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Enjoy a delicious Mini Lasagna, perfectly sized for one or two servings. This small lasagna is made with just two noodles in a mini baking dish, delivering all the rich, classic flavors of traditional lasagna in just 30 minutes.
Featured Comment
“This recipe was so easy to follow and so delicious! I found it much more flavorful than a regular size lasagna.”
– Meghan
A Small Traditional Lasagna
What I really love about this mini beef lasagna is that it captures all the delicious flavors of a traditional lasagna without the hassle of making a huge pan. It’s packed with hearty meat sauce, noodles, and a generous amount of cheese, all in a smaller, more manageable size that’s super quick to prepare.
If you’re as crazy about lasagna as I am, I bet you’ll enjoy our single serving and small batch options! Think along the lines of single serving lasagna soup, lasagna rollups for one, small sheet pan lasagna, mini zucchini lasagna, or mini vegetable lasagna.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this individual lasagna recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Lasagna noodles: These are the foundation of your lasagna. You can use regular or gluten-free noodles. In a 5×5-inch dish, you’ll typically have one layer of filling nestled between the noodles. If you need a second layer, just break the noodles in half!
- Ground beef: This adds a nice, hearty touch. If you want to switch things up, try ground turkey, chicken, lentils, or TVP instead. And don’t forget, any leftovers can be transformed into a delicious single serving cheeseburger soup, mini baked ziti or small batch stuffed peppers.
- Tomato or Marinara sauce: This is what keeps your lasagna nice and moist while packing in flavor. Feel free to use your go-to brand or whip up our small batch tomato sauce recipe.
- Ricotta cheese: It adds that lovely creaminess to the layers. If you’re looking for a lighter option, cottage cheese or soft tofu works great too. Got some extra ricotta? You can use it in small batch ricotta cookies or spinach manicotti for one.
Recipe Variations
Try these simple ways to change up your single serve lasagna:
- Vegetarian: Replace the beef with a mix of chopped spinach, mushrooms, and zucchini. Stir in some ricotta for a deliciously hearty twist.
- Spicy Sausage: Trade out the ground beef for some spicy Italian sausage and pair it with a robust marinara sauce.
- Vegan: Use dairy-free cheese and a plant-based protein like lentils or TVP.
How To Make Lasagna
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a mini lasagna. See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Cook the Noodles: Boil two lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set them aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a small skillet over medium heat, cook the ground meat with the chopped onion, minced garlic, and seasonings until browned. Stir in the tomato sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Place the noodles in the bottom of a 5×5-inch baking dish. Add a layer of the meat mixture, followed by sauce, ricotta, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Fold the Noodles: Fold the edges of the noodles over the filling to create a compact layer.
- Top and Bake: Spread a final layer of sauce over the folded noodles. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
Tips
- Choose the Right Dish: A 5×5-inch baking dish is ideal for this single serving lasagna, perfectly fitting two noodles. If you use a slightly larger or deeper dish, feel free to add another layer of noodles, but avoid oversized dishes as they can lead to a dry lasagna.
- Watch the Bake Time: Make sure to keep an eye on the lasagna while it bakes. Since ovens can vary, you might need to tweak the baking time a bit to get that lovely golden, bubbly top.
- Let It Rest: After baking, let the lasagna sit for a few minutes. This resting period allows the layers to set, making it easier to slice and really brings out the flavors in every delicious bite.
What To Serve With Lasagna
When it comes to serving this delicious beef lasagna, consider these tasty side options:
- Side Salad: A crisp Caesar salad with homemade dressing brings a refreshing touch to the meal.
- Crusty Bread: You can’t go wrong with a small loaf of French bread on the side.
- Sautéed Vegetables: A side of sautéed green beans, lightly tossed with garlic, perfectly compliments the dish and rounds out your dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 5×5-inch baking dish is perfect, but you can also use any small baking dish or oven-safe container that’s similar in size.
Here are a few other options you might consider:
4×6-inch dish: This will give you a lasagna with a thickness that closely matches the original recipe.
6×6-inch dish: This one will create a thinner lasagna because of the larger surface area.
6-inch round dish: A fun choice if you want a different shape while still keeping the essence of the recipe intact.
Absolutely! Just put the lasagna together, cover it tightly, and pop it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just add a few extra minutes if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
Yes, you can definitely freeze lasagna! Just store it in an airtight container and it’ll be good for up to 3 months. To reheat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Before baking, let it sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then bake it according to the recipe instructions.
Let the lasagna cool completely, then cover it and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the oven or microwave when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Yes, double the ingredients and bake in a 6×8 inch or a 7×7 inch baking dish.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this mini lasagna recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Mini Lasagna
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lasagna noodles
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 garlic clove -minced
- 8 ounces ground beef
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ¾ cup tomato sauce
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese -plus extra for sprinkling over the top
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Cook the Noodles: Boil two lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set them aside.
- Sauté the Onions: Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the Meat: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, until no longer pink.
- Add Sauce: Stir in 1/2 cup of tomato sauce, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 3 minutes.
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a small bowl, mix the ricotta with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Lightly grease a small baking dish. Spread 3 tablespoons of the sauce on the bottom. Lay the noodles across the bottom of the dish. Top with the meat sauce, followed by the ricotta mixture, and half of the shredded mozzarella.
- Fold the Noodles: Fold the noodles over the filling to cover it completely.
- Add Final Layers: Top with the remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Choose the Right Dish: A 5×5-inch baking dish is ideal for this single serving lasagna, perfectly fitting two noodles. If you use a slightly larger or deeper dish, feel free to add another layer of noodles, but avoid oversized dishes as they can lead to a dry lasagna.
- Watch the Bake Time: Make sure to keep an eye on the lasagna while it bakes. Since ovens can vary, you might need to tweak the baking time a bit to get that lovely golden, bubbly top.
- Let It Rest: After baking, let the lasagna sit for a few minutes. This resting period allows the layers to set, making it easier to slice and really brings out the flavors in every delicious bite.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This looks good. what size psn would you suggest if one were to double the recipe?
If doubling the recipe, bake in a 6×8 inch or a 7×7 inch baking dish.