Easy Skillet Lasagna Recipe

Last Updated on May 14, 2020 by Heather

This Easy Skillet Lasagna Recipe only takes 30 MINUTES and ONE POT to make! Bursting with classic lasagna flavor, this stove top lasagna is quick, easy and oh so cheesy .. and so much easier to make than traditional lasagna. 

Skillet lasagna.  Yup, just like THAT I have your attention.

If you are looking for an easy skillet lasagna recipe, this is it!!

I confess, classic Italian dishes are my jam!

Chicken Parmesan, White Chicken Lasagna, classic lasagna ..  these are all ultimate comfort food meals.

But lasagna has to be my favorite! The tender lasagna noodles, the spaghetti sauce, the 3000 pounds of cheese (swoon!).

But what I don’t love about my favorite lasagna recipe is the time it takes to make it and all the dishes that goes into making a pan of lasagna.

Breaking up and ghosting on a big pan of traditional lasagna probably helps my waistline but not my tummy!

So what if we take the all of the extra work and extra pans out of the equation and instead make a skillet lasagna.. aka stove top lasagna… in just 30 minutes?

That’s right!!! Put all of those things together and now we have the perfect 30 minute meal, Easy Skillet Lasagna Recipe. Now any night can be lasagna night!!

easy beef lasagna recipe

When it comes to easy beef lasagna, this deconstructed lasagna recipe is my favorite.

First, you have tender lasagna noodles cooked perfectly in your favorite spaghetti sauce using just ONE pan.

One pan!!! That means you aren’t destroying your kitchen and using have a dozen vessels to serve up a pan of traditional lasagna.

Let’s also take a minute to talk about cheese. This stove top lasagna recipe has three kinds of cheese in it. THREE!

Mozzarella cheese, ricotta and Parmesan cheese because you simply can’t have lasagna unless its cheesy lasagna. What is the actual point if it’s not???

Did I mention you don’t even need to boil the lasagna noodles separately??? Win.. win.. win!!

why this skillet lasagna is the best

• This skillet lasagna is a quick and easy take on your favorite traditional lasagna recipe.
• Made using only one pan, this is a family favorite 30 minute meal.
• This stove top lasagna recipe saves you time by using only one pan and no pre-boiling noodles!
• Perfect comfort food, this skillet lasagna is a deconstructed lasagna ready in half the time.
• No more waiting for special occasions just to enjoy you favorite lasagna recipe!

To make this Easy Skillet Lasagna recipe, you will need:

• Ground beef or turkey
• Spaghetti sauce
• Ricotta cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Lasagna noodles
• Water
• Garlic cloves
• Onion
• Sugar (optional)
• Seasonings
• Basil

how do you make stove top lasagna?

Start by browning a pound of ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat and once cooked, drain the grease and return the meat to the pan. 

Add in the chopped onion and garlic and cook for 1 – 2 minutes.

Next, break up lasagna noodles into bite sized pieces and add to the pan. 

Add in your favorite spaghetti sauce, water and seasonings and stir to combine. 

Stir lasagna noodles and push them gently down into the sauce until they are all covered in the liquid. 

Cover and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes or until al dente.  Stir the noodles occasionally to make sure they do not stick together. 

Once lasagna noodles are cooked, remove cover and spoon in ricotta, basil and Parmesan cheese.

Stir to combine.  Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and cover again for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Serve immediately.

pro tips for perfect skillet lasagna

• I use a large, deep skillet (with a lid) to make this lasagna recipe but any large pan should work.
• Be sure to use regular lasagna noodles in this recipe and not the no-boil / pre-cooked kind. 
• Each time you stir your skillet lasagna, be sure to gently push down on the pasta so that it’s all submerged in tomato sauce before recovering with the lid.
• Use your favorite fresh herbs. I use just basil but feel free to use a combination of basil, oregano, thyme, parsley. 
• Be sure to taste and adjust seasonings at the end before topping with the mozzarella cheese. 
• I prefer to add a bit of sugar to my spaghetti sauce but feel free to omit this if you are a die hard fan of your sauce.
• Customize this easy lasagna recipe to suit your tastes. Want to use Italian sausage instead of ground beef? Go for it! Want to add veggies? Do it!! Make this recipe your own!!

cooking lasagna noodles

Need one extra reason to love this stove top lasagna? You don’t need to boil the lasagna noodles separate and ahead of time for this deconstructed lasagna recipe. 

That is the beauty of this easy one pot meal, the heat from the stove and the liquid from the sauce is enough to cook the lasagna noodles for you.

ricotta cheese substitute

If ricotta cheese is just not your thing, you can still easily make and enjoy this easy skillet lasagna recipe.

Cream Cheese is a great substitute as is cottage cheese, a quick bechamel sauce, a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and even regular sour cream.

more easy 30 minute meals

• Easy Baked Fish Tacos
• Cheesy Taco Chicken Quesadillas
• Baked Taco Pasta Casserole
• Pasta Primavera
• Baked Tortellini Casserole

Enjoy ♥ Heather

Easy Skillet Lasagna Recipe

This Easy Skillet Lasagna Recipe only takes 30 MINUTES and ONE POT to make! Bursting with classic lasagna flavor, this stove top lasagna is quick, easy and oh so cheesy .. and so much easier to make than traditional lasagna. 

5 from 12 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 6 each

Calories: 596kcal

Author: Heather - A Wicked Whisk

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 48 ounces spaghetti sauce
• 2 cups water
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 large onion chopped
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
• 1 tablespoon sugar optional
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons fresh basil
• 12 ounces lasagna noodles broken

Instructions

• Start by browning a pound of ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat and once cooked, drain the grease and return the meat to the pan.  
• Add in the chopped onion and garlic and cook for 1 - 2 minutes. Next, break up lasagna noodles into bite sized pieces and add to the pan.  Add in your favorite spaghetti sauce, water and seasonings and stir to combine.  Stir noodles and push them gently down into the sauce until they are all covered in the liquid. Cover and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes or until al dente.  
• Stir the noodles occasionally to make sure they do not stick together. Once noodles are cooked, remove cover and spoon in ricotta, basil and Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and cover again for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Notes

• I use a large, deep skillet (with a lid) to make this lasagna recipe but any large pan should work.
• Be sure to use regular lasagna noodles in this recipe and not the no-boil / pre-cooked kind. 
• Each time you stir your skillet lasagna, be sure to gently push down on the pasta so that it's all submerged in tomato sauce before recovering with the lid.
• Use your favorite fresh herbs. I use just basil but feel free to use a combination of basil, oregano, thyme, parsley. 
• Be sure to taste and adjust seasonings at the end before topping with the mozzarella cheese. 
• I prefer to add a bit of sugar to my spaghetti sauce but feel free to omit this if you are a die hard fan of your sauce.
• Customize this easy lasagna recipe to suit your tastes. Want to use Italian sausage instead of ground beef? Go for it! Want to add veggies? Do it!! Make this recipe your own!!

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cup | Calories: 596kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 1700mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin C: 6.6mg | Calcium: 7500mg | Iron: 0.7mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @AWickedWhisk or tag #AWickedWhisk!

Update Notes: This post was originally published in April of 2018 but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions and tips in May of 2020.