A classic lasagna recipe! This mini lasagna is made with just 2 lasagna noodles and layered with meat, cheese, and sauce. Baked in a small baking dish, this is the best lasagna recipe to serve one or two people.
If you love lasagna but are cooking for one, this mini lasagna recipe is for you! You'll find all of the delicious ingredients found in a classic lasagna recipe but made in a smaller size. This "lasagna for one" features perfectly spiced ground beef, flavorful tomato sauce, creamy cheese, and lasagna noodles. It's hearty, satisfying, and incredibly tasty. Best of all, this mini lasagna bakes in just 30 minutes!
I get many requests from my readers asking me to turn their favorite recipes into single serving versions. I enjoy the challenge of scaling down recipes and I love when I can fulfill a reader's request. You might be surprised to learn that a lasagna recipe for one person is one of my most requested recipes and it certainly surprises me that it's taken me this long to provide one. After all, just about everyone loves a classic lasagna dinner, right?
Why This Recipe Works
- If you're cooking for one or two people, large traditional lasagna recipes are entirely too big. Leftovers are wonderful but no one wants to eat lasagna for a week. The recipe I'm sharing today is a scaled down version of my classic lasagna recipe.
- It's baked in a 5-inch baking dish. Technically, it's made for one person but could very easily serve two.
- This mini lasagna recipe bakes in just 30 minutes. It's the perfect size to serve one or two people.
If you are looking for low carb lasagna recipes please check out our Zucchini Lasagna For One. This easy lasagna recipe is very similar to a classic lasagna but it uses thin strips of zucchini instead of noodles.
RELATED: Single Serving Comfort Food Recipes
What You'll Need
Ingredient Notes
See recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Lasagna noodles: I use 2 lasagna noodles in this mini lasagna recipe. The size of your baking dish will determine how many layers you are able to add. In the pictures shown, I'm using a 5-inch baking dish and I can get one layer of filling between the noodles. You can also break the lasagna noodles in half to create a second layer for the lasagna.
- Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil in this lasagna recipe as well as in every other recipe on One Dish Kitchen that calls for olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed form of olive oil. It is an unrefined oil and the highest-quality olive oil you can buy. Because of the way extra virgin olive oil is made, it retains more true olive taste. It also contains more of the vitamins and minerals found in olives. It's my favorite type of olive oil to use but you may use a lighter olive oil instead.
- Chopped onions and garlic: These ingredients add so much flavor. Cook the onions until they are translucent, about 2 minutes and then add in minced garlic to cook a minute longer.
- Ground beef: I love using ground beef in my lasagna recipe but you could also use ground turkey to lighten up the dish.
- Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper: Spices are necessary and add an incredible amount of flavor. Although we recommend using the amounts shown in this recipe, feel free to add additional amounts if you feel it necessary.
- Tomato or Marinara sauce: Use your favorite brand or use our small batch homemade recipe.
- Mozzarella cheese
- Ricotta cheese: You can use cottage cheese instead, if preferred.
- Parmesan cheese
How To Make This Recipe
- Step 1: Cook two lasagna noodles according to the package directions, drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Cook the meat in a small skillet along with chopped onions, minced garlic, and the seasonings. Add in the sauce and simmer.
- Step 3: Layer the lasagna by lining a small baking pan or oven safe dish with the noodles as shown in the pictures. Top with the meat mixture, sauce, and the cheeses.
- Step 4: Fold the noodles over the meat mixture.
- Step 5: Top with the sauce, Mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese; bake for 30 minutes.
RELATED: Best Soup Recipes For One
Expert Tips
- This lasagna recipe is made with Ricotta cheese but you can substitute with cottage cheese.
- Although this lasagna recipe calls for using ground beef, consider replacing half of the beef with ground pork for added flavor.
- Bake the lasagna in a dish that is about 5-inches in diameter or use a dish of a similar size. A mini loaf pan or large ramekin will work well.
- After the lasagna has cooked, let it set on the counter for at least 15 minutes before eating.
- I used a 5-inch dish in this mini lasagna recipe. If the cooking vessel you use is deeper or longer, you might be able to add another lasagna noodle to your recipe. Just keep in mind that you don't want to use a dish that is too much larger than the one suggested. It could result in a dryer lasagna.
This lasagna recipe makes one large serving or can be a meal for two people if served with a side salad or vegetable.
