If you’re hunting for a new favorite, my skillet lasagna recipe is the one you need right now. Some days I want real home-cooked flavor, but honestly, patience is not always my strongest suit.
I need food fast (like, no nonsense waiting by the oven for a full hour). And washing two dishes? Nah. This skillet lasagna recipe hits the sweet spot: cozy, shockingly easy, and you only need one pan. No lie, I make this constantly when life feels like a stampede through dinnertime.
skillet lasagna recipe
How to Make Skillet Lasagna Step-by-Step Photos
So, let’s jump into how I make this. I usually start with ground beef, but sometimes I sub in sausage for a little extra pep—my brother swears by that, and who am I to argue? Brown the meat in a big, heavy skillet. I mean, one of those pans that feels like it could survive a tornado. Toss in onion and garlic. Nothing wild here, just classic smells that remind you you’re about to be well-fed.
Now for the lazy-bones magic: break up uncooked lasagna noodles right into the pan. Add a jar of marinara and about a cup or so of water. I try not to stress too much if my measurements are off. Sometimes it’s more “eyeball” than anything else, and that’s okay. Bring that to a simmer, stir it now and then (no one likes burnt noodles), and let the noodles get soft right in the sauce. Once they’re cozy and halfway there, drop on a few spoonfuls of ricotta. Don’t overthink this part.
Cheese on top. Mozzarella, and if you feel fancy, a bit of Parmesan. Slap on the lid, wait about ten minutes—just enough to scroll your phone and peek at your kids’ homework—and bam. Golden, gooey, done.
“I never thought lasagna could be this easy! My picky husband went back for THIRDS—and he never does that. Five stars, hands down.” — Katie M.
skillet lasagna recipe
What Else Can I Add?
Okay, so here’s where you can get a little wild (which I love). Sometimes I throw in a big handful of spinach when the noodles start softening. The kids get tricked and don’t even notice. Mushrooms? If I have them, why not. A pinch of red pepper flakes gives it zing, and I’ve even tried chopped zucchini in the summer.
Don’t be afraid to switch up the meat. Turkey, chicken, Italian sausage—they all work. If you’re vegetarian, try a version with lentils or skip the meat altogether and double the cheese. There are so many possibilities that to be honest, no two pans I make ever turn out quite the same. It almost feels like cheating, but in a good way, you know?
skillet lasagna recipe
Serving Suggestions
Let’s get to the best part: eating it. Here’s how I usually serve this skillet masterpiece to make it feel like a real event:
- Salad is your friend. Go super simple. Romaine, a shake of olive oil, and lemon.
- Garlic bread is not optional in my house. I mean, what is lasagna without it?
- If you are feeling like an overachiever, sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Fresh basil if you’ve got it.
- People act impressed if you serve this straight from the skillet—rustic charm at its finest.
skillet lasagna recipe
More Lasagna Recipes
Look, I get it—sometimes you’re in the mood for variety (or maybe you just have a little extra time on your hands). If you’re into batch cooking, traditional oven-baked lasagna is always satisfying, but I’ve even tried lasagna roll-ups for lunch meal preps. Oh, and don’t underestimate slow-cooker versions if you want to set it and forget it. My aunt swears hers is the best, but, respectfully, she hasn’t tasted my skillet lasagna recipe yet. Just saying.
skillet lasagna recipe
Reader Favorite Recipes
People keep asking me what other recipes I lean on during the week. Funny enough, this skillet lasagna recipe is the most-requested by my crew, but honestly, my easy chicken parmesan is a close second. My neighbor, Gary, hounds me for my spinach artichoke dip (he claims it’s why he married his wife). Let’s just say I collect these quick recipes like other folks collect fridge magnets.
So yeah, if you’re hunting for more ways to shake up dinner, or just need that skillet lasagna recipe one more time, check out the reliable one at Budget Bytes for even more genius tips. Or if you want to build your own family’s five-star favorites, start tinkering. Dinner shouldn’t be a chore—it should be your relax-and-feel-good time, even on a Tuesday.
skillet lasagna recipe
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Skillet Lasagna
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free (if using gluten-free noodles)
Description
A cozy, easy, and quick one-pan meal that delivers all the flavors of traditional lasagna without the hassle.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 uncooked lasagna noodles, broken
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Optional: spinach, mushrooms, red pepper flakes, zucchini
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened.
- Break the lasagna noodles directly into the skillet.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and water, stirring to combine.
- Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add spoonfuls of ricotta cheese once the noodles are halfway cooked.
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the skillet and let cook for about 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and noodles are tender.
Notes
Feel free to add spinach or other vegetables for a nutritional boost. This dish can also be made with ground turkey or left vegetarian by using lentils.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg