A delicious lasagna that is made in a cast-iron skillet. This comfort food classic is perfect for busy weeknights and pleases the whole family!
It is a quicker and simpler way to enjoy the flavors of traditional lasagna without all the layering and baking time. Making lasagna in a skillet can take less than 30 minutes, and the results are delicious.
Check out my Sour Cream Noodle Bake, Skillet Chicken Pot Pie and my Skillet Bourbon Chicken too!
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below, but you can jump right to the recipe card if you wish!
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Yippee! Another weeknight winner!
I’m in the mood for some homestyle cooking! Homestyle means different things to different people. For me, it’s food made with love and care. This Skillet Lasagna recipe really fits the bill.
I love classic lasagna, but don’t always have the kind of time required to make it the traditional hard way. This is a quick and easy, one pan meal, and you can clean the other couple of bowls used while this cooks. Assembling and throwing in the oven leaves you free to do other things before dinner (like drink wine). I’m all about minimal effort and clean up.
You can also cheat and make my Ravioli Lasagna, or my Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup!
I hope you try this and let me know how it goes!
If you love one-pot meals – you’ll enjoy my Skillet Mac & Cheese and One Pan Ham & Cheese Pasta, as well!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It uses common ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store.
- It cooks right in the skillet, no boiling noodles separately.
- It is easy to substitute different ingredients based on what you have on hand!
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of skillet should I use?
A large, deep skillet works best. Cast iron skillets are a good choice because they retain heat well and provide even cooking, and can go from stove top to oven.
Can I use a different ground meat for skillet lasagna?
Ground turkey, ground chicken, or even plant-based meat substitutes can be used. For a meatless version, consider using vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach
Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles?
I use regular noodles, but no-boil lasagna noodles are also great for skillet lasagna because they cook quickly. You will need to reduce the cook time if using no-boil.
Can I add vegetables to the skillet lasagna?
Absolutely. Bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or any of your favorite vegetables can be added. Just sauté them with the onions and garlic before adding the meat.
The Best Side Dishes for Lasagna
Try a Salad (like my Arugula Salad), Garlic Bread or Garlic Knots. You could also do some roasted asparagus on the side.
I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Kylee’s Notes & FAQs
It’s easy to change this up and make a different flavored lasagna for each night of the week! Use what you have, it will be MARVELOUS, I promise!
What to do with leftovers
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat to piping hot!
Substitutions:
- Sub ricotta cheese for cottage cheese.
- Use no-boil lasagna noodles instead of regular – cook for less time!
- Use different flavored tomato sauce. I like a four-cheese pasta sauce, but your favorite sauce will make this lasagna your own! If you don’t have pasta sauce, some diced tomatoes, extra garlic, and some seasoning will work just as well. Just be sure to match the volume of liquid (since the noodles will literally cook in the sauce).
- If I have Italian sausage, I might use half ground beef, half ground sausage.
- If you like a little heat, some red pepper flakes are a lovely addition (add them with the Italian Seasoning).
Recommended Equipment/Tools
- Cast iron skillet. I use a 12 inch skillet from Lodge, and love it.
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
Key Recipe Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Onion. Diced finely.
- Garlic. Mince it up. Double it, it’s GARLIC! Garlic powder can also be used in a pinch.
- Lean Ground Beef. I use a 90/10 blend of ground beef. If you use one with a higher fat content – be sure to drain the excess fat after browning.
- Pasta Sauce. Canned or jarred, homemade marinara sauce or store-bought. You’re in charge. Pick one your family loves, and you can’t go wrong! If you like a deeper tomato flavor, add a tablespoon or two of tomato paste.
- Italian Seasoning. Grab it from the store or use my easy recipe (below).
- Lasagna Noodles. I use the regular kind, not the “no-boil”. If you have no-boil, cook for less time. I just break the noodles into smaller pieces to fit the skillet.
- Cottage Cheese. I use the lower fat kind, but whatever you have works just fine. You can also use ricotta cheese.
- Mozzarella. Use more, use less. Make it your own! I like lots of cheese, but you do you! Switch out the final layer for parmesan cheese for a more authentic lasagna.
How to make this recipe
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This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Make the Sauce
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (you can use a Dutch oven too), and sauté the onions and minced garlic until the onion softens. Add the ground beef, and cook, stirring, until browned.
Add the pasta sauce and Italian Seasoning, give it a good stir. Reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Assembly
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove 2/3 of the sauce, and set aside.
Break the lasagna noodles into pieces and place the broken noodles over the sauce. Top with 1/2 the cottage cheese, and 1/3 of mozzarella.
Repeat – meat sauce, cottage cheese, mozzarella. Finish with remaining sauce and remaining mozzarella.
Cook the Lasagna
Cover and cook in the oven (cover with an oven-safe lid, or tightly wrap with tin foil) for 20 – 30 minutes, or until noodles are al dente and the cheese melts.
You may like to broil the top, but that is totally optional!
Sprinkle with fresh basil or fresh parsley (fresh herbs optional).
More Family Friendly Recipes
- Hamburger Helper – A fabulous DIY hack – a copycat of “hamburger helper” and a VERY popular weeknight dinner. Simple. Homemade. Delicious!
- Spaghetti Carbonara – A classic pasta dish using simple ingredients, like a sauce made silky and rich by using eggs, bacon, and parmesan. This Classic Spaghetti Carbonara is comfort food, made right in your own kitchen.
- Tuna Noodle Casserole – This old-time classic will bring you right back to childhood. Budget-friendly and easy to double for a crowd!
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Easy One Skillet Lasagna
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion (finely diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 3/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 cups mozzarella ( grated, divided)
- 8 pieces lasagna noodles (each broken into 4 or 5 (you can use no-boil, but cook it for slightly less time))
Directions
Make the Sauce
- Heat oven to 400°F.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium onion (diced) and sauté 5-6 mins until onion is soft, add 2 cloves garlic (minced) and cook a further minute.
- Add 1 lb ground beef and cook 4-5 mins until no longer pink.
- Add 24 ounces marinara sauce and 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning and simmer, stirring occasionally around 5-6 mins.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assembly
- Transfer 2/3 of the meat sauce to a bowl, leaving 1/3 the sauce in the skillet
- Lay half the noodles over the sauce in the skillet, spoon half the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles, sprinkle 1/2 cup of mozzarella, then repeat with sauce, noodles, cottage cheese,1/2 cup mozzarella and last 1/3 of the sauce.
Bake
- Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake until the noodles are tender, 25 to 30 mins.
- Remove from the oven, and let it rest a few minutes – broiling the top if desired.
To serve
- Garnish with chopped parsley or fresh basil.
- Devour.
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Notes
Substitutions:
It’s easy to change this up and make a different flavored lasagna for each night of the week! Use what you have, it will be MARVELOUS, I promise!- Sub the cottage cheese for ricotta.
- Use no-boil lasagna noodles instead of regular – cook for less time!
- Use different flavored tomato sauce. I like a four-cheese pasta sauce, but your favorite sauce will make this lasagna your own! If you don’t have pasta sauce, some diced tomatoes, extra garlic, and some seasoning will work just as well. Just be sure to match the volume of liquid (since the noodles will literally cook in the sauce)
- If I have Italian sausage, I might use half ground beef, half sausage.
- If you like a little heat, some red pepper flakes are a lovely addition (add them with the Italian Seasoning)
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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