Lasagna is one of those dishes that instantly screams comfort, but let’s be honest—traditional lasagna can be a bit of a project. That’s where this skillet meat lasagna comes in. It’s rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying, but comes together in one pan without all the layering fuss. Think of it as the best parts of a home made lasagna recipe combined into a quicker, weeknight-friendly version that still packs all the flavor of an authentic lasagna recipe from Italy. Whether you're looking for hearty dinner recipes or a new favorite in your collection of easy homemade lasagna dishes, this one’s a winner.
One-Pan Skillet Meat Lasagna
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
12-inch oven-safe skillet or sauté pan A cast iron or heavy-bottomed stainless steel skillet works best to evenly cook the noodles and retain heat.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula For stirring the meat sauce and ensuring nothing sticks.
Lid or aluminum foil If your skillet doesn’t come with a lid, foil will help trap steam to soften the noodles.
Small Mixing Bowl For mixing cheeses if needed.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground beef or a mix of beef and mild Italian sausage for extra depth
- 2 cups marinara or homemade lasagna sauce recipe
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 lasagna noodles broken into thirds (uncooked)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Sauté the aromatics
Heat olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook the meat
Add ground beef and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks—this will be the foundation of your meat sauce.
Add the sauce and noodles
Stir in the marinara sauce and water. Bring to a gentle simmer. Nestle in the broken lasagna noodles, pressing them down to ensure they're covered in the sauce.
Simmer and steam
Cover and cook on medium-low heat for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the noodles are tender.
Add the cheese layers
Once the noodles are cooked, dollop ricotta cheese over the top. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan.
Melt the cheese
Cover again for 5 minutes or place the skillet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and slightly golden.
Finish and serve
Let the lasagna rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm. This skillet lasagna dinner pairs beautifully with garlic bread or a crisp Caesar salad.
Pairings
This cozy lasagna dinner begs for a glass of medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Barbera. For a non-alcoholic option, try sparkling water with a splash of lemon. Side dishes? Think roasted vegetables, a tangy balsamic-glazed arugula salad, or even crispy zucchini fries. And don’t skip the bread—crusty ciabatta or garlic knots soak up every last bit of meat sauce.
FAQs
1. Can I substitute chicken?
While this is a beef-focused dish (similar to a classic lasagna recipe with ricotta beef), you can definitely make it with ground chicken or even chopped chicken breast for a leaner take. In fact, it’s a fun spin if you’re browsing chicken breast recipes and want to switch things up.
2. What kind of noodles should I use?
Regular lasagna noodles work perfectly here. No-boil noodles are not recommended since they might get mushy with this method. Breaking the noodles helps them cook evenly and makes scooping easier.
3. Can I make this ahead?
Absolutely. Assemble and refrigerate for up to a day before cooking. You may need to add a few extra minutes of simmer time if cooking from cold.
4. Is this similar to million dollar lasagna?
It has that creamy, cheesy comfort of a million dollar lasagna recipe but without all the layers. It’s simpler, but still tastes like the best lasagna recipe your nonna could make.
5. What if I want it spicier?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the onions or use spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
