Best 11 Make Ahead Lasagna Recipes

MAKE-AHEAD LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook and crumble beef and sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in marinara and pizza sauces. In a bowl, mix eggs, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley and pepper., Spread 1 cup meat sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with 4 noodles, half of the ricotta cheese mixture, 1 cup meat sauce and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Top with remaining noodles, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight., Preheat oven to 375°. Remove lasagna from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake, covered, 45 minutes. Bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

THE BEST MAKE-AHEAD LASAGNA

Steps:

• FOR THE SAUCE: Heat the oil in a Dutch oven (or large pot) over medium heat until shimmering.
• Add the onions and cook until softened but not browned, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir in the meat, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and cook, breaking the meat into small pieces until the meat loses its raw color but has not browned, about 4 minutes.
• Stir in the cream, bring to a simmer, and cook until the liquid evaporates and only the fat remains, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato puree and drained diced tomatoes (and a splash of your favorite red wine if you feel so inclined).
• Bring to a simmer and cook until the flavors are blended, about 3 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
• FOR THE RICOTTA FILLING: Stir all the ingredients together until combined; set aside.
• TO ASSEMBLE THE LASAGNA: Spread 1 cup of the sauce over the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish (avoiding large chunks of meat).
• Place 3 noodles in a single layer.
• Spread each noodle with 1/3 cup of the ricotta mixture.
• Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzerella.
• Spoon 1 cup of sauce evenly over the cheeses.
• Repeat layering twice more.
• Place the remaining 3 noodles on top, cover with the remaining sauce, and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzerella and the Parmesan.
• TO STORE: Wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and then foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze up to 1 month. (If frozen, the casserole must be thawed completely in the refrigerator, about 24 hours).
• TO SERVE: Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and pre-heat to 400 degrees. Unwrap the dish and cover tightly with aluminium foil that has been sprayed with vegetable oil spray (or use nonstick foil). Place a rimmed baking sheet under the dish to catch any overspill. Bake until the sauce bubbles lightly around the edges, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until hot throughout and the cheese is browned in spots, 25 to 30 minutes longer. Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
• TO SERVE RIGHT AWAY: Follow instructions above, reducing covered baking time to 15 minutes.

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESY TURKEY SPINACH LASAGNA ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook lasagna noodles as directed on package. Drain; rinse with hot water. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add turkey, garlic and Italian seasoning; cook 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until turkey is no longer pink. Stir in 1 jar pasta sauce; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to medium bowl; cool 10 minutes.
• In medium bowl, mix spinach, carrot, ricotta cheese and eggs.
• Spread slightly less than 1/4 cup ricotta mixture evenly along center of each cooked lasagna noodle. Spread 1/4 cup turkey mixture over ricotta mixture, to within 1 inch of one short end. Roll up firmly toward unfilled end. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil. Place roll-ups seam side down in pan; cover loosely with foil. Freeze about 30 minutes or until firm.
• Place frozen rolls in two labeled 1-gallon airtight freezer bags. Freeze up to 3 months.
• To bake 16 lasagna roll-ups, spray two 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dishes with cooking spray. Remove roll-ups from freezer bag; place 8 in each baking dish. Cover with foil; thaw in refrigerator at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Divide remaining jar of pasta sauce between baking dishes, pouring over and down sides of roll-ups. Cover tightly with foil; bake 40 to 50 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil; sprinkle each dish with 1 cup mozzarella cheese; bake 3 to 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Top with basil.