RELATED: Apple Recipes For One
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, we love our mini zucchini lasagna. Leave the noodles out altogether and use zucchini instead. This veggie lasagna recipe features the same fabulous flavors but with fewer carbs and calories. It's made with thin slices of zucchini.
You can see the baking dishes used in this and all of our recipes on our bakeware page.
What To Do With Leftover Ingredients
You might like to consider using any ingredients that have left over from this recipe in any of these single serving recipes:
- Ground beef: Pita Pizza, Goulash, Taco Salad, Taco Casserole, Juicy Lucy, Chili
- Tomato sauce: Giant Italian Meatball, Eggplant Parmesan, French Bread Pizza.
- Mozzarella cheese: Chicken Margherita, Baked Chicken Caprese, Italian Pasta Salad.
- Ricotta cheese : Baked Ziti.
If you would like additional information on the dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page. For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
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!
Ingredients
- 2 lasagna noodles
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 8 ounces ground beef or ground turkey
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup Ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese plus extra for sprinkling over the top
- 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
How To Video
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the oil in a medium-sized skillet over a medium heat. Add in the onions and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add in the minced garlic and cook, stirring occasionally for a minute more.
- Add the ground beef to the pan and sprinkle the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the meat. Cook and stir the ground beef until meat is no longer pink.
- Stir in 1/2 cup of tomato sauce, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, stir the ricotta and 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese together in a small bowl. Set the bowl aside.
To Assemble The Lasagna
- Spread 3 tablespoons of the sauce into the bottom of a lightly greased small baking dish. Line the bottom of the baking dish with noodles.NOTE: If you are using unbroken lasagna noodles, they will drape over the sides of the baking dish.
- Top the noodles with the meat sauce, followed by the Ricotta mixture, and 1/2 of the shredded Mozzarella.
- Fold the noodles over the meat mixture to cover.
- Top with the remaining sauce, Mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
- Place the baking dish on a large baking sheet (to catch any spillage) and place in the oven to bake for 30 minutes or until cheese on top has melted.
Notes
- This lasagna recipe is made with Ricotta cheese but you can substitute with cottage cheese.
- To keep it simple, you can use jarred tomato sauce or you can make your own with our Small Batch Tomato Sauce recipe.
- Although this lasagna recipe calls for using ground beef, consider replacing half of the beef with ground pork for added flavor.
- Bake the lasagna in a dish that is about 5-inches in diameter or use a dish of a similar size. A mini loaf pan or large ramekin will work well.
- After the lasagna has cooked, let it set on the counter for at least 15 minutes before eating.
- I used a 5-inch dish in this lasagna recipe. If the cooking vessel you use is deeper or longer, you might be able to add another lasagna noodle to your recipe. Just keep in mind that you don't want to use a dish that is too much larger than the one suggested. It could result in a dryer lasagna.
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.
I would like to make this recipe for 2. Would an 8×8 pan work if I double it?
Yes, it should work just fine.
Enjoy!
I’am looking forward to finding recipes meant for 1.
I think this is just great !! Perfect for passing on too Senior indepedant housing can’t wait to see more!!!
Thank you so much, Janet.
Great tasting little lasagna. It actually fed my husband too. Most the time he is on a special diet due to health reasons so that’s why your site is a blessing. I fix his meals and then I can treat myself if I don’t want what he is eating. Him being an alfredo pasta person I was shocked he like it that well, but he enjoyed this one. Thanks for making recipes for one and maybe even two.
I’m so happy you both enjoyed the lasagna, Linda. Thank you so much for letting me know!
Looking at recipe I would make it into layers with sauce, meat, cheese and another layer of noodle topped with another layer of meat sauce and cheese.
I made this lasagna last night and it was wonderful. It will definitely go into our dinner rotation along with other recipes of yours I have tried. Your recipes are a saving grace for me because our family recipes are all geared toward a large family….6 children, my husband and me. Now that everyone is grown and gone I was having a hard time cooking for two until I found your blog. Thank you….thank you….thank you!
MK
I love how comforting this recipe is! I’ll be making it again and again!
wow amazing recipe i love this also
I love this recipe, thank you!
This looks so cute! I love the idea of making one serving so helpful
That is one adorable tiny lasagna! Love the idea of being able to make just one, or it would be fun to make multiples for a dinner party.