Creamette Lasagna Recipe: Easy, Cheesy, Family Favorite

Name: Creamette Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef or sausage; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; Pinch of salt and pepper; 24 oz pasta sauce; ½ cup water or broth; 2 cups ricotta or cottage cheese (or blend both); 1 beaten egg; ½ cup grated parmesan; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; Salt & pepper to taste; 9 Creamette lasagna noodles; Shredded mozzarella cheese (for layers and topping)

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If you’ve ever longed for that bubbling, cheesy lasagna your mom used to make — the kind that filled the kitchen with warmth and garlic-scented comfort — this Creamette lasagna recipe will bring you back. Built on the nostalgic box recipe but upgraded with simple tweaks, it’s perfect for busy nights, freezer prep, or impressing a crowd with something familiar yet unforgettable.

👩‍🍳 This recipe is rooted in Creamette’s iconic box tradition — a staple of Midwestern kitchens since the 1950s, revived here with modern flavor know-how.

Table of Contents

Creamette Lasagna Recipe Ingredient Breakdown (With Origins or Substitutes)

Which Creamette Noodles Work Best?

Creamette’s classic lasagna noodles have a slightly firmer texture that holds up beautifully in layered bakes. You can also use their oven-ready version for faster prep — ideal for nights when boiling pasta feels like too much.

That said, oven-ready noodles tend to soften more during baking and result in a slightly silkier bite. If you want a more structured stack that holds when sliced, stick with the classic boil-first variety.

Choosing the Right Meat

Traditionally, this recipe uses ground beef, which brings that familiar hearty flavor everyone expects from lasagna. But don’t hesitate to swap in:

Ground turkey for a leaner take
Mild Italian sausage for a subtle fennel-spiced kick
A 50/50 blend for balance

🌿 Chef Tip: Just like the original Creamette box recipe — and echoed by competitors — simmering your meat in sauce for 10–15 minutes enhances depth and keeps the filling juicy.

Ricotta vs Cottage Cheese: What’s Better?

Ask a Midwesterner what cheese belongs in lasagna, and many will answer: cottage cheese. It’s what Creamette used in its classic box recipe, and it gives the filling a light, creamy texture that feels nostalgic.

But ricotta has its place, especially if you’re after richness. I often mix the two — with one egg, grated parmesan, salt, pepper, and a handful of fresh parsley — to get the best of both worlds.

Vegetables That Add Color & Balance

While not traditional in the original recipe, I love layering in roasted or sautéed vegetables to balance out the richness:

Zucchini slices (especially thin ribbons)
Baby spinach, wilted and squeezed dry
Sautéed mushrooms for an earthy, umami boost
Caramelized fennel or onions for sweet complexity

It’s a simple way to stretch the dish and make it feel lighter — while sneaking in veggies for picky eaters.

Homemade or Jarred Sauce?

A tomato sauce with bold garlic and basil notes is essential here. You can use:

A favorite store-bought jar (Rao’s or Classico are solid picks)
Or simmer your own with crushed tomatoes, garlic, and a pinch of sugar

Here’s a small upgrade tip I borrowed from Creamette’s box recipe and competitors: add ½ cup of water or broth to the sauce if you’re using oven-ready noodles. This prevents the final dish from drying out during baking.

And for a fun twist: stir in a splash of cream or béchamel for a richer, mellow finish.

Bechamel Sauce Option for a Creamy Twist

If you’re used to American-style lasagna with ricotta, trying a white sauce version can be a game-changer. In traditional Italian lasagne al forno, a silky béchamel replaces the cheese filling entirely.

Layering tomato sauce with béchamel creates a lasagna that’s both luxurious and balanced. I save this version for holidays — it feels a little fancier and pairs beautifully with wine.

Keto or Low-Carb Swaps

Lasagna on a low-carb diet? Absolutely doable. Here’s how:

Swap noodles for thin zucchini slices or grilled eggplant
Use ricotta, eggs, and parmesan — all keto-friendly
Choose meat-heavy fillings like ground beef, turkey, or Italian sausage
Skip sweetened jar sauces — use sugar-free or homemade versions

This version bakes beautifully in a casserole dish and satisfies just like the original — no carb crash required.

Creamette Lasagna Recipe Step-by-Step Preparation Instructions

Prep the Noodles Like a Pro

Boil your Creamette noodles for about 10 minutes or until just al dente — they’ll finish softening in the oven. If using no-boil noodles, skip the pot and layer them dry, just as you would in the creamette oven ready lasagna recipe.

The classic box version uses three layers of noodles — usually 9 sheets total. Use this as a guide if you’re unsure about portioning.

Build a Rich Meat Sauce

Brown 1 pound of ground beef or sausage with:

1 teaspoon minced garlic
Pinch of salt and pepper

Once browned, stir in:

24 oz pasta sauce
½ cup water or broth

Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes to meld flavors and slightly reduce. This step deepens the savory base — a simple but powerful tip Creamette has used for decades.

Make the Cheese Mixture Creamy & Flavorful

In a medium bowl, mix:

2 cups ricotta or cottage cheese (or blend both)
1 beaten egg
½ cup grated parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Salt & pepper to taste

This creamy filling should be spoonable but not runny. The egg helps it set during baking.