MAKE-AHEAD CREAMY SPINACH LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour with whisk; cook and stir 2 minutes. Slowly beat in broth, whipping cream, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and the nutmeg with whisk. Increase heat to medium-high; heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat.
• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add mushrooms; cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned and any liquid from mushrooms has evaporated. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually add spinach, stirring constantly, and cook until wilted. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 1/4 cups of the cream sauce. Reserve remaining sauce.
• In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, egg, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
• To assemble: Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon 3/4 cup of the sauce into bottom of baking dish. Top with 3 of the lasagna noodles in single layer. Evenly top with 1 cup of the cheese filling and 1 1/3 cups of the spinach mixture. Repeat layers twice, starting with noodles and ending with spinach mixture. For final layer, top with 3 noodles; pour remaining 3/4 cup sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil; bake 20 minutes. Remove foil; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through (165°F in center), bubbly and lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
• To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to be able to lift assembled lasagna out of dish. Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce and spinach mixture 30 to 40 minutes before making cheese filling and assembling lasagna. Stir 2 1/4 cups cream sauce into spinach mixture. Assemble lasagna in dish as directed; cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked lasagna about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen lasagna to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 400°F. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes; remove foil. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through (165°F in center), bubbly and lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

REALLY EASY MAKE AHEAD LASAGNA FOR TWO

Steps:

• Mix all the filling ingredients together reserving 1/2 cup of mozzarella for the top of the lasagna.
• Put 1/2 cup of sauce in the bottom of an 8 x 8 brownie pan or casserole dish (use glass or ceramic).
• layer noodles over sauce and spoon 1/3 of the cheese mixture onto the noodles and then spoon on more sauce.
• Layer noodles for the second layer in the opposite direction, add 1/3 of the filling on top and then more sauce. Repeat until the pan is full.
• Cover the top layer of noodles with remaining sauce and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
• Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• To Bake:.
• Remove the lasagna from the fridge 1/2 hour before baking. Remove plastic wrap and cover the dish with foil. Preheat the oven to 350 and bake about 45 minutes to an hour until the lasagne tests hot. If you like a crunchy top just uncover for about 15 minutes.

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESY BARBECUE CHICKEN LASAGNA ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook lasagna noodles as directed on package. Drain; rinse with hot water. Drain well.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese, 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese and the Cajun seasoning with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. On low speed, add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in chicken and finely chopped green onions. Spread slightly less than 1/3 cup chicken mixture along center of each cooked lasagna noodle to within 1 inch of one short end. Roll up firmly toward unfilled end. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil. Place roll-ups seam side down in pan; cover loosely with foil. Freeze about 30 minutes or until firm.
• Place frozen rolls in two labeled 1-gallon freezer bags. Freeze up to 3 months.
• To bake 16 lasagna roll-ups, spray two 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dishes with cooking spray. Remove roll-ups from freezer bag; place 8 in each baking dish. Cover with foil; thaw in refrigerator at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Pour 1 cup barbecue sauce over and around roll-ups in each baking dish. Cover tightly with foil; bake 40 to 50 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil; sprinkle each dish with 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered 3 to 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with green onion greens. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle with ranch dressing.

MAKE-AHEAD CHICKEN ENCHILADA LASAGNA ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook lasagna noodles as directed on package. Drain; rinse with hot water. Drain well.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese, shredded Monterey Jack cheese and green onions with electric mixer on medium speed 1 to 2 minutes or until blended. Add 1 can enchilada sauce and green chiles on low speed. Stir in chicken.
• Spread heaping 1/3 cup chicken mixture along center of each cooked lasagna noodle, to within 1 inch of one short end. Roll up firmly toward unfilled end. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil. Place roll-ups seam side down in pan; cover loosely with foil. Freeze about 30 minutes or until firm.
• Place frozen rolls in two labeled 1-gallon freezer bags; label. Freeze up to 3 months.
• To bake 16 lasagna roll-ups, spray two 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dishes with cooking spray. Remove roll-ups from freezer bag; place 8 in each baking dish. Cover with foil; thaw in refrigerator at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Divide 1 of the remaining cans of enchilada sauce between baking dishes, pouring over and down sides of roll-ups. Cover tightly with foil; bake 40 to 50 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
• Meanwhile, in 1 1/2-quart saucepan, heat remaining can of enchilada sauce over medium-low heat until hot. Remove foil; sprinkle each dish with 1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese. Bake 3 to 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Spoon remaining sauce over rolls. Top with tomato, sour cream, cilantro and olives.

