Quick Skillet Lasagna
This Quick Skillet Lasagna is a delightful twist on the classic dish, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Combining a rich meat sauce with tender pasta, creamy ricotta, and fresh basil, this recipe brings comfort and flavor in under an hour. A one-pan meal that saves you time on cleanup without sacrificing the deliciousness of a traditional lasagna, making it a family favorite.
4-6 servings
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Diced tomatoes
28 ounces (can, with juice)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
Onion
1 (minced)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (for onion, additional to taste)
Garlic cloves
3 (minced)
Red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon (none, or more for spicier flavor)
Meatloaf mix (ground beef and pork)
1 pound (none)
Lasagna noodles
8 ounces (curly-edged, broken into 2-inch lengths)
Tomato sauce
8 ounces (can)
Parmesan cheese
1 ounce (grated (1/2 cup), plus extra for serving)
Pepper
to taste (none)
Whole milk ricotta cheese
8 ounces (about 1 cup)
Fresh basil
1/4 cup (minced)
Instructions
1
Pour the diced tomatoes with their juice into a measuring cup, adding water until the total volume reaches 4 cups.
2
In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
3
Add minced onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until the onion softens, about 5 minutes.
4
Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook until fragrant, approximately 15 seconds.
5
Add the meatloaf mix to the skillet; cook, breaking the meat into small pieces using a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
6
Evenly sprinkle broken lasagna noodle pieces over the meat mixture.
7
Pour tomatoes and tomato sauce evenly over the pasta.
8
Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, simmering and stirring occasionally until pasta is tender, about 20 minutes. The sauce should remain watery after 15 minutes; if dry, add up to 1/4 cup additional water.
9
Remove skillet from heat; stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10
Dot ricotta cheese in heaping tablespoons over the pasta. Cover and let stand off the heat for 5 minutes.
11
Garnish with fresh minced basil. Serve the skillet lasagna, passing extra Parmesan cheese for topping.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Quick Skillet Lasagna?
Quick Skillet Lasagna is a one-pan version of the classic Italian dish that combines meat sauce, pasta, and creamy cheeses in under an hour.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 4 to 6 servings.
What is the total cooking time for this dish?
The dish can be completed in under an hour, with about 20 minutes specifically for simmering the pasta.
What type of skillet is best for this recipe?
A 12-inch nonstick skillet is recommended to prevent the pasta from sticking and to ensure even cooking.
How do I prepare the tomato base?
Pour 28 ounces of canned diced tomatoes with their juice into a measuring cup and add enough water to reach a total volume of 4 cups.
What meat is used in this skillet lasagna?
The recipe calls for 1 pound of meatloaf mix, which is a combination of ground beef and ground pork.
Do I need to boil the lasagna noodles separately?
No, the noodles are broken into 2-inch pieces and cooked directly in the skillet with the sauce.
What kind of lasagna noodles should I use?
Standard curly-edged lasagna noodles are recommended, broken into smaller lengths.
How do I prepare the onion?
One onion should be minced and cooked in olive oil until soft, which takes about 5 minutes.
When do I add the garlic?
Add the minced garlic after the onions have softened, cooking for about 15 seconds until fragrant.
How can I make the lasagna spicier?
You can increase the amount of red pepper flakes beyond the suggested 1/8 teaspoon for a spicier flavor.
What should I do if the sauce looks dry while simmering?
If the sauce looks dry after 15 minutes of simmering, you can add up to 1/4 cup of additional water.
How long should the meat cook?
Cook the meatloaf mix for about 5 minutes, breaking it into small pieces until it is no longer pink.
When do I add the tomato sauce?
The 8 ounces of tomato sauce should be poured over the broken pasta and meat mixture before simmering.
What type of cheese is stirred into the sauce?
One-half cup (1 ounce) of grated Parmesan cheese is stirred into the lasagna after it is removed from the heat.
How is the ricotta cheese added?
Dot the ricotta cheese in heaping tablespoons over the top of the pasta rather than stirring it in.
Does the ricotta need to be low-fat?
The recipe specifies 8 ounces of whole milk ricotta cheese for the best creamy texture.
How long should the dish rest after cooking?
Cover the skillet and let it stand off the heat for 5 minutes after adding the ricotta.
What garnish is used for this lasagna?
The dish is garnished with 1/4 cup of fresh minced basil.
Can I add extra salt?
Yes, you should season the dish with salt and pepper to taste after the simmering process is complete.
Is this a good recipe for weeknights?
Yes, it is designed for busy weeknights because it uses only one pan and saves time on cleanup.
What is the role of olive oil in this recipe?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used to sauté the onions and garlic at the start of the cooking process.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients, including the seasonings and garnish.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized as a One Dish Meal.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
The recipe specifically calls for canned diced tomatoes with juice to ensure there is enough liquid to cook the noodles.
Should the heat be high during simmering?
No, after bringing the mixture to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low.
How much Parmesan cheese do I need?
You need 1/2 cup for the sauce, plus extra for passing at the table.
Do I need to stir the pasta while it simmers?
Yes, stir the mixture occasionally while it simmers to ensure the noodles cook evenly.
What size should the broken noodle pieces be?
The lasagna noodles should be broken into approximately 2-inch lengths.
Can I substitute the meatloaf mix?
While meatloaf mix provides great flavor, you could substitute it with all ground beef or a mix of beef and Italian sausage.