Easy Skillet Lasagna Recipe
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This skillet lasagna recipe has all the cozy flavor of traditional lasagna without all the layering. It’s made with ground beef, ground pork, marinara sauce, parmesan, ricotta, and broken lasagna noodles for an easy one-pan dinner that still feels rich, cheesy, and comforting.
This one-pan lasagna skillet is perfect for busy weeknights because it gives you the flavor of classic baked lasagna without the extra prep, oven time, or casserole dish. Everything comes together in one skillet, making it a hearty family dinner that feels homemade without taking hours in the kitchen.
What Makes This Skillet Lasagna So Good
I love a big layered lasagna, but honestly, most nights I do not have the patience for all the layering and extra dishes. This skillet lasagna has all the same cozy flavors with way less work. The noodles cook up right in the sauce, the ricotta topping gets creamy and melty, and it feels like one of those dinners everyone goes back for seconds on.
Why You’ll Love This Skillet Lasagna
- One pan dinner
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Easier than traditional lasagna
- Family friendly
- Great for leftovers
- Cozy comfort food
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground Beef and Ground Pork: Using both gives the sauce more flavor and richness.
- Marinara Sauce: Use homemade marinara or your favorite store-bought sauce.
- Lasagna Noodles: Breaking the noodles into pieces makes this recipe fast and easy without traditional layering.
- Ricotta Cheese: Adds that classic creamy lasagna texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the sauce and adds salty flavor throughout.
- Kosher Salt: Salt is used to season the meat and the ricotta topping.
- Garlic Powder: Seasons the ricotta topping and adds extra flavor without overpowering the sauce.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds the familiar herb flavor you expect in a lasagna recipe.
Can I Use Different Meat?
Yes, you can switch up the meat in this skillet lasagna depending on what you have. Italian sausage is a great option if you want more flavor and a little extra richness. You can also use all ground beef if that is what you keep on hand.
Ground turkey or ground chicken will also work, but they are leaner, so the finished dish will be a little lighter. If you use either one, I would add a little extra seasoning or use a really flavorful marinara sauce so the skillet lasagna still tastes rich and cozy.
How To Make Skillet Lasagna
This skillet lasagna comes together in a few simple steps. You’ll cook the noodles, brown the meat, stir everything together with marinara and parmesan, then finish it with a creamy ricotta topping.
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and roughly break the noodles into large pieces.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and ground pork, then season with kosher salt. Cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.
Step 3: Add the Sauce
Pour in the marinara sauce and stir everything together. Add the parmesan cheese and let it melt into the sauce for a few minutes until creamy.
Step 4: Add the Noodles
Toss the cooked noodles into the skillet and gently stir until coated in the sauce.
Step 5: Make the Ricotta Topping
In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, kosher salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Spoon the ricotta mixture over the skillet lasagna and serve warm with extra parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.
Tips For The Best Skillet Lasagna
- Do not overcook the noodles. Cook them just until tender so they do not get too soft once they are added to the sauce.
- Use freshly grated parmesan. It melts better into the marinara and gives the sauce a richer flavor.
- Break the noodles into large pieces. Smaller pieces can get lost in the sauce, while larger pieces make the dish feel more like traditional lasagna.
- Use a large skillet. This recipe has meat, sauce, cheese, and noodles, so you need enough room to stir everything together without making a mess.
- Add mozzarella if you want it cheesier. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the top, cover the skillet for a few minutes, and let it melt before serving.
What To Serve With Skillet Lasagna
- This skillet lasagna is hearty enough to serve on its own, but it also pairs really well with simple sides that round out the meal. Garlic bread is one of the best options because it works perfectly with the marinara sauce and creamy ricotta topping.
- For an easy dinner, serve this with my homemade cheesy garlic bread, a Caesar salad, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad. Since the skillet lasagna already has pasta, meat, sauce, and cheese, lighter sides help keep the meal balanced without making it feel too heavy.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat with a splash of marinara sauce or water to loosen it back up.
Freezing
Let the skillet lasagna cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Skillet Lasagna Recipe
Equipment
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Skillet
Ingredients
For the Skillet Lasagna
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 32 ounces marinara sauce
- 8 ounces freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 9 ounces lasagna noodles (cooked and roughly broken into large pieces)
For the Ricotta Topping
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning blend
Instructions
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain, then roughly break them into large pieces.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and ground pork.
- Season the meat with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.
- Once the meat is fully cooked, drain any excess grease if needed.
- Add the marinara sauce to the skillet and stir it into the cooked meat.
- Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese melts into the sauce.
- Add the cooked lasagna noodles to the skillet and gently toss until the noodles are coated in the meat sauce.
- In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Spoon the ricotta mixture over the top of the skillet lasagna.
- Serve warm with extra parmesan, fresh basil, or garlic bread if desired.
Notes
- Freshly grated parmesan melts better into the sauce than pre-shredded parmesan.
- Break the lasagna noodles into larger pieces instead of tiny pieces so the dish still feels like lasagna.
- Use a flavorful marinara sauce since it carries most of the sauce flavor.
- For a cheesier skillet lasagna, add shredded mozzarella on top and cover the skillet for a few minutes until melted.
- This recipe works with regular lasagna noodles, gluten-free lasagna noodles, or broken oven-ready noodles if they are cooked first.
Nutrition
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes. You can make the sauce mixture ahead and reheat before serving. Add the ricotta topping right before serving for the best texture.
Yes. Let the skillet lasagna cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes. Gluten free lasagna noodles work well in this recipe. Just cook them according to the package directions before adding them to the skillet.
You can! Replace the meat with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, or your favorite meat substitute.
You can use dairy-free ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella alternatives if needed.
For this skillet lasagna recipe, the noodles are cooked before being added to the skillet so they stay tender and cook evenly in the sauce.