MAKE-AHEAD WHITE LASAGNA ROLL-UPS WITH TURKEY AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook lasagna noodles as directed on package. Drain; rinse with hot water. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add turkey and salt; cook 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until turkey is no longer pink. Add mushrooms; cook 5 to 8 minutes or until browned. Transfer to medium bowl; cool 10 minutes.
• Stir spinach, ricotta cheese, eggs, Italian seasoning and pepper flakes into bowl with turkey mixture.
• Divide prosciutto into 16 portions, and place evenly along center of each cooked lasagna noodle. Spread slightly less than 1/3 cup turkey mixture over prosciutto, to within 1 inch of one short end. Roll up firmly toward unfilled end. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil. Place roll-ups seam side down in pan; cover loosely with foil. Freeze about 30 minutes or until firm.
• Place frozen rolls in two labeled 1-gallon freezer bags. Freeze up to 3 months.
• To bake 16 lasagna roll-ups, spray two 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dishes with cooking spray. Remove roll-ups from freezer bag; place 8 in each baking dish. Cover with foil; thaw in refrigerator at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Pour 3/4 cup sauce over and down sides of roll-ups in each baking dish. Cover tightly with foil; bake 40 to 50 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil; sprinkle each dish with 1/2 cup cheese. Bake 3 to 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Top with basil.

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESEBURGER LASAGNA

Steps:

• Spray 13×9-inch (3qt) baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 12-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is brown;drain. Stir in tomato sauce, water, ketchup and mustard. Simmer 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl beat egg with whisk or fork. Stir in ricotta cheese and 2 cups cheese blend.
• Spread 1 cup beef mixture over bottom of baking dish. Top with 4 uncooked noodles. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over noodles; top with 1 1/2 cups of beef mixture. Repeat layers once with 4 noodles, remaining ricotta mixture and 1 1/2 cups meat mixture. Top with remaining 4 noodles, beef mixture and 1 cup cheddar cheese.
• Cover with foil; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 350°F Bake lasagna covered 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 25-35 minutes longer or until bubbly. Remove from oven. Cover with foil; let stand 5-10 minutes before cutting.
• Just before serving, top with lettuce, tomato and pickles. Serve with additional ketchup if desired.

MAKE-AHEAD LASAGNA ROLLS

Steps:

• Cook lasagna noodles to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine all remaining ingredients except pasta sauce; mix well.
• Spread each cooked lasagna noodle with a generous 1/4 cup cheese mixture to within 1 inch of one short end; roll up firmly toward unfilled end. Wrap in plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining noodles and cheese mixture. Refrigerate or freeze lasagna rolls.
• To cook one serving, unwrap lasagna roll and place seam side down in microwave-safe bowl; cover with microwave-safe waxed paper. If refrigerated, microwave on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese begins to melt at ends of roll. Spoon 1/4 cup pasta sauce over roll; cover. Microwave on HIGH for 20 to 30 seconds or until thoroughly heated. (If frozen, microwave on LOW for 1 to 2 minutes or until thawed before heating as directed above.) Top with chopped parsley.

MAKE AHEAD LASAGNA

Steps:

• Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions.
• in separate bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese and pesto.
• In large skillet, brown ground beef, draining off any accumulated grease. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Saute' until onion is translucent. Stir in pasta sauce.
• Layer 1 cup beef mixture, 3 noodles, and 2 1/2 cups cottage cheese mixture in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with 3 noodles, 2 cups beef mixture, and 3 more noodles. Top with remaining cottage cheese mixture, 3 noodles, and beef mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese.
• Cover with plastic and then foil. Refrigerate overnight.
• Remove from refrigerator and let set on counter until oven is pre-heated to 375.
• Bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 20 additional minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.