Dinner Tonight Ideas

Looking for quick, healthy, and flavorful Dinner Tonight Ideas? You're not alone! Juggling work, family, and everything else in between can make dinnertime a real challenge. I get it—I've been there, staring blankly into the fridge at 6 PM, wondering what magic meal I can conjure up in under 30 minutes. That's why I'm so excited to share Dinner Tonight Ideas with you. We focus on recipes that are easy to prepare, packed with nutrients, and bursting with flavor. Ditch the takeout menus and say hello to delicious, homemade dinners that even the pickiest eaters will love!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

My grandmother, Nana Rose, used to make a simplified version of this recipe for us every Tuesday. She called it "Lazy Lasagna," even though it tasted anything but lazy. It was the perfect dish to feed a crowd (which, back then, meant 10 hungry grandchildren!). This Dinner Tonight Ideas version is my attempt to capture that same comfort and family spirit in an even faster, healthier way. It brings back so many happy memories and I know it will become a staple in your household too.

Ingredients

• Ground Meat Mixture:
  • 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Cheese Mixture:
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Other:
  • 9 Oven-ready lasagna noodles
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe

1. Brown the Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion; cook until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
2. Add Sauce: Stir in garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and parsley. Mix well.
4. Assemble Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
5. Layer the Ingredients: Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with half of the remaining meat sauce and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
6. Repeat Layers: Repeat layers: 3 lasagna noodles, remaining ricotta cheese mixture, remaining meat sauce, and remaining mozzarella cheese. Top with the last 3 noodles.
7. Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Uncover and Bake Again: Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the lasagna is heated through.
9. Rest: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving. This helps it hold its shape.
10. Serve and Enjoy: Slice and serve warm. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy your delicious Dinner Tonight Ideas!

Lazy Lasagna Dinner Tonight Ideas

A quick, healthy, and flavorful take on lasagna, inspired by Nana Rose’s simplified recipe, perfect for a weeknight family dinner.

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

Ground Meat Mixture

• 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• to taste Salt and pepper

Cheese Mixture

• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Other

• 9 Oven-ready lasagna noodles
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Equipment

• Large Skillet
• Medium Bowl
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish
• Foil

Method

 

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion; cook until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
   1 pound lean ground beef or turkey, 1 medium onion
2. Stir in garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   2 cloves garlic, 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, to taste Salt and pepper
3. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and parsley. Mix well.
   15 ounces ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
4. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
   9 Oven-ready lasagna noodles
5. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with half of the remaining meat sauce and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
   15 ounces ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
6. Repeat layers: 3 lasagna noodles, remaining ricotta cheese mixture, remaining meat sauce, and remaining mozzarella cheese. Top with the last 3 noodles.
   9 Oven-ready lasagna noodles, 15 ounces ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
7. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the lasagna is heated through.
   2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
9. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving. This helps it hold its shape.
10. Slice and serve warm. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy your delicious Dinner Tonight Ideas!
    1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley