Easy Skillet Lasagna

Here’s an easy dinner entrée for people who like the heartiness of Italian cuisine.

Lasagna is often baked in an oven, but this particular recipe can be stirred together in a skillet on the stovetop.

That leaves your oven free to warm up the garlic bread or bake a cake or pie for dessert.

You can serve this to your family or at an Italian-themed dinner party. 

This lasagna is an easy recipe perfect for feeding a crowd.

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why do I love this Skillet Lasagna?

• When you need to make a lot of good food really fast, you can’t go wrong with anything Italian!
• Nonna might scold you for using jarred spaghetti sauce, but sometimes you just have to opt for convenience.
• You can adapt this recipe to your taste.
• Mozzarella is the go-to cheese for most Italian dishes, but if you like, you can use asiago, Romano or provalone. Or even a mix! 

What is the secret ingredient in lasagna?

Don’t use just any sausage in this dish. Use Italian sausage! It’s spiced up just a little with fennel or anise without being too piquant. This recipe blends pork and beef to make a meaty lasagna. Many jarred spaghetti sauces already have spices and, depending on what kind you get, some extra vegetables. However, adding some of your own can enhance the flavor. Dried herbs are fine, but if you can possibly use fresh herbs, that would be even better. 

Do you have to boil lasagna noodles before you put them in the pan?

You may be better off with no-cook noodles. They’re ready to go right in the oven. For the best results, soak no-cook noodles in cold water for a little while before using them. If you don’t have no-cook noodles, boil them for three to five minutes until soft and fluffy. They’ll stick to the pan better without becoming gooey. 

How to serve Skillet Lasagna?

Lasagna is a balanced meal in of itself, with meat, cheese, vegetables and noodles. If you’re feeling fancy, you might serve it with a side salad. Garlic bread is a welcome accompaniment to every Italian meal. The lasagna itself is usually cut into squares while hot before serving. If you like wine, this meaty lasagna goes best with a full-bodied red wine. Go with Chiante to further the Italian flavor. 

Cooking Tips:

One and a half tablespoons of onion powder can substitute for chopped onions. Chives can also substitute. Green bell peppers work, but yellow or red bell peppers are sweeter. 

Variations:

You can skip the meat altogether for a vegetarian lasagna. You can use vegan cheese to make it completely vegan. Ricotta can be used instead of cottage cheese. A little oregano, basil or garlic powder could add a little pep to this easy skillet lasagna recipe.  

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Ground Italian sausage
• Water
• Spaghetti sauce
• Grated parmesan
• Cottage cheese
• Egg
• Dried parsley
• Green bell pepper
• Onion
• Shredded Italian-style cheese
• Lasagna noodles

How to make Skillet Lasagna:

Step 1. Cook the meat and vegetables over medium-high heat in a large skillet until the meat is browned completely, and the vegetables have begun to soften.

Drain any excess fat.

Step 2. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and add the water, spaghetti sauce, and noodles to the skillet with the meat and vegetables.

Adding the spaghetti sauce.

Adding the water.

Adding the dried parsley.

Adding the noodles.

Stir to combine, cover and cook for 20 minutes.

Step 3. In a bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, egg, dried parsley, and Parmesan cheese.

Step 4. Spread the cottage cheese mixture over the ingredients in the skillet.

Then sprinkle with the cheese.

Step 5. cover and cook for 10-15 minutes longer.

Serve warm!

Now, remember to save this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

How to store this Skillet Lasagna?

Once the leftovers have completely cooled, you can store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

How to reheat this Skillet Lasagna?

You can cover it with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 30 to 45 minutes. You can steam fry it in the skillet with a little water and a cover. (Works great on leftover pizza too.) If you’re in a hurry, three to five minutes in a microwave can do. 

How much does this Skillet Lasagna last in the fridge?

Five days to a week. Throw it out if it smells weird or has stuff growing on it. 

Can I make ahead this Skillet Lasagna?

You certainly can.

Related Recipes You Might Enjoy:

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs  Another Italian favorite that’s easy to make. 

Homemade Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks A great side dish for lasagna. 

Italian Rigatoni Bake This one is savory and full of flavor.