Description
This Best One-Pot Skillet Lasagna combines all the classic flavors of traditional lasagna into a quick and easy stovetop recipe. Using a single deep skillet or Dutch oven, ground beef, tomatoes, broken lasagna noodles, and a blend of cheeses come together to create a creamy, comforting meal with minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish delivers hearty Italian-American taste in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 2 cups water or low-sodium beef broth
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 ounces lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Herbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Brown the meat: Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté vegetables and season: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Season with salt, black pepper, dried Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
- Add tomato base and liquid: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and water or broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook noodles in sauce: Add the broken lasagna noodles, pressing them down so they are mostly submerged in the liquid. Cover the skillet and cook over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the noodles become tender.
- Incorporate ricotta cheese: Reduce heat to low and dollop the ricotta cheese over the top. Gently stir to create creamy pockets distributed throughout the dish.
- Add shredded cheeses and melt: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the surface. Cover and let cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and let the lasagna rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley for added flavor and color.
Notes
- For richer flavor, substitute half the ground beef with Italian sausage.
- Add vegetables such as spinach or mushrooms during the step when cooking the onion for extra nutrition and flavor.
- If the sauce thickens too much before the noodles are fully cooked, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.
