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This skillet lasagna recipe features all the delicious flavors of the classic Italian dish—but in a quick and easy version that comes together in just one pan. With less mess and no need for layering, this stovetop method is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting, homemade meal without all the extra steps.
Just like my One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese and Tuscan Sausage Soup, this one-pan skillet lasagna recipe delivers a hearty, flavorful dinner—without all the dishes! Everything cooks in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze and weeknight meals a little more peaceful.
Why You’ll Love This Skillet Lasagna Recipe
- Simple: This recipe uses pantry staples and straightforward steps—no layering or complicated prep required.
- Budget-Friendly: With basic ingredients like ground beef, pasta sauce, and cheese, this meal is hearty and satisfying without stretching your grocery bill. Try my homemade chili recipe for another cheap and easy ground beef dinner idea.
- Quick One-Pot Dinner: Everything cooks in a single skillet in just 35 minutes. Perfect for busy nights when you need dinner on the table fast.
Equipment
Ingredients
Find the full list of ingredients, amounts, and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Ground beef: Ground beef adds a hearty base to the sauce, but you can also use any ground meat such as half ground beef and half breakfast sausage—or go with all Italian sausage for extra flavor.
- Onion and garlic: Freshly diced onion and minced garlic bring delicious depth to the browned meat.
- Pasta sauce: Use your favorite jarred pasta sauce. Organic Italian Herb Pasta Sauce is a great choice, but any variety will work. You can also use marinara sauce.
- Lasagna noodles: Oven-ready lasagna noodles are ideal here—they cook right in the sauce with no extra boiling. You can also substitute another pasta shape if preferred.
- Cheese: A flavorful combo of ricotta and parmesan cheese gives that classic lasagna richness, while a final sprinkle of mozzarella on top finishes things off perfectly. Don’t skip broiling—it creates those golden, melty cheesy bits everyone loves!
- Optional garnish: Fresh parsley and basil add a nice touch of freshness to the finished dish.
How to Make Skillet Lasagna
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making this delicious skillet lasagna recipe. See recipe card for exact quantities.
Step 1: Add the ground beef to a large skillet and cook over medium heat until fully browned. Drain any excess grease if needed (Photo 1).
Step 2: Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant (Photo 2).
Step 3: Pour in the pasta sauce, water, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together to combine.
Step 4: Break the oven-ready lasagna noodles into 2-inch pieces and stir them into the meat sauce mixture (Photo 3).
Step 5: Cover the skillet with a lid and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, give it a stir, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender.
Step 6: While the noodles cook, mix the ricotta cheese and grated parmesan in a small bowl until well combined.
Step 7: Once the noodles are cooked through, remove the lid and add the ricotta mixture in small dollops across the top of the skillet (Photos 4 and 5). Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the dish.
Step 8: Place the skillet under your oven’s broiler for 3–4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. (Be sure your skillet is oven-safe and the lid is removed.)
Step 9: Garnish with chopped parsley or basil, serve hot, and enjoy!
How to Store
Let the lasagna cool completely, then transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole skillet gently on the stovetop until heated through. Add a splash of water or tomato sauce if needed to loosen the sauce.
Tips
- Swap the meat: You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage or use a mix of the two for extra flavor. Ground turkey can also work.
- Different noodles work too: No oven-ready lasagna noodles? Try regular lasagna noodles, broken-up spaghetti, penne, or rotini. Just adjust simmer time as needed.
- Don’t skip the broil: That final blast under the broiler gives you melty, golden cheese with crispy edges—totally worth it.
- Add veggies: Stir in some spinach or chopped zucchini for a boost of nutrition.
- Serving suggestion: Serve with a side of toasted French baguettes or sourdough artisan bread smothered in butter and garlic salt for a satisfying meal.
Recipe FAQs
Skillet lasagna is a quick and easy twist on traditional layered lasagna. It’s made all in one pan—no baking dish or layering required. You still get the classic flavors of meat sauce, noodles, and cheese, just in a faster, more convenient format.
Yes! This recipe is a perfect example. The noodles simmer right in the sauce, and everything comes together in one skillet. Just finish it off under the broiler for that delicious melted cheese topping.
Yes, many traditional lasagna recipes use cottage cheese in place of ricotta. You can use all cottage cheese or do a mix of both for a slightly lighter texture.
Absolutely! Drizzling a little olive oil over the top before broiling enhances the flavor and helps the cheese brown beautifully.
More Easy Dinner Ideas
- Meatless Baked Ziti
- Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
- Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe
- Crockpot Taco Chicken Chili
- Cabbage Roll Soup
- Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please leave a comment with a 5-star recipe rating and let me know! Thank you!
Skillet Lasagna Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz. pasta sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 oven-ready lasagna noodles, or other uncooked pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup mozzarella, finely shredded
Garnish
- fresh parsley, chopped, optional
- fresh basil, chopped, optional
Instructions
- Add the ground beef to a large saucepan and cook over medium heat until the beef is cooked through. Drain the grease if necessary. Once the beef is browned, add in diced onion and cook until translucent. Add in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Add pasta sauce, water and italian seasoning, salt and pepper, then gently stir to combine.
- Break the lasagna noodles into two-inch pieces and stir them into the meat sauce.
- Place the lid onto the saucepan, turn the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Once the skillet has come to a boil, remove the lid and give it a stir. Replace the lid and lower the heat to medium-low. Allow the skillet to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the skillet is simmering add ricotta cheese and grated parmesan to a medium bowl. Stir until the ingredients are well combined.
- Once the noodles are fully cooked in the skillet, remove the lid and add the ricotta mixture to the top in small dollops. Sprinkle the freshly shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Place under your oven’s broiler for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is nicely melted and golden. (Make sure you are using an oven-safe skillet and remove the lid).
- Garnish with fresh parsley and basil, serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Storage
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.Tips
- Swap the meat: You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage or use a mix of the two for extra flavor. Ground turkey can also work.
- Different noodles work too: No oven-ready lasagna noodles? Try regular lasagna noodles, broken-up spaghetti, penne, or rotini. Just adjust simmer time as needed.
- Don’t skip the broil: That final blast under the broiler gives you melty, golden cheese with crispy edges—totally worth it.
- Add veggies: Stir in some spinach or chopped zucchini for a boost of nutrition.
- Serving suggestion: Serve with a side of toasted French baguettes or sourdough artisan bread smothered in butter and garlic salt for a satisfying meal.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Just one-pan, hearty, and layered with gooey cheese, savory meat sauce, and tender noodles, this skillet lasagna is streamlined for busy nights.