One Skillet Lasagna Recipe

Can I be honest? I used to think making lasagna meant hours stuck in the kitchen, layering noodles, sauces, and cheese like some kind of culinary jigsaw puzzle. But then I discovered this One Skillet Lasagna Recipe, and it completely changed the game for me. Imagine all the deep, rich flavors of a classic lasagna, but thrown together in one pan, cooking on your stovetop, with less mess and way less stress. The magic is in how everything melds together—the savory tomato sauce bubbling up, the cheese melting into creamy pockets, and those tender noodles soaking up all that goodness. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to pull out whenever you need comfort food fast, but without compromising on flavor. Trust me, you’re going to love having this one in your repertoire.

One Skillet Lasagna Recipe: Why It Works & Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage for extra flavor)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
• 2 cups water
• 8 oven-ready lasagna noodles, broken into thirds
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Here’s why this recipe sings: using ground beef or sausage gives you that hearty base full of flavor and richness, but you don’t brown it separately in a big mess—you do it right in the skillet to save time. The small onion and garlic add depth without overpowering the tomatoes, which themselves need to be a good, robust marinara—store-bought works, but homemade makes it shine. The secret is the broken oven-ready noodles; they cook perfectly because they soak up the simmering sauce and water, eliminating the need to pre-boil and layer. It’s this closely balanced ratio of sauce to liquid that makes your noodles soft but not mushy. Then, dolloping ricotta cheese and layering with mozzarella and Parmesan creates that creamy, cheesy texture you crave in lasagna, but without assembling and baking for hours. The dried herbs bring a classic Italian vibe without you needing a spice rack full of fancy ingredients. Olive oil adds just enough fat to create a silky sauce base, making it comforting and rich but not greasy.

One Skillet Lasagna Recipe

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Master the One Skillet Lasagna Recipe for a quick delicious meal that solves dinner dilemmas and satisfies every craving

• Author: molly
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Dinner
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

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1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage for extra flavor)

1 small onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

24 ounces marinara sauce

2 cups water

8 oven-ready lasagna noodles, broken into thirds

1 cup ricotta cheese

1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

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Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add the ground beef (or sausage) and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.

Pour in the marinara sauce and the water. Stir to integrate the sauce with the meat juices.

Add dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir again to build layers of flavor.

Scatter the broken lasagna noodles evenly over the sauce—do not stir once they're added.

Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet tightly, and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes.

Dollop ricotta cheese across the top, then sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Cover again and cook for another 5 minutes or until the cheese melts fully.

Let the skillet rest off the heat for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

A quick and easy one skillet lasagna recipe that combines the deep, rich flavors of classic lasagna in one pan on the stovetop. This comforting dish uses oven-ready noodles, a savory tomato sauce, and creamy cheeses, perfect for busy weeknights with less mess and stress.

One Skillet Lasagna Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. You’ll smell the sweet aroma of the onions softening, which is your cue that flavor is building.
2. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful here—garlic cooks fast, and burnt garlic can make the whole dish bitter.
3. Bring in the ground beef (or sausage) and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. The texture will get crumbly, and you should see browned bits—that’s where flavor hides.
4. Pour in the marinara sauce and the water. Give everything a good stir so the sauce is integrated with the meat juices.
5. Add dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir again. You’re building layers of flavor here.
6. Scatter the broken lasagna noodles evenly over the sauce—don’t stir once they’re in place. You want them to soften and absorb the sauce gradually.
7. Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet tightly. Let everything simmer gently for 20-25 minutes. Resist the urge to stir; the noodles will cook through with steam and liquid.
8. After the noodles look soft, dollop ricotta cheese across the top, then sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
9. Cover again and cook for another 5 minutes or until the cheese melts into gooey perfection. You might see some bubbles around the edges—that’s your signal that it’s ready.
10. Let the skillet rest off the heat for a few minutes before serving. This helps everything settle and makes it easier to portion out.

One Skillet Lasagna Recipe: Tips for Success

• Don’t stir the noodles once they’re added. It’s tempting, but leaving them undisturbed while simmering helps them cook evenly without breaking apart into mush.
• Use oven-ready lasagna noodles. Regular pasta tends to get tougher or stick together; oven-ready ones absorb sauce and soften nicely in the skillet.
• Cover your skillet tightly. A snug lid traps steam and ensures the noodles cook perfectly, so no dry edges or crunchy bites.
• Choose good-quality marinara sauce. Since the sauce is a major flavor player here, a sauce that’s too watery or bland will drag the whole dish down.
• Let it rest a few minutes after cooking. This step solidifies the layers slightly and means cleaner servings.

One Skillet Lasagna Recipe: Storage & Reheating

You’ll probably have leftovers (lucky you!). To keep that one skillet lasagna tasting fresh, store any extras in an airtight container inside the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water or extra sauce to bring back that sauciness without drying out. You can also microwave individual portions covered loosely with a damp paper towel to keep moisture locked in. If you’ve frozen leftovers, thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating to avoid sogginess and maintain creamy texture.

One Skillet Lasagna Recipe: FAQ

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! Swap the ground beef or sausage for hearty veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or a plant-based meat substitute. Cook the veggies the same way as the meat until tender, then follow the recipe as usual. You’ll still get that rich tomato flavor and creamy cheese without missing the meat.

What if I don’t have oven-ready noodles?

If you only have regular dried lasagna noodles, you can pre-cook them until just pliable (about 6-7 minutes), drain, and then proceed with the recipe. Keep in mind it might need a bit less cooking time in the skillet since noodles are partially cooked.

Can I use a different cheese?

Feel free to experiment! While ricotta and mozzarella bring classic creaminess, you could substitute part of the mozzarella with provolone or fontina for extra meltiness or sharper flavor. Just watch the amounts to keep the balance right.

Why do I need to add water along with the marinara sauce?

Marinara sauce alone can be quite thick and intensely flavored, which risks over-thickening and uneven cooking. Adding water dilutes it just enough to help the noodles cook through evenly, creating a softer, more harmonious texture without losing any flavor.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?

You can prep the meat sauce and sauce mixture up to two days ahead and store it in the fridge. When ready, just heat it up, add the noodles, and finish the recipe from there. It’s a great way to save time on a busy evening.

Nutritional Information

Here’s an approximate breakdown per serving, based on 6 servings total:

• Calories: 450
• Fat: 20g
• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 7g

Nutritional values will vary depending on the specific brands and substitutions you choose. These estimates give you a ballpark figure for planning your meals.

One Skillet Lasagna Recipe: Final Thoughts

Every time I make this one skillet lasagna, I’m reminded how simply comfort food can come together with a little creativity and patience. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when I want something warm, cheesy, and satisfying without dealing with piles of dishes. I’d love to hear how it turns out for you—whether you stick to the classic or add your own twist. Don’t be shy about leaving a comment or rating this recipe so we can keep swapping kitchen wins. Now go on, get cooking—you’re going to nail it!