Name: Dutch Oven Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (browned and drained (We like to cook this up at home and store it in a large freezer bag to take camping.)); 5 1/2 oz can tomato paste; 20 oz jar pasta sauce; 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning; 8 oven-ready lasagna noodles (broken into pieces); 2 cups cottage cheese (4%); 2 cups mozzarella cheese (grated)

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Enjoy this cheesy, hearty Dutch oven lasagna recipe cooked to perfection over the campfire — easy to make and packed with flavor for the ultimate camping meal!

A round baking dish lined with parchment paper holds a cheesy, baked Dutch oven lasagna recipe. A wooden spoon rests inside, revealing a portion cut out. The lasagna is topped with melted cheese and sprinkled herbs. A plaid cloth is nearby.

Have you ever tried Dutch oven lasagna? If not, you’re in for a real treat. This cheesy, hearty lasagna cooked to perfection over the campfire is an absolute game-changer for your camping menu.

Not only is it super easy to whip up, but it’s also packed with so much flavor, it’s sure to become a campsite favorite. Grab your Dutch oven, and let’s get cooking!

Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!

A cheesy lasagna baked in a black Dutch oven, lined with parchment paper. A wooden spoon rests in the dish. The text above reads Dutch Oven Lasagna Recipe and below Campfirefoodie.com. The dish sits on a woven placemat.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re a fan of comfort food (and who isn’t?), this Dutch oven lasagna is going to hit all the right spots. It’s loaded with savory ground beef, tender lasagna noodles, and a medley of veggies all layered under gooey melted cheese.

Plus, the best part about cooking it in a Dutch oven over a campfire? That irresistible smoky flavor you just can’t get from your kitchen back home.

Ingredients

Lean ground beef, browned and drained – Savory and filling, we like to cook this up at home and store it in a large freezer bag to take camping.
Tomato paste, pasta sauce, and Italian seasoning – This trio creates a rich, flavorful meat sauce. We often combine this with the beef before camping to make cleanup super easy.
Oven-ready lasagna noodles, broken into pieces – With no boiling required, these noodles soften perfectly as they cook.
Cottage cheese – Creamy and mild, cottage cheese adds moisture and richness to every layer without making the lasagna too heavy. We like to use Dairyland 4%, but any will do.
Mozzarella cheese, grated – Melty, gooey, and totally irresistible. You can sub with Tex Mex or Colby Jack too.

A cast iron pot, perfect for a dutch oven lasagna recipe, is lined with parchment and holds a layer of raw ground meat and tomato sauce. In the background, a bowl of extra sauce with a spoon is ready for the next step.

You can either layer the ingredients or dump them all in together like we do — we’re all about keeping it simple!

Instructions

1. At home, cook the meat and combine it with the tomato sauce, paste, and seasoning. Store in an airtight container for easy transporting until you’re ready to use.

2. Line your Dutch oven with parchment paper (trust me, it makes cleanup easier).

3. In the bottom of the Dutch oven, spread about half of the meat mixture.

Uncooked lasagna noodles are layered atop red meat sauce in a round, parchment-lined baking pan, making this dish reminiscent of a classic Dutch oven lasagna recipe.

4. Top with broken lasagna noodles, making sure each piece lays flat.

5. Add half of the cottage cheese over the top, then sprinkle with half of the mozza.

A round baking pan lined with parchment paper is filled with a saucy mixture and topped with shredded cheese, inspired by a dutch oven lasagna recipe, ready to be baked to perfection.

6. Repeat the layers.

A round baking pan lined with parchment paper, filled with an uncooked dutch oven lasagna recipe topped with a generous layer of shredded cheese, sits on a wooden surface.

7. Place the lid on the Dutch oven and bake over the coals of a campfire for about 45 minutes. Make sure to maintain an even heat for best results. Place hot coals or briquettes on the Dutch oven lid to help with even cooking.

Alternatively, you can bake it in the oven at 350°F for 45-55 minutes.

A round, baked Dutch oven lasagna recipe with melted cheese and tomato sauce sits in a cast iron pan lined with parchment paper on a wooden surface, next to a plaid kitchen towel.

Tips and Tricks

Prep ahead by browning the ground beef at home and storing it in a freezer bag. This saves you time and effort once you’re out at the campsite.
Lining the Dutch oven with parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Break the noodles. You don’t have to worry about breaking them into perfect pieces. Just fit them to the shape of your Dutch oven, and you’re good to go.
Maintain even heat. For the perfect campfire lasagna, maintain heat both on top and bottom of your Dutch oven (a campfire with coals on both sides works best). Rotating the Dutch oven occasionally can help avoid hot spots.
Feel free to add more veggies, like mushrooms and spinach, or extra cheese to customize the lasagna to your liking!

A cast iron pot lined with parchment paper holds a cheesy Dutch oven lasagna recipe with a wooden spoon inside. A serving of lasagna is plated nearby on a white dish atop a patterned cloth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pre-cook the lasagna noodles?
Nope! The sauce and steam from the Dutch oven will soften the noodles as it cooks.

Can I make this lasagna vegetarian?
Yes! Simply substitute the ground beef with more vegetables or plant-based protein. Zucchini, mushrooms, or eggplant make great alternatives.

How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in a cooler for up to three days, and reheat over the fire or with a camp stove.

A serving of cheesy Dutch oven lasagna recipe with meat sauce on a speckled plate, placed on a striped cloth next to a wooden fork, with a pot of lasagna in the background.

There’s nothing quite like gathering around the campfire with friends and enjoying a hearty meal together, and this Dutch oven lasagna is sure to be a hit.

Give it a go on your next camping trip, and let us know how you like it! Until then, happy camping and even happier eating!

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