Description
Melted cheese cascades through layers of this irresistible cheesy skillet lasagna, bringing Italian comfort right to your dinner table. Quick preparation and bold flavors make this one-pan wonder a perfect weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (453 grams) ground beef (or Italian sausage)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 (24 ounces/680 grams) jar marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups water or low-sodium beef broth
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
Cheese:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- Optional garnish: fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Sear ground beef and onions in a spacious skillet, rendering them golden and caramelized while eliminating any surplus grease.
- Introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the meat mixture for approximately 60 seconds.
- Incorporate marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, creating a robust and flavorful foundation.
- Fracture lasagna noodles and nestle them into the sauce, ensuring complete submersion and even distribution.
- Pour liquid (water or broth) into the skillet, gently pressing noodles to guarantee uniform cooking.
- Reduce heat, secure with a lid, and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring intermittently to prevent scorching.
- Once pasta reaches an al dente consistency and liquid substantially reduces, strategically distribute ricotta cheese across the surface.
- Delicately swirl ricotta, creating elegant marbled patterns without completely integrating the cheese.
- Generously shower mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the skillet, creating a molten, golden blanket.
- Return lid and continue cooking until cheese melts into a luxurious, bubbling layer.
- Finish by adorning with freshly chopped herbs and serve immediately for maximum flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Customize the meat by using ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein option.
- Swap traditional noodles with gluten-free or whole wheat lasagna noodles to suit different dietary needs.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium marinara sauce and reducing added salt.
- Enhance flavor complexity by incorporating fresh herbs like basil or oregano directly into the sauce during cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg