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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Easy Beef Lasagne | Quick & Easy Recipe

    Easy Beef Lasagne | Quick & Easy Recipe

    Published: Aug 25, 2021 · Modified: Aug 25, 2021 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 28 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    a baking dish of lasagne, with a tea towel wrapped around it, with a serving being lifted out

    A quick and easy beef lasagne that's extra cheesy and ready to eat in just 1 hour! And best of all, a time saver, as there's absolutely no need to make a bechamel sauce! The perfect midweek family dinner.

    A baking dish of lasagne, with a tea towel wrapped around it, and a large spoon lifting some out of the dish

    When it comes to classic family favourite dinners, there's no doubt that lasagne is right up there... along with creamy carbonara, chicken, bacon and rice casserole, tuna pasta bake and fried rice!

    This is the ultimate 'cosy food' - perfect for filling up hungry tummies after a busy day.

    And best of all, there's no need to spend hours slaving over a delicious lasagne; my quick and easy beef lasagne is ready in just 1 hour!

    Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

    There's a whole lot to love about this cheesy beef lasagne:

    • Quick & easy - unlike most lasagne recipes, this one requires just 20 minutes prep time and 40 minutes cooking time, so you can enjoy it any night of the week.
    • Family favourite - if you ask kids what their favourite dinners are, it's almost guaranteed that lasagne will be at the top of their list! And who can resist the cheesy, meat and carby-goodness?!
    • Freezer-friendly - make a double batch and pop any leftovers in the freezer for up to 3 months. Lasagne is one of those dishes that reheats beautifully (some would argue that reheated lasagne is even better than when it's straight out of the oven!)
    • Cheat's version - my easy beef lasagne is full of oozy and gooey cheese... without the need to make a bechamel sauce! This saves you so much time and effort, without losing any flavour!
    Lasagne in a baking dish, resting on a tea towel with a serving of lasagne on a plate in the foreground.

    What You Need

    This easy beef lasagne is made using a handful of basic ingredients (many of which you will already have at home):

    Note: scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and a detailed method.

    ingredients for beef lasagne laid out on a marble countertop
    • onion & garlic - use a finely diced brown (or yellow) onion. You can use either store-bought minced garlic or mince your own garlic cloves.
    • beef mince - also referred to as ground beef or ground beef mince.
    • tomato paste - this gives the sauce a rich flavour.
    • tinned tomatoes - choose diced or crushed tomatoes.
    • beef stock - use a liquid beef stock or make your own by mixing 1 teaspoon of beef stock powder through every 1 cup of water.
    • dried italian herbs - I like to use parsley and oregano.
    • cheeses - mozzarella is the secret to this oozy, cheesy beef lasagne! Grated parmesan on top also gives that lovely special flavour hit that you just have to have with a pasta dish!
    • lasagne sheets - I like to use fresh lasagne sheets rather than dried lasagne sheets as they cook much quicker and stay softer and more moist.

    Step By Step Instructions

    It takes just 20 minutes and a few simple steps to prepare my easy beef lasagne.

    Note: scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and a detailed method.

    Step 1 - Sauté

    Add the diced onion and minced garlic to a large frying pan.

    a frying pan with diced onion and minced garlic

    Sauté the onion and garlic until soft and translucent.

    lightly sautéed diced onion and garlic in a frying pan

    Step 2 - Add The Beef

    Add the beef mince, breaking up the clumps with a spoon.

    raw mince added to a frying pan with softened onion

    Cook until the mince is browned.

    mince browned in a frying pan with diced onion

    Step 3 - Cook The Sauce

    Add the tomato paste, tomatoes, beef stock, Italian herbs and salt and pepper.

    stock, canned tomatoes, herbs and seasoning added to browned mince in a frying pan

    Bring to a boil and then simmer (stirring occasionally) for 15 - 20 minutes.

    Lasagne meat sauce cooked in a frying pan

    Step 4 - Assemble

    Assemble the lasagne by adding a layer of sauce to the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

    Top with fresh lasagne sheets and then shredded mozzarella cheese.

    an oval baking dish with beef mince filling layered with lasagne sheets

    Repeat the layers until you have used all of the sauce and lasagne sheets.

    Finish with a layer of mozzarella cheese and add a sprinkle of grated parmesan over the top.

    grated cheese layered on top of a beef lasagne

    Step 5 - Bake

    Bake in a preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until cooked through and the cheese has melted and turned golden on top.

    Tip: If you notice the cheese over-browning too much, add a loose sheet of foil over the top or move to a lower shelf in the oven.

    Serving Suggestions

    You can serve this easy beef lasagne on its own or add one of these delicious sides:

    • Walnut, Pear & Parmesan Salad (my fave!) - a fresh and light salad
    • Homemade Soft Bread Rolls - these soft and fluffy white rolls are amazing served warm from the oven
    • Panzanella - a classic tomato salad
    • Pumpkin, Spinach and Feta Salad - this tasty salad perfectly complements the cheesy lasagne.
    a serving of lasagne on a plate with a fork

    Expert Tips

    Can I add a bechamel sauce?

    Of course! While this lasagne is super cheesy already, you can add a bechamel sauce if you like (this will add to the prep time though).

    What's the best cheese to use in lasagne?

    Mozzarella cheese is what gives this beef lasagne it's oozy, gooey cheesiness without the need for a homemade bechamel sauce. And adding a little grated parmesan to the top gives it a traditional Italian flavour.

    Can I add vegetables to the sauce?

    Yes, absolutely! Add grated vegetables like carrot or zucchini or even a handful of baby spinach to the sauce when cooking.

    Can you reheat lasagne?

    Yes! Some would argue that lasagne is even better once it's reheated. You can reheat lasagne in a low oven or in the microwave.

    Storing

    Store any leftover lasagne in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

    Freezing

    Freeze leftover beef lasagne in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow to defrost in the fridge or microwave before reheating.

    A closeup of a serving of lasagne with a piece on a fork in the foreground

    Related Recipes

    Italian pasta dishes are some of my favourite recipes to cook!

    They're simple, taste delicious and the leftovers are just as delicious reheated.

    Here are a few of my most popular Italian recipes (as voted by my readers!):

    • The Famous TikTok Pasta - this is the recipe that took the world by storm! It's quite literally the easiest, no-fuss pasta recipe EVER! Tomato, feta and basil combine to make a pasta that the whole family will love.
    • Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni - who can resist the creamy spinach filling topped with Italian tomato sauce and cheesy mozzarella?!
    • Pumpkin & Spinach Lasagne - creamy pumpkin sauce is perfectly matched with spinach and pasta sheets to make this tasty vegetarian meal. Meat-free Monday's never looked so good.
    • Italian Beef Ragu Pasta - the rich and tender slow cooked beef falls apart in your mouth making this pasta the ultimate in winter comfort food.

    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel.

    a baking dish of lasagne, with a tea towel wrapped around it, with a serving being lifted out

    Easy Beef Lasagne

    A quick and easy beef lasagne that's extra cheesy and ready to eat in just 1 hour! With no need to make a bechamel sauce, it is the perfect midweek family dinner!
    5 from 25 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 8 serves
    Calories: 341kcal
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 1 tbs olive oil
    • 1 onion finely diced
    • 1 clove garlic crushed or 1 tsp minced garlic
    • 500 g beef mince
    • 65 g (5 tbsp) tomato paste
    • 800 g canned tomatoes
    • 500 g (2 cups) liquid beef stock
    • 2 tsp dried Italian herbs oregano, parsley
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 250 g mozzarella cheese shredded
    • 50 g parmesan cheese grated
    • 375 g packet fresh lasagne sheets

    Instructions

    Conventional Method

    • Heat the olive oil in a saucepan or deep frying pan. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook until soft and translucent.
    • Add the beef mince, breaking the clumps apart with a spoon, and cook until browned.
    • Stir through the tomato paste, canned tomatoes, beef stock and herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
    • Bring to the boil and then cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius (fan-forced).
    • Lightly grease a large baking dish.
    • Spoon ½ cup of the bolognese sauce into the bottom of the prepared dish.
    • Layer with the fresh lasagne sheets and ¼ of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
    • Repeat with the meat, lasagne sheets and mozzarella until you have 4 layers, finishing with a mozzarella layer.
    • Sprinkle over the grated parmesan cheese.
    • Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until cooked through.
    • Leave to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

    Thermomix Method

    • Place the roughly chopped onion and garlic clove for 5 seconds, Speed 7. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
    • Add olive oil and sauté for 2 minutes, 100 degrees, Speed 1.
    • Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef stock, herbs, salt and pepper and cook for 20 minutes, 100 degrees, Speed 1.
    • Add mince through the hole of the lid and mix with the aid of spatula. Cook for 8 minutes, 100 degrees, REVERSE, Speed soft.
    • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius (fan-forced).
    • Lightly grease a large baking dish.
    • Spoon ½ cup of the bolognese sauce into the bottom of the prepared dish.
    • Layer with the fresh lasagne sheets and ¼ of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
    • Repeat with the meat, lasagne sheets and mozzarella until you have 4 layers, finishing with a mozzarella layer.
    • Sprinkle over the grated parmesan cheese.
    • Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until cooked through.
    • Leave to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
    Ingredients Info:
    • Onion & garlic - use a finely diced brown (or yellow) onion. You can use either store-bought minced garlic or mince your own garlic cloves.
    • Beef mince - also referred to as ground beef or ground beef mince.
    • Tomato paste - this gives the sauce a rich flavour.
    • Tinned tomatoes - choose diced or crushed tomatoes.
    • Beef stock - use a liquid beef stock or make your own by mixing 1 teaspoon of beef stock powder through every 1 cup of water.
    • Dried Italian herbs - I like to use parsley and oregano.
    • Cheeses - mozzarella is the secret to the oozy cheesy beef lasagne! Grated parmesan on top also gives a lovely flavour.
    • Lasagne sheets - I like to use fresh lasagne sheets rather than dried lasagne sheets as they cook much quicker and stay softer and more moist.
     
    More Recipe Tips:
    Conventional oven: if your oven is not fan-forced, increase the temperature by 10-20 degrees and keep a close eye on the lasagne while cooking to ensure it is not browning too much.
    Best cheeses to use: mozzarella cheese is what gives this lasagne it's oozy, gooey cheesiness without the need for a homemade bechamel sauce. Adding a little parmesan to the top gives is a traditional Italian flavour.
    Adding vegetables: you can add grated carrot and zucchini or baby spinach to the tomato beef sauce if you like.
    Reheating: you can reheat lasagne in a low oven or in the microwave.
    Storing: store any leftover lasagne in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
    Freezing: freeze leftover lasagne in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow to defrost in the fridge or microwave before reheating.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 630mg | Potassium: 727mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 12.5mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 3.3mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jo

      February 14, 2021 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely amazing! So quick and easy too!

      Reply
      • Lucy

        February 15, 2021 at 7:26 am

        I'm so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    2. Tamara

      December 07, 2020 at 4:02 am

      Sounds yum! Can you use Passata sauce instead of the tin tomatoes ? Or which type of tin should you use?

      Reply
      • Lucy

        December 07, 2020 at 6:45 am

        Absolutely! Just choose a tomato based pasta sauce like Napoletana or similar. If using tinned tomatoes, use crushed or diced.

        Reply
        • Tamara

          December 08, 2020 at 8:46 am

          It was delicious! Baby loves it too!

          Reply
          • Lucy

            December 09, 2020 at 5:44 am

            Yay! Thank you so much x

            Reply
    3. Karen

      August 30, 2019 at 9:50 pm

      5 stars
      I’m known in my family as the lasagne disaster! Finally a recipe thatsucceeded for me and that my family loved. Thank you! I added chopped pumpkin and zucchini at step 3, then gave it a quick blitz before adding the mince. Family had no idea there where Veges in it...winner all round!

      Reply
      • Lucy

        August 31, 2019 at 8:02 am

        Yay that's so awesome!!!

        Reply
    4. Crystal

      February 09, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      5 stars
      Love this!! I still make the bechamel and use in between layers and on top as well, but have been looking for a perfect meat recipe to put with it and this is the best!! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Lucy Mathieson

        February 10, 2019 at 11:56 am

        Yay! That's so awesome to hear Crystal! Thank you 🙂

        Reply
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