Microwave Lasagna

Whether you’re in the midst of a kitchen renovation or living in a college dorm, you can do so much more with a microwave than heat frozen entrees and leftovers. In fact, you can cook an entire pan of meat-and-cheese lasagna in the microwave, from start to finish.

With a meaty spaghetti sauce, tender noodles and loads of cheese, this microwave lasagna recipe comes together in less than half the time of oven-baked lasagna. Even with access to an oven, you may find yourself cooking lasagna in the microwave to satisfy an Italian craving without the wait!

Start by cooking ground beef in the microwave, then mix the meat with jarred spaghetti sauce and pantry seasonings. Layer the sauce with creamy cottage cheese, shredded mozzarella and uncooked lasagna noodles (they’ll steam in the microwave). Finally, microwave the dish until the noodles are tender and the cheese is melty.

Ingredients for Microwave Lasagna

• Ground beef: Our meat sauce begins with a package of ground beef, but you could use ground chicken, turkey, Italian sausage or a combination. Before microwaving the meat, use a spoon to break it into chunks to help it cook evenly.
• Spaghetti sauce: A jar of spaghetti sauce makes this microwavable lasagna quick and easy to assemble. Choose one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite pasta sauce brands, or you can use a homemade sauce that you meal-prepped in advance.
• Seasoning: We add extra Italian flavor to our lasagna with a pinch of dried basil and garlic powder in the sauce and minced parsley in the cheese filling. You could swap in fresh basil or parsley if you have them—it’s one of our tricks to make store-bought sauce taste homemade.
• Cottage cheese: Cottage cheese is a higher-protein option over traditional ricotta cheese filling. If you’re not a fan of cottage cheese, swap in 2 cups of ricotta for a smoother texture and richer flavor.
• Egg: Not every lasagna recipe calls for an egg, but our favorite recipes do! Stirring a beaten egg into the cottage cheese helps prevent the cheese filling from seeping out when you slice the lasagna. Don’t worry—your lasagna won’t taste like a breakfast casserole!
• Uncooked lasagna noodles: You don’t need to boil the noodles before assembling the lasagna. Instead, we add 1/2 cup of water to the dish to ensure there’s enough liquid for the noodles to absorb.
• Mozzarella cheese: What’s a lasagna without ooey-gooey mozzarella? This microwave lasagna recipe calls for shredded cheese, but mozzarella slices work too.

Directions

Step 1: Microwave the ground beef

Place the ground beef in a shallow microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high for three minutes, then stir it and break the meat into crumbles. Cook for two minutes longer or until the meat is no longer pink. Drain any accumulated grease.

Editor’s Tip: The dish will get hot in the microwave, so be sure to use oven mitts when you take it out.

Step 2: Combine the meat and spaghetti sauce

Add the spaghetti sauce, basil and garlic powder to the ground beef and stir to combine. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid and microwave for two minutes or until warm. Set aside.

Step 3: Mix the cheese filling

Mix the cottage cheese, minced parsley, beaten egg and pepper in a clean bowl.

Step 4: Assemble the lasagna

Grease a microwave-safe 11×7-inch dish with cooking spray or butter. Spread 1/2 cup meat sauce across the bottom of the dish. Layer with three lasagna noodles, half the cottage cheese mixture, half the remaining meat sauce and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.

Layer the remaining noodles, cottage cheese mixture and meat sauce, then pour 1/2 cup water along the short edges of the lasagna.

Editor’s Tip: If you plan to store the unbaked lasagna to cook later, wait to add the water until just before microwaving.

Step 5: Microwave the lasagna

Cover the dish with parchment or waxed paper. Microwave on high for 10 minutes. Rotate the dish and microwave for 10 minutes longer until the noodles are tender.

Uncover the lasagna and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella on top. Replace the cover and microwave for two minutes or until the cheese melts. Let the lasagna stand for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Editor’s Tip: Covering the lasagna prevents splatters and traps steam and moisture, allowing the noodles to cook without preboiling. For an alternative, use a microwave-safe glass dish with a lid or look for a microwaveable silicone cover designed to fit casserole dishes.

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

Microwave Lasagna Variations

• Make mine a veggie lasagna: Make a meatless lasagna by replacing the ground beef with sauteed mushrooms, eggplant, zucchini or bell peppers, or use a combination of meat and veggies. I love the texture of both in my sauce!
• Vary the cheese: Use ricotta instead of cottage cheese, or add Provolone to the mix for sharper flavor. You can also layer grated Parmesan with the mozzarella for a different cheesy flavor.
• Try a white lasagna: Swap in a jar of Alfredo sauce for the spaghetti sauce and use ground turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef. Use this chicken Alfredo lasagna recipe for inspiration.

How to Store Microwave Lasagna

Allow the lasagna to cool, then tightly cover the dish with storage wrap and refrigerate the leftovers. If you prefer, you can also transfer individual slices to an airtight container. The lasagna will last for up to four days.

Can you freeze microwave lasagna?

You can freeze the lasagna, cooked or uncooked, for up to three months. After microwaving, allow the lasagna to cool completely. Wrap the entire dish with plastic wrap and cover the top with aluminum foil. If you’re freezing an uncooked lasagna, assemble it in the dish you’ll microwave it in and wrap the dish the same way.

You can reheat the lasagna from frozen or thaw it overnight in the fridge the day before you want to heat and serve it.

Can you make microwave lasagna ahead of time?

Whether you’re microwaving or baking lasagna, lasagna recipes are super make-ahead friendly! You can assemble this best microwave lasagna recipe up to two days in advance. When you’re ready to eat, set it on the counter for 30 minutes and follow the instructions to microwave it. You can also store the entire cooked lasagna in the fridge or freezer and reheat it when ready to serve it.

How do you reheat microwave lasagna?

No surprise here: Microwaving is the fastest way to heat a dish of leftovers or a single serving of lasagna. You could also warm lasagna in a 350°F oven or an air fryer.

Microwave Lasagna Tips

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

How long does it take to cook lasagna in the microwave?

Most microwaves can cook lasagna in about 20 minutes. Note that this doesn’t include the time needed to cook the ground beef and warm the sauce. Depending on your microwave’s wattage, you may need to add or subtract a few minutes to warm the lasagna through the center. A frozen or refrigerated lasagna may also need a few extra minutes.

What kind of dish should you use to cook lasagna in the microwave?

This recipe calls for a microwave-safe dish that measures 11×7 inches. A shallow, casserole-style dish with a higher lip is perfect for lasagna. We prefer durable glass or microwave-safe ceramic dishes over plastic for microwave cooking; they resist staining and won’t warp or break down over time, and you don’t have to worry about funky plastic chemicals leaching into your food.

Can you substitute another type of meat for the ground beef?

Yes, you can make this lasagna with ground turkey, Italian sausage or plant-based meat crumbles instead of ground beef. To save time, you can also crumble precooked frozen or homemade meatballs into the spaghetti sauce.

What can you serve with microwave lasagna?

Meaty and cheesy, the best microwave lasagna recipe is filling and rich, so it pairs well with lighter, veggie-forward sides. Try a simple green salad, steamed green beans or air-fried vegetables. Pick up a loaf of crusty Italian bread to serve with olive oil dip or to turn into savory garlic bread.