going to reheat in the microwave. Be sure to avoid plastic containers that aren’t microwave-safe.
Can I make this microwave lasagna recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the layers ahead of time (with already-cooked noodles and beef) and refrigerate. Then just microwave when ready to eat.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Microwave Lasagna
Ingredients
- 8 oz. ground beef raw (makes enough for 4 lasagna bowls)
Each lasagna bowl:
- 2 sheets lasagna pasta
- 3/4 cup 6 oz. water
- 1/2 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup cooked ground beef
- 1/4 cup marinara sauce (60g)
- 1/4 cup small curd cottage cheese (60g)
- 3 Tbsp shredded mozzarella (21g)
- 2 tsp grated parmesan
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions
- Add ground beef to a skillet and cook over medium heat until browned, crumbling into tiny pieces as you go. Season with salt and pepper if desired. (You can prep the beef in advance and keep it stored in the fridge until ready to use)
- Break lasagna sheets into small pieces and place in a wide and large microwave-safe bowl or container. Cover with water and olive oil (The water level needs to fully submerge the pasta, but it should only rise to about halfway up the bowl.)
- Microwave for 2 minutes, stir, then microwave for another 2 minutes. The pasta should be starting to get tender at this point. Stir again then microwave for 1 minute. Drain remaining water and remove pasta from the bowl.
- Add about 1/2 cup cooked beef to the bowl. Spread marinara sauce over top, then add the lasagna noodles, cottage cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Place in the microwave. Cook for 1 minute. Give it a quick stir then cook for another 1-2 minutes or until lasagna is tender and heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with more cheese if desired and enjoy!
Notes
Variations: Use cooked sausage instead of ground beef. To make vegetarian, omit beef (or sub for meatless crumbles or extra veggies) To meal prep: cook lasagna noodles first (according to package directions to al dente, since they will cook more when you microwave them later!), drain and set aside. Cook ground beef and divide between four bowls. Add the rest of the ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until ready to eat.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
