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Easy Skillet Lasagna Recipe

4.8 from 405 reviews

This Easy Skillet Lasagna is a quick and comforting one-pan meal that combines the hearty flavors of Italian sausage, rich pasta sauce, and a creamy cheese blend. Featuring broken lasagna noodles cooked directly in the sauce, this recipe simplifies traditional lasagna preparation by using a skillet and minimal steps, perfect for busy weeknights without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb ground Italian sausage
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 medium-sized white onion, chopped

Liquids and Pasta

  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (24-ounce) jar of pasta sauce
  • 10 dried lasagna strips, broken into 1-inch pieces

Cheese and Herbs

  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, plus more for topping
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley (flat leaf)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

  1. Brown the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the ground Italian sausage and break it up with a wooden spoon. Season with kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until all the meat is browned, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  2. Sauté the onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook together until the onion is translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add liquids and pasta: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and pasta sauce. Add the broken lasagna strips into the skillet. Gently stir the mixture to combine everything evenly.
  4. Simmer to cook pasta: Cover the skillet with a lid and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking of the pasta.
  5. Prepare cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, freshly chopped parsley, and Italian seasoning. Stir well until fully incorporated.
  6. Add cheese topping: Spoon the cheese mixture evenly over the cooked pasta and sausage mixture in the skillet.
  7. Finish with mozzarella and melt cheese: Sprinkle additional shredded mozzarella cheese on top as desired. Remove the skillet from heat, cover to allow the cheese to melt for about 5 minutes. For best results, place the skillet under the broiler in the oven for 7-10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly, melted, and lightly browned.

Notes

  • Using an oven-safe skillet is essential for broiling the cheese topping at the end.
  • Breaking the lasagna noodles into smaller pieces helps them cook evenly in the sauce without pre-boiling.
  • Stirring every few minutes during simmering prevents noodles from sticking to the pan or clumping together.
  • You can substitute ground beef or turkey for the Italian sausage to change the flavor profile.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, but avoid broiling again to prevent overcooking.
  • Adding fresh basil in addition to parsley can enhance the herbal flavor.

Keywords: skillet lasagna, one-pan pasta, easy lasagna recipe, quick Italian dinner, sausage lasagna, no-boil lasagna