Why You’ll Love Skillet Lasagna Recipe
This skillet lasagna is everything you love about homemade lasagna in a much simpler form. It comes together in just one pan, which means less cleanup and less effort. The combination of ground beef and Italian sausage gives the sauce a deep, savory flavor, while the cheeses make it creamy, rich, and comforting. It is a great choice for family dinners, and it is easy enough to make on a weeknight but delicious enough to serve to guests.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
½ pound lean ground beef
½ pound sweet Italian sausage
1 tablespoon minced garlic
9 full-size lasagna noodles, broken into small pieces
23.75 to 24 ounces jarred pasta sauce
1 ½ cups water
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup ricotta cheese
⅓ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
1 ¼ cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
Directions
In a 10 to 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and sweet Italian sausage. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat apart as it cooks, stirring often until it is fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease, then return the skillet to the heat.
Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, just until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Add the broken lasagna noodles, pasta sauce, water, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir everything together so the noodles are well coated in the sauce.
Cover the skillet with a lid and bring the mixture to a low boil. Once it begins to simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 30 to 35 minutes. Stir often to keep the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the skillet. If the mixture becomes too thick or starts to dry out, add up to ½ cup of extra water as needed.
While the lasagna simmers, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and well mixed.
When the noodles are tender and the sauce has thickened, drop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the top of the skillet lasagna. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over everything.
Turn the heat to low, cover the skillet again, and let it cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Finish with fresh basil and serve hot.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 6 servings, making it a great option for a family meal or for having leftovers the next day.
Prep time is minimal since the ingredients are straightforward and the cooking happens mostly in one skillet. The total time is about 55 minutes, which includes browning the meat, simmering the noodles in the sauce, and melting the cheese on top.
Variations
You can easily change this skillet lasagna to fit your tastes or what you have on hand. Swap the sweet Italian sausage for hot sausage if you want a little more spice. Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used instead of beef for a lighter version. For a vegetarian option, leave out the meat and add sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers.
You can also change up the cheese mixture by adding a little chopped parsley or using cottage cheese in place of ricotta. To make it even cheesier, add extra mozzarella on top before covering the skillet.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover skillet lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let it cool before transferring it to the container to help maintain the best texture.
To reheat, place a portion in the microwave and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through. You can also reheat it in a skillet over low heat with a small splash of water to loosen the sauce and keep the noodles from drying out.
For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, although broken lasagna noodles give the dish its classic feel, other pasta shapes like mafalda, rotini, or bow ties can work in a pinch. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the pasta you use.
Do I have to cook the noodles first?
No, the noodles cook directly in the skillet with the sauce and water. This is what makes the recipe so convenient and keeps cleanup simple.
What size skillet should I use?
A 10 to 12-inch skillet works best for this recipe. A deeper skillet with a lid is ideal so everything fits comfortably and cooks evenly.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it ahead and reheat it when ready to serve. It reheats well and the flavors become even richer after sitting for a few hours.
What can I use instead of ricotta cheese?
Cottage cheese is a common substitute and works well here. Mascarpone can also create a richer texture, though it will slightly change the flavor.
How do I know when the noodles are done?
The noodles should be tender but not mushy. Stirring during cooking helps them cook evenly and prevents sticking.
Why is my skillet lasagna too thick?
The noodles absorb liquid as they cook, so the mixture can thicken quickly. Add a splash of water during simmering if it starts to look dry.
Can I make it spicy?
Yes, you can increase the crushed red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage for more heat.
Can I freeze skillet lasagna?
Yes, it freezes well in individual portions or as a whole batch. Be sure to store it in an airtight freezer-safe container.
What should I serve with skillet lasagna?
A simple green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables pair well with this dish and help round out the meal.
Conclusion
Skillet Lasagna is a simple, hearty meal that brings all the comforting flavors of classic lasagna to the table with much less work. It is rich, cheesy, and packed with flavor, making it a reliable dinner for busy evenings or relaxed family meals. Once you try this one-pan version, it may become your new favorite way to enjoy lasagna at home.
Skillet Lasagna
A hearty, one-pan skillet lasagna packed with savory ground meat, tender noodles, and a rich tomato sauce, finished with creamy and melted cheeses.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Ingredients
- ½ pound lean ground beef
- ½ pound sweet Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 9 full size lasagna noodles, broken into small pieces (about 1 to 1 ½ inches)
- 23.75 to 24 ounces jarred pasta sauce
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (8 ounces)
- ⅓ cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 ¼ cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
Instructions
- In a 10 to 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and sausage.
- Use a wooden spoon to break the meat apart and stir often.
- Once the meat is no longer pink, drain excess grease and return it to the skillet.
- Reduce heat to medium, add minced garlic, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add broken lasagna noodles, pasta sauce, water, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Cover and bring to a low boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking. Add up to ½ cup water if needed.
- In a small bowl, mix ricotta, parmesan, salt, and black pepper.
- Once noodles are tender and sauce has thickened, drop spoonfuls of the cheese mixture over the skillet.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.
Notes
- Break noodles evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Add extra water gradually if the mixture becomes too thick.
- Use part-skim cheeses for a lighter version.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