How to Layer Lasagna Like a Chef

Here’s the classic stack (repeat twice for three layers total):

Spread 1 cup meat sauce on the bottom of your 9×13″ dish
Lay 3 noodles horizontally
Spoon half the cheese mixture
Add a layer of meat sauce
Sprinkle mozzarella

Repeat. Top the final layer with noodles, the last of the meat sauce, and more shredded mozzarella.

Flavor Layering Tips for Richer Results

Always start with sauce to prevent noodles from sticking
Spread cheese all the way to the edges for even bites
Add a pinch of herbs or chili flakes between layers for warmth
Use both grated and sliced mozzarella for melt + stretch

These small moves turn an average lasagna into a craveable one.

Bake It Perfectly

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cover the lasagna with foil (don’t let it touch the cheese) and bake for 45 minutes.

Then, uncover and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.

This method mirrors the classic Creamette time/temp, but you can adjust 5–10 mins based on your oven.

Rest Before Serving

Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set and keeps it from collapsing into a cheesy puddle.

Top with chopped basil or parsley before serving for a fresh touch.

👩‍🍳 Chef Tip: Place a baking sheet under your lasagna dish — bubbling cheese can overflow and make a mess. This one step has saved my oven more times than I can count.

Best Time to Serve & Pairing Ideas

Perfect for Every Occasion

There’s no wrong time for a hearty lasagna — but this one shines during:

Family dinners when you want to feed a crowd with minimal fuss
Sunday night comfort meals with a glass of wine and leftovers for Monday
Holiday gatherings or potlucks where a bubbling dish is guaranteed to impress
Meal prep days — bake one, freeze one, and thank yourself later

Its freezer-friendly nature makes it especially great for gifting to new parents or neighbors in need of a warm meal.

Side Pairings to Elevate the Dish

Pair this lasagna with:

Garlic bread or buttery herb rolls
Caesar salad with crisp romaine and parmesan
Roasted broccoli or green beans for a lighter counterbalance
Red wine like Chianti or Montepulciano for a cozy dinner feel

Why You’ll Love It

Flavor That Feels Like Home

There’s something deeply comforting about a bubbling pan of lasagna — the smell of garlic and tomato sauce, the stretchy mozzarella, the crispy edges.

This dish delivers all the comfort of the original Creamette box recipe but with a few flavorful tweaks that elevate it from nostalgic to craveable.

Customizable for Every Diet

Whether you’re trying to eat clean or accommodate dietary needs, this recipe flexes easily:

Vegetarian: Omit meat and add mushrooms or roasted veggies
Low-carb: Use zucchini or eggplant instead of pasta
High-protein: Add extra eggs and use turkey sausage
Kid-friendly: Layer in shredded carrots or spinach between sauce and cheese

It’s the kind of base recipe that adapts beautifully without sacrificing flavor.

Make-Ahead & Freezer-Friendly Lasagna

I always double this recipe when making it — one for now, one for later.

To refrigerate: Assemble and cover tightly with foil. Store for up to 24 hours before baking.
To freeze: Assemble (uncooked), cover with plastic + foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
To bake from frozen: Bake at 375°F covered for 60–70 minutes, uncover for last 15 minutes.

Freezer lasagna is a gift to your future self.

Nostalgic & Modern in One Pan

“I still remember watching my grandma assemble this Creamette lasagna in her tiny kitchen — no measurements, just intuition. She always used cottage cheese because that’s what was on the box, and it worked.”

This version keeps that nostalgic heart while embracing updated flavors, better cheese blends, and smart shortcuts for today’s cook.

Tips, Tweaks & Common Mistakes

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Overcooking noodles before baking — they’ll turn to mush
Skipping rest time after baking — your layers will slide apart
Using watery sauce without simmering it down — leads to a soggy bottom

Little adjustments go a long way here.

Smart Shortcuts for Busy Cooks

Use oven-ready noodles to skip the boiling step
Buy pre-shredded cheese — just mix in some fresh-grated parm for flavor
Freeze your assembled lasagna for weeknight ease — future-you will be grateful

These tweaks don’t sacrifice quality — they just save you time.

Want a White Lasagna?

If you’re in the mood for something different, skip the red sauce and go for a white lasagna instead:

Layer with béchamel, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and a sharp cheese like provolone
Add a splash of cream to your filling for extra silkiness
Use herbs like thyme or nutmeg to accent the richness

🎯 Cultural note: Traditional Italian lasagne (like in Bologna) uses béchamel and ragu — no ricotta at all. This Creamette-style version is a true Italian-American fusion.

FAQs

How long do you cook Creamette lasagna noodles?

For the classic version, about 10 minutes until al dente. If using oven-ready noodles, skip the boil — just layer them in dry with plenty of sauce for moisture.

Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?

Yes — and you’d be staying true to the original Creamette box lasagna recipe. Cottage cheese is mild, creamy, and budget-friendly, making it a favorite in many American homes.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can:

Assemble and refrigerate (up to 24 hours)

Freeze it uncooked (for up to 3 months)

Bake straight from frozen with longer cook time (about 60–75 mins)

How should I reheat leftovers?

Oven: Cover and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes

Microwave: Heat slices with a splash of sauce or water to retain moisture

Conclusion

The Creamette lasagna recipe isn’t just dinner — it’s a warm reminder of where we came from and how we cook now. Whether you’re honoring grandma’s layers or blending in fresh new flavors, this dish always delivers comfort in every cheesy bite.

❤️ If it warmed your home, go ahead and pin it or join our list for more family-style comfort food recipes.