Making lasagna from scratch is a lot of work, especially on a busy night. Between boiling noodles, prepping fillings, and layering everything just right, it adds up fast. These recipes skip all of that. You still get the same rich, cheesy flavor without the extra steps. Most of them come together in one pot or a slow cooker, which means fewer dishes and less effort. It’s a practical way to enjoy a classic favorite with half the work.

A close-up of a cheesy baked lasagna in a pan, topped with fresh basil leaves, with a wooden spoon lifting a serving. The lasagna has layers of pasta, tomato sauce, ground meat, and melted cheese.
Photo credit: Begin With Balance.
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Eggplant Zucchini Lasagna

Eggplant Zucchini Lasagna. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This one skips the noodles entirely and uses slices of eggplant and zucchini instead, which bake down into something rich and cheesy. You still get all the flavor you’d expect from a traditional lasagna, but with a fresher, more veggie-forward base that doesn’t involve any stacking or layering.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini Ricotta Bake

Zucchini ricotta bake in a white baking dish.
Zucchini Ricotta Bake. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This bake skips the pasta and uses zucchini and ricotta to build something that feels close to lasagna. It’s all mixed and baked together, with minimal prep and easy cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Ricotta Bake

Lasagna Rollups

Lasagna Rollups. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These butternut squash rollups are stuffed with chicken and spinach, baked in a creamy sauce, and served in individual portions. You still get the lasagna effect, but everything is rolled instead of layered.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Rollups

Italian Stuffed Acorn Squash

Italian Stuffed Acorn Squash. Photo credit: Cupcakes & Kale Chips.

Instead of a baking dish, everything goes into a halved acorn squash. The filling includes seasoned ground beef, marinara, and plenty of cheese, all roasted together until hot and bubbling. It’s a complete dinner that looks impressive but comes together without the extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Italian Stuffed Acorn Squash

Crockpot Lasagna Dip

Crockpot Lasagna Dip. Photo credit: In the Kids’ Kitchen.

This dip takes all the core parts of lasagna and transforms them into a creamy, cheesy crockpot dish you can scoop with bread or serve over pasta. It’s perfect when you want the flavor of lasagna without touching a baking sheet or worrying about layers.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Lasagna Dip

Lasagna Stew

Lasagna Stew. Photo credit: Kelly Neil.

All the comfort of lasagna in stew form. This recipe uses ground meat, pasta, tomatoes, and cheese, simmered in a single pot. It’s a quick way to get a filling dinner on the table without turning on the oven or building anything in a pan.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Stew

Lasagna Stuffed Chicken

Lasagna Stuffed Chicken. Photo credit: Simply Stacie.

Chicken breasts are filled with a ricotta mixture and baked with marinara and mozzarella until melted and golden. It captures the spirit of lasagna while skipping the noodles and pans entirely, making it a solid weeknight option.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Stuffed Chicken

Creamy Lasagna Soup

Creamy Lasagna Soup. Photo credit: Foxes Love Lemons.

This soup brings together everything you love about lasagna—rich tomato flavor, tender noodles, creamy cheese—but does it in a pot with barely any prep. It’s a great way to get all the satisfaction of lasagna without any layering, baking, or waiting around.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Lasagna Soup

Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna

Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna. Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

This one takes full advantage of the Instant Pot to create a hearty lasagna-inspired meal in about 30 minutes. With no layering and barely any chopping, it’s one of the fastest ways to get a comfort food dinner on the table.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna

Instant Pot Lasagna Soup

Instant Pot Lasagna Soup. Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

A pressure-cooked version of lasagna soup that keeps things simple. You throw everything into the pot, and in a short time, you’ve got a bowl of cheesy, tomato-packed soup that tastes like the baked dish but without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lasagna Soup

One Pot Skillet Lasagna

One Pot Skillet Lasagna. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Pasta cooks right in the skillet along with the meat, sauce, and cheese. There’s no need for separate pots or prep work. It’s great when you’re low on time but still want something filling that feels like real dinner.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Skillet Lasagna

Macarronada

Macarronada. Photo credit: Chef’s Pencil.

This Venezuelan pasta bake has a creamy meat sauce and plenty of cheese, baked until golden. It’s rich and over the top in the best way, and like lasagna, it feeds a crowd without requiring the usual prep or structure.
Get the Recipe: Macarronada

Lentil Stuffed Peppers

Lentil Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Balancing Bowls.

These peppers are filled with a saucy lentil mixture and baked with cheese on top. It’s a low-maintenance way to channel lasagna flavors with built-in portions and none of the mess.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Stuffed Peppers

Skillet Venison Lasagna

Skillet Venison Lasagna. Photo credit: Peak to Plate.

This one-pan recipe cooks the noodles, meat sauce, and cheese together from start to finish. Venison adds richness, and the lack of layers means dinner gets to the table faster.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Venison Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna with Cottage Cheese

Skillet Lasagna with Cottage Cheese. Photo credit: Begin With Balance.

This shortcut version skips all the assembly and goes straight to the skillet. You still get the cheesy, saucy result, but with way less cleanup and about half the effort of traditional lasagna.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Lasagna with Cottage Cheese

Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup

Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup. Photo credit: Mommy Evolution.

This soup pulls in mushrooms, spinach, and broken lasagna noodles to mimic the full baked version. It’s creamy, filling, and doesn’t ask much more than throwing everything in a pot and stirring occasionally.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup

Lazy Crockpot Lasagna

Lazy Crockpot Lasagna. Photo credit: Three Kids, Three Cats, and a Husband.

All the main components go straight into the slow cooker—no boiling, no layering, no baking. After just a few minutes of prep, you let it cook low and slow until everything is melted and tender.
Get the Recipe: Lazy Crockpot Lasagna

Slow Cooker Lazy Lasagna Soup

Slow Cooker Lazy Lasagna Soup. Photo credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

This soup cooks all day and builds flavor without needing any attention. It has ground beef, veggies, broken noodles, and a broth that thickens into something hearty. Add cheese at the end and it’s ready to serve.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lazy Lasagna Soup

Chicken and Broccoli Lasagna

Chicken and Broccoli Lasagna. Photo credit: Golden Grace Kitchen.

This recipe combines rotisserie chicken, broccoli, and Alfredo sauce for a creamy lasagna-inspired bake. Everything is assembled in one dish and baked through without needing to build careful layers.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Lasagna

One-Pot Stovetop Lasagna

One-Pot Stovetop Lasagna. Photo credit: Foodess.

All the ingredients come together in a single pot, right on the stove. You get saucy pasta, melted cheese, and that lasagna feel, but without heating up the kitchen or using multiple dishes.
Get the Recipe: One-Pot Stovetop Lasagna

White Lasagna Soup

White Lasagna Soup. Photo credit: Nuts and Twigs.

A dairy-based soup packed with pasta and vegetables, made to mimic the feel of white lasagna without the time commitment. It’s creamy, rich, and comes together in one pot.
Get the Recipe: White Lasagna Soup

Zucchini Lasagna Rolls

Zucchini Lasagna Rolls. Photo credit: Marathons and Motivation.

Thin slices of zucchini are rolled up with a ricotta and spinach filling, then baked in marinara and cheese. They give you the flavor and structure of lasagna without needing to boil pasta or build layers.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Lasagna Rolls

Founder and Writer at  | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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