This easy skillet lasagna recipe cooks up a one-pan stovetop dinner made with ground beef, jarred sauce, and lasagna noodles. No oven needed, no layering required! Just brown the beef, stir everything together, and dinner is ready in about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want comfort food without a lotta fuss.
If one-pan dinners are your thing, you’ll also love some of my other skillet favorites like One Pot Chili Mac , stuffed pepper skillet and kielbasa and cabbage, all created for busy weeknights with the least amount of cleanup in mind.
Why You’ll Love This Skillet Lasagna
- Everything cooks in one skillet, which means easy prep and even easier cleanup.
- Made with simple pantry shortcuts like jarred spaghetti sauce.
- A family-friendly dinner. Even my picky eater loves this skillet version of lasagna, which is saying a lot!
If your family loves the flavors of lasagna, you’ll also love my ravioli lasagna bake.
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🛒 Ingredients for One-Pan Skillet Lasagna
Here's what you'll need from the pantry and fridge.
- Ground beef – ground pork or Italian sausage also works
- Spaghetti sauce – use your favorite brand or swap in marinara sauce
- Lasagna noodles, broken into pieces – broken lasagna noodles cook faster and are easier to stir. You can also substitute farfalle pasta.
- Ricotta cheese + mozzarella cheese – for that rich, creamy texture. If you can, shred your own mozzarella for the meltiest results (tip: cold cheese is easiest to shred!)
- Grated Parmesan cheese
See recipe card below for specific quantities and ingredient list.
🥣 How to Make Skillet Lasagna on the Stovetop
- Step 1: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until cooked through and nicely browned.
- Step 2: Add the sauce and water, then stir in the broken lasagna noodles. Spread everything into an even layer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in the ricotta and half of the mozzarella. Cook uncovered for 5 more minutes.
- Step 4: Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, then cover and let it sit until the cheese melts, about 2–3 minutes.
- Step 5: Optional: garnish with freshly chopped basil or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning before diving in.
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📋 Variations
- Add veggies like sautéed zucchini or sliced mushrooms
- Stir in a handful of baby spinach to wilt at the end
- Not a ricotta fan? Swap in small-curd cottage cheese (very Midwest-approved 😉)
If you like pasta dinners, be sure to check out my slow cooker Cajun chicken alfredo as an easy weeknight dinner option.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- Simple green salad
- Garlic knots
- Breadsticks
For more lasagna love check out these easy lasagna cups!
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. To reheat, place a serving on a microwave-safe plate, break it up slightly, and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, then heat in 30–60 second intervals until warmed through. The damp paper towel helps keep the noodles from drying out.
Weeknight Lasagna Tips for Busy Families
- If the noodles aren’t quite tender, add a splash of water, cover, and cook a few more minutes
- If the sauce gets too thick, stir in a bit of water or broth
- If the sauce looks too thin, uncover and let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken
Can You Freeze Skillet Lasagna?
Yes! Cook as instructed, then allow the lasagna to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for several weeks.To reheat, microwave individual portions or place the lasagna in an oven-safe dish and heat covered in a 300°F oven for about 20 minutes.
Skillet Lasagna FAQs
Nope. The noodles cook right in the skillet as the sauce simmers. Breaking them into pieces helps them cook faster and more evenly.
Add a splash of water, cover the skillet, and cook for a few more minutes. Different noodle brands and pan sizes can affect cook time.
Yes. You can cook it fully, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator for a day or freeze it for several weeks. Reheat in the microwave or covered in a low oven until warmed through.
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Recipe
Skillet Lasagna
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Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce
- 1 ½ cups water
- 6 uncooked lasagna noodles broken into 1-inch pieces
- ¾ cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the 1 pound ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add sauce and noodles: Stir in 24 ounces spaghetti sauce and 1 ½ cups water. Add 6 uncooked lasagna noodles (broken into pieces) and stir to combine, making sure the noodles are mostly submerged in the sauce.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender. Gently stir the noodles once or twice during the first few minutes of cooking to prevent sticking.
- Add cheese: Stir in ¾ cup part-skim ricotta cheese and 1 cup of the mozzarella. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Melt the cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Cover and let sit until cheese is melted, about 2–3 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or Italian seasoning if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
