Lasagna For Two (Loaf Pan Lasagna)

This Lasagna for Two recipe makes two small batch lasagnas baked in loaf pans. Bake them both or freeze one for an easy meal on a busy day.

Like my Freezer Lasagna, this loaf pan lasagna is a great make-ahead meal!

What is a woman surrounded by a bunch of hungry men doing with a recipe called Lasagna For Two? Let me explain.

This scaled down lasagna baked in a loaf pan could also be called “Date Night Lasagna” because it was the perfect thing to have on hand to feed the kiddos when we headed out for a dinner date.

It’s also great for a date night at home when the kids are out with friends. Just whip up an easy side like Lemon Parmesan Salad, a Simple Italian Salad, or Pesto Green Beans for a seriously tasty meal. A quiet house and a yummy dinner can be even better than going out!

Whether you’re empty nesters, have a full house, or are just cooking for one, this recipe is a great way to enjoy lasagna without committing to a huge casserole.

Ingredient Notes

• Ground beef – 90% lean.
• Olive oil
• Vegetables – Zucchini, yellow summer squash, cremini mushrooms, yellow onion, and minced garlic.
• Dried seasoning – Salt, freshly ground black pepper, thyme, oregano, and parsley. Dried seasoning is easy to stock and more potent than fresh herbs.
• Fresh basil – Along with the dried seasoning, I add some fresh basil to brighten up the flavor of the filling.
• Eggs
• Marinara sauce – A jar of your favorite pasta sauce.
• No-boil lasagna sheets – These sheets are just the right size to fit a loaf pan. One package holds more than enough to make two loaf pan lasagnas.
• Cheese – Part skim ricotta cheese, shredded part-skim or whole mozzarella cheese, and shredded Parmesan cheese.

How to Make Lasagna for Two

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Then, sauté the diced onion, zucchini, and yellow squash until barely fork tender.
2. Add the mushrooms and minced garlic and season with salt and pepper. Add the basil and cook and stir for one minute. Transfer the slightly softened vegetables to a plate and set aside.
3. Heat a little more oil in the empty skillet and add the ground beef. Cook, stirring to break up the meat until cooked through. Drain the grease from the pan and add the thyme, oregano, and a little salt and pepper. Cook and stir for one minute then remove from the heat and set aside.
4. In a small mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, eggs, and parsley and set aside.

Assemble the Loaf Pan Lasagna

1. Pour about ¼ cup of marinara sauce each to the bottom of two 8- x 4-inch loaf pans and spread it out.
2. Place one no-boil lasagna sheet over the sauce in each pan.
3. Spoon about ⅓ cup of ricotta mixture over each lasagna sheet and spread it out with the back of your spoon. Then, layer about ½ cup of the meat mixture evenly over the ricotta in each pan. Spoon ¼ cup of the cooked vegetables over the meat in each pan.
4. Sprinkle each lasagna with ¼ cup mozzarella and about 2 tablespoons Parmesan.

1. Repeat the layers two times times, ending with the fourth and final no-boil sheet. Pour the remaining marinara sauce directly over top of the pasta sheet and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
2. Spray the back sides of two pieces of foil with nonstick cooking spray and place them, oil side down, over the loaf pans. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F then remove the foil and bake until bubbly.

Tips for the Best Lasagna for Two

• Loaf pan – These mini lasagnas fit perfectly in an 8- x 4-inch loaf pan. You can use a 9-inch loaf pan as well and the space around the edges will fill in with sauce. Metal and disposable foil loaf pans work great and are both freezer and oven-safe.
• Veggies – You can use any veggies you prefer or leave them out altogether, if you’d like. Don’t overcook the veggies when you sauté them or they can become mushy after baking.
• Rest – Allow them to rest for about 10 minutes after removing from the oven before slicing and serving.
• Lower sodium – You can reduce the sodium in this recipe by using low-sodium jarred sauce.

Make It A Freezer Meal

Assemble and cover the uncooked lasagna tightly with foil as directed above. Then, wrap the entire loaf pan in a second large piece of foil (heavy duty foil is best!). Freeze for up to two months.

When ready to bake, allow the lasagna to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Remove the outer layer of foil and bake as directed, adding about 10 or 15 minutes to the baking time. If baking from frozen, increase the baking time about 30 to 40 minutes.

Storing Leftovers

Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Like most lasagna, this one is very good when reheated after refrigerating. Heat individual servings in the microwave just until warmed though.

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This post was originally published on March 3, 2012. It has been updated with new text and images.