Description
Skillet Polka Dot Lasagna is a simple and delicious one-pan Italian-American dish featuring a flavorful meat sauce topped with dollops of creamy ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan, all folded with pasta shells or elbow macaroni. This easy recipe cooks entirely on the stovetop, combining rich cheeses and hearty ground beef for a comforting meal with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces cooked pasta shells or elbow macaroni
- Optional: extra mozzarella for topping
Instructions
- Cook the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage with the diced onion and minced garlic until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the marinara sauce until it is well combined and heated through.
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, salt, black pepper, and chopped fresh basil or parsley until smooth and well incorporated.
- Create the Polka Dot Effect: Remove the skillet from heat and allow the meat sauce to cool slightly. Spoon small dollops of the ricotta mixture evenly over the meat sauce surface, leaving visible gaps between dollops to give the signature polka dot appearance.
- Add Cheeses and Pasta: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the ricotta dollops. Gently fold the cooked pasta shells or elbow macaroni into the skillet to distribute the ricotta dollops throughout the dish without stirring too vigorously.
- Heat Through: Cover the skillet and place it over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the cheeses to melt and the dish to warm thoroughly.
- Finish Under the Broiler (Optional): For a bubbly, golden top, place the uncovered skillet under a broiler for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove carefully and serve the skillet polka dot lasagna hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of the meat sauce.
- For added vegetables, incorporate chopped spinach or zucchini into the meat sauce during cooking.
- The distinctive “polka dot” look comes from spooning ricotta dollops over the sauce rather than mixing the cheese completely into the pasta.
