Description
This Best Skillet Lasagna recipe offers a quick and delicious twist on traditional lasagna, cooked entirely in one skillet for minimal cleanup. Ground beef, marinara sauce, and broken lasagna noodles simmer together to create a hearty base, topped with a creamy mix of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this Italian-inspired dish is bursting with cheesy goodness and fresh parsley garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Noodles
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 cup water
- 8 ounces uncooked lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheeses and Garnish
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the beef mixture: In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with finely chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is browned and the onions become tender. Then drain any excess fat carefully to avoid grease in the dish.
- Add sauce and noodles: Stir in marinara sauce, water, broken lasagna noodles, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer noodles: Cover the skillet and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the lasagna noodles are fully tender and cooked through.
- Add cheeses: Drop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese evenly across the skillet surface. Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top of the ricotta and the noodles.
- Melt the cheese: Cover the skillet again and cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until the cheeses are melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness, and serve warm directly from the skillet.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of dried basil when adding the sauce.
- Substitute ground turkey for ground beef to make a lighter, leaner version.
- Break noodles into small enough pieces to fit comfortably and cook evenly in the skillet.
- Ensure the skillet is large enough to accommodate the ingredients and allow noodles to cook thoroughly.
