This 5-ingredient oven baked lasagna dessert is the kind of easy pantry-style recipe that feels almost too simple to work, but somehow turns into a warm, bubbly treat everyone wants seconds of. Using dry uncooked lasagna noodles keeps prep incredibly low, which is exactly the sort of shortcut that makes weeknight baking feel realistic when life is busy. The idea borrows the layered look of classic lasagna, but turns it into a sweet baked dessert with soft noodles and rich, comforting flavor.
Serve this dessert warm on its own or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped topping, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for something a little extra. It also pairs nicely with fresh strawberries, sliced bananas, or a hot cup of coffee if you are serving it after dinner or at a casual weekend get-together.
5-Ingredient Oven Baked Lasagna Dessert
Servings: 8
Ingredients
9 dry uncooked lasagna noodles
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups milk
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch oven-safe glass baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
3. Pour a thin layer of milk into the bottom of the baking dish. Arrange 3 dry lasagna noodles over the milk in a single layer.
4. Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Repeat the layers two more times with noodles, milk as needed, and ricotta mixture, finishing with the remaining cinnamon-sugar ricotta on top. Pour the rest of the milk evenly around and over the layers so the noodles can soften as they bake.
5. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more, until the noodles are tender and the top is lightly golden.
6. Let the dessert rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving so the layers can set up a bit.
Variations & Tips
Add vanilla: If you have it on hand, stir 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the ricotta mixture for a warmer bakery-style flavor.
Make it fruitier: Thinly sliced bananas or strawberries can be tucked between the layers for a sweeter, more dessert-like version that feels a little special.
Watch the liquid: Since the noodles start dry and uncooked, make sure they are well moistened with the milk. If your noodles still seem firm near the center, add a small splash more milk, cover again, and bake a bit longer.
Let it rest before cutting: This is one of those recipes that slices much better after a short rest. It is tempting to dig in right away, but 10 to 15 minutes makes a big difference.
Serve it your way: For a more dessert-style finish, dust the top with a little extra cinnamon and sugar after baking or serve with ice cream for a simple upgrade.