Cheesy Skillet Lasagna is a fast and flavorful twist on classic lasagna—made entirely in one skillet! With layers of tender noodles, savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese, this easy dinner delivers all the comfort of traditional lasagna without the fuss of oven-baking.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-pan, no-boil, and no layering required
- Ready in 30 minutes or less
- Family-friendly and freezer-friendly
- Cheesy, hearty, and loaded with flavor
- Perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef or Italian sausage
- Onion
- Garlic
- Crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce
- Tomato paste
- Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper
- No-boil lasagna noodles or broken regular lasagna noodles
- Water or beef broth
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
directions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes or marinara, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Break lasagna noodles into pieces and stir into the sauce. Add water or broth and stir to coat.
- Cover and simmer for 15–18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender. Add more water if needed.
- Dollop ricotta cheese over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover and cook another 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4–6 people.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Vegetarian: Use sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach in place of meat.
- Spicy: Use hot Italian sausage or add extra chili flakes.
- Low-Carb: Substitute lasagna noodles with thinly sliced zucchini or pre-cooked palmini.
- Creamy Twist: Stir in a bit of heavy cream or mascarpone for a richer sauce.
- Make-Ahead: Cook the meat and sauce ahead of time, then just simmer and add noodles when ready.
storage/reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the skillet over low heat or microwave individual portions.
To freeze, cool completely and transfer to a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight and reheat thoroughly before serving.
FAQs
Can I use regular lasagna noodles?
Yes, just break them into pieces and simmer until tender. No need to pre-cook.
Do I have to use ricotta cheese?
No, you can skip it or replace with cottage cheese or mascarpone.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely—just omit the meat and add your favorite vegetables.
What’s the best skillet to use?
A deep, heavy-bottomed skillet with a lid works best to ensure even cooking.
Can I use jarred pasta sauce?
Yes, marinara or your favorite pasta sauce works great and saves time.
How do I keep the noodles from sticking?
Stir occasionally while simmering and make sure there’s enough liquid in the pan.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger skillet or Dutch oven and adjust cooking times slightly.
What cheese melts best for the top?
Mozzarella is classic, but provolone, fontina, or an Italian cheese blend also work well.
Is it freezer-friendly?
Yes! Cool completely before freezing in portions. Thaw and reheat when ready to serve.
Can I bake it instead?
This recipe is designed for stovetop cooking, but you can finish it in the oven under the broiler for a bubbly, golden top.
Conclusion
Cheesy Skillet Lasagna brings all the flavors of traditional lasagna to your table in a fraction of the time—with just one pan to clean. Whether you’re feeding the family on a weeknight or prepping leftovers for the week ahead, this comforting, cheesy dish is guaranteed to hit the spot. Simple, satisfying, and oh-so delicious!
Print
Cheesy Skillet Lasagna
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: One Pot/One Pan
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Cheesy Skillet Lasagna delivers all the saucy, cheesy goodness of traditional lasagna without the fuss. Made in one pan with layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese, it’s ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Ingredients
-
1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
-
1 small onion, diced
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce
-
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
-
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
-
8 oz lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
-
2 cups water or low-sodium beef broth
-
1 cup ricotta cheese
-
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
-
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
Optional garnish: fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
-
In a large, deep skillet or sauté pan, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
-
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
-
Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
-
Add broken lasagna noodles and water (or broth). Stir to combine and press noodles down into the sauce.
-
Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15–18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
-
Dollop ricotta cheese over the top and gently swirl into the skillet (don’t fully mix it in).
-
Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Cover and cook another 3–5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.
Notes
-
Swap in ground turkey or a plant-based alternative for a lighter version.
-
You can use no-boil lasagna noodles – just keep an eye on the liquid level.
-
Add a handful of spinach for a veggie boost!