This Lasagna won’t last long at your house
This Lasagna won’t last long at your house! is a medium Italian-American recipe that serves 6. 450 calories per serving. Recipe by Cooking With Mr. Cooper on YouTube.
Prep: 20 min | Cook: 1 hr 13 min | Total: 1 hr 48 min
Cost: $21.48 total, $3.58 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil (extra virgin, for sautéing)
- 1 medium Onion (diced)
- 1 Green Bell Pepper (diced)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper (diced)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 lb Ground Turkey (lean)
- 0.5 lb Turkey Italian Sausage (casings removed)
- 1 28 oz can Diced Tomatoes (no‑salt added)
- 2 cups Pasta Sauce (store‑bought marinara)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder (optional)
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne Pepper (adjust heat to taste)
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning (dried blend)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Sugar (balances acidity)
- 1.5 cups Ricotta Cheese (full‑fat)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (chopped)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
- 4 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
- 1 large Egg (beaten)
- 9 sheets No‑Boil Lasagna Noodles (pre‑cooked type)
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
Instructions
Prep Vegetables
Dice the onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and mince the garlic. Set aside.
Time: PT10M
Sauté Vegetables
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green and red bell peppers, and garlic. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
Time: PT5M
Cook Turkey and Sausage
Add the ground turkey and crumbled turkey Italian sausage to the pot. Break up with a spoon and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Season with additional salt if needed.
Time: PT8M
Add Sauce and Simmer
Return the sautéed vegetables to the pot (if removed). Stir in the diced tomatoes, pasta sauce, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Time: PT15M
Prepare Ricotta Mixture
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan, softened cream cheese, and the beaten egg. Mix until smooth.
Time: PT5M
Assemble Lasagna
Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Lay three no‑boil lasagna noodles on top. Spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layers (sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella) until ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of sauce, Parmesan, and mozzarella on top.
Time: PT10M
Bake
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and place in a pre‑heated 350°F oven. Bake for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 5‑10 minutes until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
Time: PT45M
Temperature: 350°F
Rest Before Serving
Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting. This allows the layers to set and makes slicing easier.
Time: PT10M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 450
- Protein
- 30g
- Carbohydrates
- 45g
- Fat
- 15g
- Fiber
- 4g
Dietary info: High Protein, Contains Gluten, Contains Dairy
Allergens: Milk, Egg, Wheat
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Olive Oil: vegetable oil, canola oil
- Instead of Onion: shallot
- Instead of Green Bell Pepper: any green pepper
- Instead of Red Bell Pepper: any red pepper
- Instead of Garlic: garlic powder (1 tsp)
- Instead of Ground Turkey: ground chicken, lean ground beef
- Instead of Turkey Italian Sausage: pork Italian sausage, chicken sausage
- Instead of Diced Tomatoes: crushed tomatoes
- Instead of Pasta Sauce: homemade tomato sauce
- Instead of Garlic Powder: fresh garlic
- Instead of Cayenne Pepper: red pepper flakes
- Instead of Italian Seasoning: oregano + basil mix
- Instead of Sugar: honey (small amount)
- Instead of Ricotta Cheese: cottage cheese (drained)
- Instead of Fresh Parsley: dried parsley
- Instead of Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino Romano
- Instead of Cream Cheese: mascarpone
- Instead of Egg: flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water)
- Instead of No‑Boil Lasagna Noodles: regular lasagna noodles (pre‑boiled)
- Instead of Mozzarella Cheese: provolone
Equipment Needed
- Dutch Oven
- Cutting Board
- Chef’s Knife
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Baking Dish
- Oven
- Measuring Cups
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Cook Turkey and Sausage until fully browned
- Assemble Lasagna with correct layer order
- Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use fresh parsley for a brighter flavor
- Let the lasagna rest before cutting for cleaner slices
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the cayenne or add a pinch of red pepper flakes
Troubleshooting
Sauce is too watery
Simmer longer to reduce, or add a tablespoon of tomato paste
Noodles are soggy
Use no‑boil noodles and do not over‑sauce each layer
Cheese does not melt or brown
Remove foil for the last 10 minutes of baking and increase oven temperature to 375°F if needed
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months
Room temperature: Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the sauce a day ahead and refrigerate
- Assemble the lasagna up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate overnight
- The assembled lasagna freezes well; wrap tightly and bake from frozen, adding 15 minutes to the bake time
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of lasagna in Italian‑American cuisine?
Lasagna became a staple of Italian‑American home cooking after Italian immigrants adapted traditional layered pasta dishes to the ingredients available in the United States, often using meat sauces and generous cheese for a hearty family meal.
What are the traditional regional variations of lasagna in Italy compared to this turkey sausage version?
In Italy, classic lasagna from Emilia‑Romagna uses ragù Bolognese, béchamel sauce, and Parmigiano‑Reggiano, while southern versions may include ricotta and mozzarella. This recipe swaps beef for turkey and adds bell peppers for a lighter, American‑style twist.
How is lasagna traditionally served in Italian households?
Traditional Italian lasagna is served hot, often accompanied by a simple green salad and crusty bread, and is eaten family‑style straight from the baking dish.
During what celebrations or occasions is lasagna commonly prepared in Italian‑American families?
Lasagna is popular for Sunday family dinners, holiday gatherings such as Christmas and Easter, and pot‑luck events because it feeds a crowd and can be made ahead of time.
What makes turkey sausage lasagna special within Italian‑American cuisine?
Using ground turkey and turkey Italian sausage reduces the fat content while still delivering the savory, herb‑infused flavor of traditional sausage, making the dish lighter yet still comforting.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making turkey sausage lasagna?
Common errors include over‑saucing which makes the noodles soggy, undercooking the turkey (which can be unsafe), and skipping the resting time, which leads to messy slices.
Why does this recipe use no‑boil lasagna noodles instead of regular boiled noodles?
No‑boil noodles absorb moisture from the sauce during baking, eliminating the extra boiling step and ensuring the layers stay tender without becoming mushy.
Can I make the turkey sausage lasagna ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna a day ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake it directly from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time, or freeze for up to three months and bake from frozen.
What texture and appearance should I look for when the turkey sausage lasagna is done?
The cheese on top should be golden‑brown and bubbling, and the edges of the lasagna should be slightly crisp. A gentle jiggle in the center indicates the interior is hot and set.
How do I know when the turkey sausage lasagna is fully cooked?
Insert a knife into the center; it should go in with little resistance and the interior should be steaming hot (165°F for the turkey). The sauce should be bubbling around the edges.
What does the YouTube channel Cooking With Mr. Cooper specialize in?
The YouTube channel Cooking With Mr. Cooper focuses on practical, family‑friendly American comfort food recipes that are easy to follow and use accessible ingredients for home cooks of all skill levels.
How does the YouTube channel Cooking With Mr. Cooper's approach to Italian‑American cooking differ from other cooking channels?
Cooking With Mr. Cooper emphasizes quick, budget‑conscious meals and often substitutes lean proteins like turkey for traditional beef, while still preserving classic flavors, unlike many channels that stick to traditional, higher‑fat versions.
Last updated: September 3, 2026






