Irresistibly Easy Sheet Pan Lasagna: Homestyle Comfort in One Dish

Sheet pan lasagna revolutionizes the classic Italian comfort food with a modern, hassle-free approach to cooking.

Home cooks and busy families can now enjoy the rich, layered flavors of traditional lasagna without spending hours in the kitchen.

The ingenious method transforms the beloved pasta dish into a streamlined, one-pan wonder that simplifies preparation and cleanup.

Layered ingredients bake together seamlessly, creating a deliciously crispy top and perfectly melted cheese throughout the entire dish.

Fresh herbs, quality ingredients, and a clever cooking technique elevate this meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Families and dinner hosts will appreciate the convenience and mouthwatering results of this innovative culinary creation.

Why Sheet Pan Lasagna Is So Convenient And Tasty

• Quick and Easy Family Feast: Simplify traditional lasagna with this sheet pan method that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare components in advance and assemble quickly, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute gatherings.
• Smart Space Saver: Transform a classic layered dish into a single-layer sheet pan masterpiece that maximizes cooking efficiency and minimizes cleanup.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily swap sausage for ground beef, add different vegetables, or adjust spice levels to suit your family's taste preferences.

Ingredients Needed For Sheet Pan Lasagna

• Sausage: Hearty protein that adds rich, savory flavor to the lasagna, preferably using Italian-style ground sausage.
• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy base for spinach mixture, choose full-fat version for best texture.

• Lasagna Pasta, Marinara Sauce: Classic Italian combination providing the classic lasagna structure and tangy base flavor, use no-boil or traditional lasagna sheets.

• Spinach, Onion, Garlic: Fresh vegetables that boost nutrition and add depth, select fresh spinach for best quality.
• Chili Paste/Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the dish.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Melty and sharp cheeses that create golden, crispy top layer, use freshly grated for best melting.

• Olive Oil, Salt: Essential for cooking and seasoning, use extra virgin olive oil for best flavor.
• Pasta Water: Secret ingredient to help sauce bind and create silky texture.

How To Make Sheet Pan Lasagna Step-By-Step

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 425°F. Grab a large sheet pan and give it a quick olive oil massage to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Dance with Spinach

• Minced garlic
• Chili paste or red pepper flakes

Swirl until super fragrant. Add spinach and a pinch of salt, cooking until it wilts like a sad flower. Squeeze out extra liquid, chop it up, and blend with ricotta for a creamy green surprise.

Step 3: Sausage Sizzle

Use the same skillet from before. Drizzle in olive oil and crumble sausage into the pan. Brown those meaty bits until they’re looking golden. Invite chopped onions to the party and cook until they’re soft and translucent.

Step 4: Pasta Prep

Boil a big pot of water with a salt waterfall. Dunk lasagna noodles and cook for just 4 minutes – we want them slightly firm. Fish out the noodles, but save a half cup of that starchy water.

Step 5: Mix and Mingle

• Marinara sauce
• Reserved pasta water
• Cooked pasta
• Mozzarella
• Parmesan

Stir everything until they’re best friends.

Step 6: Layer Like a Pro

Spread the pasta mixture across the sheet pan. Dot the ricotta-spinach blend all over. Rain down the remaining cheese on top.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide into the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Look for a golden, bubbly top. Let it chill for a few minutes before serving up this sheet pan magic.

Simple Tips For Sheet Pan Lasagna

• Customize Spinach Selection: Choose fresh baby spinach for a tender texture or mature spinach for a robust, slightly earthy flavor that adds depth to the ricotta mixture.
• Master Pasta Timing: Cook lasagna noodles just until al dente to prevent overcooking during baking, ensuring a perfect pasta texture that's not mushy or too firm.
• Control Spice Intensity: Adjust chili paste or red pepper flakes based on your heat preference – start with a small amount and gradually increase for personalized spiciness.
• Optimize Cheese Melting: Use freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella for superior melting quality, creating a more luxurious and creamy sheet pan lasagna experience.
• Enhance Resting Period: Allow the lasagna to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking, which helps the layers settle and makes serving easier while maintaining optimal flavor and temperature.

How To Keep And Reheat Sheet Pan Lasagna

• Refrigerate: Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months to maintain best quality and flavor.
• Reheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F, cover lasagna with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, preserving its delicious texture.
• Microwave: For quick reheating, place a single serving on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until steaming hot.

