This no-boil lasagna delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. The oven-ready noodles eliminate the pre-cooking step, while layered cheeses and rich meat sauce create that classic comfort food experience.
I developed this method for busy weeknights when I needed a hearty meal without the fuss. The key is ensuring each layer has enough moisture to soften the noodles perfectly during baking.
What emerges from the oven is a bubbling, golden dish with perfectly tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese in every bite. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table.
The beauty lies in its simplicity—just assemble, bake, and enjoy. This approach works every time.
Ingredients for Great Value Oven Ready Lasagna
No pre-boiling, just great layers waiting to happen. Classic comfort in every bite.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Great Value Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodles 🍝 | 12 pieces | No pre-boiling needed |
| Ground Beef 🥩 | 1 lb | 80/20 blend for flavor |
| Italian Sausage 🌭 | ½ lb | Casings removed, mild or spicy |
| Onion 🧅 | 1 whole | Yellow or white, finely diced |
| Garlic Cloves 🧄 | 4 cloves | Minced for depth of flavor |
| Crushed Tomatoes 🍅 | 28 oz | Canned, with juices |
| Tomato Paste 🍅 | 6 oz | For concentrated tomato flavor |
| Dried Basil 🌿 | 1 tbsp | Crushed between fingers |
| Dried Oregano 🍃 | 1 tbsp | Mediterranean variety preferred |
| Ricotta Cheese 🧀 | 15 oz | Whole milk for creaminess |
| Mozzarella Cheese 🧀 | 8 oz | Low-moisture, shredded |
| Parmesan Cheese 🧀 | 1 cup | Freshly grated from block |
| Olive Oil 🫒 | 2 tbsp | For sautéing aromatics |
| Salt 🧂 | 1 tsp | Kosher or fine sea salt |
| Black Pepper 🌶️ | ½ tsp | Freshly ground for best results |
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The noodles are the hero here—Great Value oven-ready at most Walmart locations. Look for the blue packaging. For the meat, an 80/20 ground beef blend adds richness, and Italian sausage (mild or spicy) deepens the flavor. I grab mine from the butcher counter when I want fresher quality, but the pre-packaged stuff works fine for a weeknight rush.
Out of sausage? Ground turkey or pork blends in seamlessly. No crushed tomatoes? Tomato sauce plus a splash of water gets you close. Fresh herbs can replace dried at triple the amount—just chop them fine. The ricotta is worth splurging on whole milk for that creamy texture (the part-skim version can get grainy when baked).
Assemble this the night before if you’re tight on time—just cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bakes beautifully from cold, and the flavors meld even more. Leftovers keep 4-5 days in the fridge, freezes for 3 months.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Boil Needed: No pre-cooking noodles—just layer and bake. Honestly, it cuts my prep time in half.
- Meaty Richness: The combo of beef and Italian sausage with garlic? That’s the deep, savory flavor that makes this lasagna crave-worthy.
- Feeds a Crowd: Perfect for Sunday dinner or meal prep—this pan always disappears fast.
- Budget Friendly: Great Value noodles plus simple ingredients keep it delicious without breaking the bank.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Great Value Oven Ready Lasagna
Here’s how I build those perfect no-boil layers with maximum flavor in every bite.
Step 1: Brown the Meats and Aromatics
Heat the 2 tbsp Olive Oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 1 lb Ground Beef and 0.5 lb Italian Sausage (casings removed). Break them up with a wooden spoon and cook for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink.
Add the 1 whole Onion (finely diced) and cook for another 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced 4 cloves Garlic Cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. This builds the flavor foundation for your sauce.
Step 2: Build the Tomato Sauce
Stir in the 6 oz Tomato Paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen its flavor. Add the 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes with juices, then season with the 1 tbsp Dried Basil, 1 tbsp Dried Oregano, 1 tsp Salt, and 0.5 tsp Black Pepper.
Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 10-12 minutes until slightly thickened. The sauce should be rich and aromatic, with the herbs fully integrated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 3: Layer the Lasagna
In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom. Arrange 4 pieces of the Great Value Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodles on top (no boiling needed). Spread half of the 15 oz Ricotta Cheese over the noodles, then sprinkle with ⅓ of the 1 cup Parmesan Cheese.
Add another 1 cup of sauce, then 4 more noodles. Repeat the ricotta and Parmesan layers. Top with the remaining 4 noodles, the rest of the sauce, and all of the 8 oz Mozzarella Cheese and remaining Parmesan Cheese.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set and makes serving easier. The noodles should be tender, the cheese melted and slightly browned, and the sauce rich and flavorful.
Pro Tips For Making Great Value Oven Ready Lasagna
- Brown the Meat Well: Cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until deeply browned—about 5-7 minutes on medium-high heat. I learned this the hard way: pale meat makes for a bland lasagna.
- Skip the Pre-Boil: Those oven-ready noodles actually work best straight from the box—just add extra sauce or a splash of water to the layers. After ruining a batch by pre-boiling, I finally trusted the package.
- Drain the Fat: After browning, drain the grease from the beef and sausage mixture. Sounds obvious, but a greasy lasagna is a sad lasagna.
- Layer Sauce First: Start with a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the pan before adding noodles—this prevents sticking and ensures even cooking. My first few attempts had crusty, undercooked edges until I tried this.
Health Benefits of This great value oven ready lasagna
Protein Powerhouse
This dish packs a serious protein punch with 1 lb ground beef and 0.5 lb Italian sausage, delivering about 50g of protein per serving. That’s perfect for muscle repair and keeping you full for hours. I love how hearty it feels after a long day. 💪
Calcium-Rich Layers
The cheese trio—15 oz ricotta, 8 oz mozzarella, and 1 cup parmesan—provides a significant calcium boost. One serving covers about 40% of your daily calcium needs, great for bone health and nerve function.
Lycopene Boost
Those 28 oz crushed tomatoes and 6 oz tomato paste are packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health. Cooking tomatoes actually increases lycopene absorption, making this a smart comfort food choice.
Iron and Zinc
The beef and sausage provide excellent sources of heme iron and zinc. 1 serving delivers about 20% of your daily iron needs, which helps prevent fatigue and supports immune function. I notice I have more energy on days I enjoy this meal.
B Vitamin Complex
You’ll find a full spectrum of B vitamins in this dish, particularly B12 from the meats and cheeses. These vitamins are essential for energy metabolism and brain function. The combination of ingredients creates a nutritionally balanced meal. 🥗
Comfort That Nourishes
Unlike many comfort foods, this lasagna delivers substantial nutritional benefits while satisfying those cravings. The oven-ready noodles maintain the integrity of the dish without sacrificing any of the good stuff. It’s comfort food that actually comforts your body too.
Nutrition Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Do oven-ready noodles really work without boiling?
Yes! They absorb moisture from the sauce during baking. Just ensure enough sauce covers each layer and bake covered for 25 minutes first.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Use 1.5 lbs ground turkey for similar texture. Add 1 tsp Italian seasoning to match the sausage flavor.
Why let lasagna rest before serving?
Resting for 10-15 minutes lets layers set. This prevents a runny mess and makes clean slices possible.
How do I prevent dry edges?
Cover tightly with foil during the first 25 minutes of baking. Add 2 tbsp water to empty corners of the dish.
Trained in classic French technique but raised on slow-cooked ribs and spicy rubs, she blends culinary skill with smoke and soul.
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