Skillet Lasagna - Easy and Delicious Dinner Recipe (2024)

What if I told you that you could have a delicious dinner on the table in no time? Enter skillet lasagna – the ultimate weeknight meal solution. Learn how to make the perfect skillet lasagna that is not only quick and easy but also customizable.

I’ve always thought that it’s a bit of fuss to make lasagna. However, using oven-ready noodles and puting it together in one pan (in this case, a skillet) is super easy. Plus, you only have to clean up one pan and one bowl (and maybe a measuring cup or two).

Not only is it a game-changer for busy weeknights, but it’s also incredibly versatile. You can switch up the ingredients to suit your preferences and dietary needs, making it perfect for families with picky eaters or anyone looking for a quick and satisfying meal.

But there’s more to this dish than just convenience. Skillet lasagna is a one-pan wonder that will leave you with minimal cleanup and a full belly. With layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and melted cheese, it hits all the right notes for comfort food. Plus, it’s a great way to get your serving of vegetables in, as you can easily add in some spinach, zucchini, or any other veggies you have on hand.

So, where did this idea come from? Well, this past Monday, I had lasagna with my mom. It was amazing, and since I couldn’t get it out of my head, I had to make some for myself. I purchased a large 12-inch skillet a few months ago, and it was time to put it to use.

I know you might not want to turn on your oven in the middle of summer, but this recipe is totally worth it. So simple and delicious. Or just save it for fall; I’m cool with that, too.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s incredibly easy to make and requires minimal preparation and clean-up time. Plus, it’s a one-skillet meal, which means you won’t have multiple pots and pans to wash after dinner.
• You can easily swap out ingredients to suit your tastes or dietary restrictions. Whether you prefer ground beef, turkey, or vegetarian options like mushrooms, this recipe can accommodate.
• The combination of tender noodles, savory sauce, and melted cheese is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Plus, it’s a fun twist on traditional lasagna that will impress your friends and family.
• Instead of spending hours prepping and baking a traditional lasagna, you can have this skillet version on the table with very little hands-on time. It’s perfect for those nights when you just don’t have the energy or time to cook a complicated meal.

What I love about this skillet lasagna is that it’s super casual. I don’t even like to cut it like traditional lasagna. Just serve it with a big spoon and you’re good to go. Whip up a salad (might I suggested my apple pecan salad, wilted endive, or spinach salad), get a loaf of crusty bread, and set dinner on the table. I think you’re going to love it too!

Ingredients

To make this delicious skillet lasagna, you’ll need to gather a few key ingredients.

• ground beef
• yellow onion
• garlicdiced
• olive oil
• red pepper flakes
• oven-ready lasagna noodles
• pasta sauce
• shredded parmesan cheeseshredded
• fresh mozzarella
• ricotta cheese
• fresh parsley and basil for garnish
• salt and pepper

In addition to these grocery ingredients, you’ll also need a good skillet.

Choose the Right Skillet

To truly achieve optimal results with this skillet lasagna, it’s important to select the right skillet. The perfect skillet for skillet lasagna is one that has high sides, a lid, and is made of nonstick or stainless steel. This is the skillet I used for this recipe. I highly recommend the Lodge brand. They’ve never let me down and are really affordable.

This is important because a high-quality skillet will ensure even heat distribution and will prevent the lasagna from sticking to the pan. Choosing the right skillet will make all the difference in creating a delicious and well-made skillet lasagna that you and your family will love.

How to Make

It’s time to put this skillet lasagna together. You can find the step-by-step instructions below. I’ve also provideda full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a 12-inch skillet, add the extra virgin olive oil and sauté your onions over medium-high heat until translucent. This will take about five minutes. Then, add the garlic and sauté it for a minute. Finally, add the ground beef, breaking it into small chunks. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
3. After cooking the beef for 8 – 10 minutes or until all the pink has disappeared, remove it from the skillet, place it in a bowl, and set it aside.
4. Take the skillet off the burner so that it can cool slightly. Then, add 1 1/2 cups of pasta sauce to the bottom, spreading it into a thin later.
5. Lay the noodle strips across the sauce, overlapping them slightly to create one layer. Spoon half of the beef on top of the noodle layer. Sprinkle evenly with 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese. Top this with 1 1/2 cups of sauce.

See Also

22 Kid-Friendly Pasta Recipes to Tempt Even the Pickiest Eaters

6. Next, add another layer of noodles. Spread the remaining beef across this layer. Top with 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese and the remaining mozzarella cheese. Again, top with 1 1/2 cups of sauce.
7. Add a final layer of noodles. Top with 1 1/2 cups of sauce.
8. Then, using a tablespoon, spread dollops of ricotta cheese evenly across the top of the lasagna. Garnish with the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.

9. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
10. Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Allow the pan to cool slightly and garnish with the fresh herbs.

Recipe Variations

Now that you’ve got the hang of making this delicious skillet lasagna, it’s time to make it your own.

• One easy way to customize this recipe is by adding your favorite vegetables. Sauté some spinach or zucchini and add it to the layers for some extra nutrition and flavor.
• You can also swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken if you prefer a lighter option.
• For a spicy twist, add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce.
• If you’re a cheese lover, experiment with different types of cheese like mozzarella, provolone, or even goat cheese.
• Another fun idea is to include some cooked bacon or sausage for an added savory kick.

More Pasta Recipes You May Enjoy

• Seafood Lasagna
• Lemon Ricotta Pasta
• Creamy Pumpkin Tortillini
• Five Cheese Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
• One Pan Chicken Apple Sausage Pasta

I hope you’ll try making this skillet lasagna. Experiment with different additions, flavors, etc. I know you’re going to enjoy it. If you do,please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.

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