Great Matches For Sheet Pan Lasagna

• Pair with Zesty Italian Red Wine: Choose a bold Chianti or Sangiovese that cuts through the rich, meaty lasagna with its bright acidity and complements the sausage's robust flavor.
• Refresh with Crisp Green Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the lasagna's heaviness and provide a tangy, peppery contrast.
• Match with Herbal Garlic Bread: Create a side of crusty garlic bread topped with fresh basil and parsley to soak up the marinara sauce and add textural crunch.
• Elevate with Roasted Vegetable Side: Prepare a medley of roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant seasoned with Italian herbs to enhance the sheet pan lasagna's Mediterranean profile.

Different Takes On Sheet Pan Lasagna

• Vegetarian Lasagna: Replace sausage with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu, lentils, or mushrooms. Add extra vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant for robust flavor and nutrition.
• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute regular lasagna noodles with gluten-free pasta sheets or use zucchini ribbons as a low-carb alternative. Ensure all other ingredients like marinara sauce are certified gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use cashew ricotta instead of traditional cheese. Swap mozzarella and Parmesan with dairy-free cheese alternatives made from nuts or plant-based ingredients. Choose nutritional yeast for extra cheesy flavor.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Replace lasagna noodles with thin sliced zucchini or eggplant layers. Use low-carb marinara sauce, full-fat ricotta, and increase protein content with ground chicken or turkey instead of traditional sausage.

FAQs For Sheet Pan Lasagna

• Can I substitute the sausage with another protein?

You can replace sausage with ground beef, ground turkey, or even plant-based crumbles for a similar texture and flavor profile.

• Is there a way to make this recipe vegetarian?

Remove the sausage and add extra vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers to maintain the hearty texture. Use vegetable marinara sauce and ensure all other ingredients remain the same.

• What if I don't have fresh spinach?

Frozen spinach works perfectly. Just thaw, drain thoroughly, and squeeze out excess moisture before mixing with ricotta cheese. This will prevent the dish from becoming watery.

• Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the lasagna up to a day ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready. Just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

Sizzling Sheet Pan Lasagna Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Sheet Pan Lasagna brings classic Italian comfort straight to modern kitchen tables with minimal cleanup. Rich layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and melted cheese create a delightful meal you can easily share with family and friends.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, casings removed

Dairy:

• 2 ½ cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella, divided
• 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 red onion, diced
• 1 (5 oz) container baby spinach
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Calabrian chili paste (or ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes)

Pasta and Sauce:

• 1 lb lasagna pasta, broken into 2-inch pieces (or taccole pasta)
• 4 cups jarred marinara sauce

Oils and Seasonings:

• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for pasta water)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to a high temperature of 425°F (220°C) and generously coating a spacious sheet pan with olive oil for optimal non-stick performance.
2. Create a flavor base by sautéing minced garlic and chili paste in a skillet, infusing the oil with aromatic heat. Gently introduce fresh spinach, allowing it to wilt and release its moisture. Carefully drain excess liquid, chop the spinach, and fold into creamy ricotta cheese for a vibrant green filling.
3. Utilize the same skillet to transform the sausage, breaking it into rustic crumbles and browning to develop deep, caramelized flavors. Incorporate diced onions, cooking until they become translucent and sweet.
4. Simultaneously prepare the pasta by immersing lasagna sheets in rapidly boiling, generously salted water. Cook briefly to achieve a perfect al dente texture, preserving a slight firmness. Reserve a small quantity of starchy cooking liquid to enhance sauce consistency.
5. Construct the sauce by combining marinara with the pasta water, cooked pasta, and a generous layer of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Integrate this mixture with the seasoned sausage, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
6. Artfully distribute the pasta mixture across the prepared sheet pan, ensuring even coverage. Delicately place dollops of the ricotta-spinach mixture throughout the surface. Generously sprinkle the remaining cheese to create a golden, crispy topping.
7. Transfer the sheet pan to the preheated oven, allowing the lasagna to transform for approximately 30 minutes. Look for a bubbling, bronzed surface indicating perfect doneness. Allow a brief resting period before serving to let flavors meld and settle.

Notes

• Choose lasagna noodles with ridges to help sauce cling better and create more texture in the final dish.
• Skip boiling noodles entirely by using oven-ready/no-boil lasagna noodles for quicker preparation.
• Replace traditional pork sausage with ground turkey or plant-based sausage for lower-fat or vegetarian alternatives.
• Ensure maximum flavor development by letting the lasagna rest 10-15

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 580
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 31 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg