Quick & Easy Skillet Lasagna: Your 20-Minute Weeknight Italian Comfort Meal
Imagine the rich, savory taste of classic lasagna, complete with tender pasta, a robust beef and tomato sauce, and gooey melted mozzarella cheese. Now imagine getting all that incredible flavor on your dinner table in just 20 minutes, using only one pan. Sound like a dream? It’s not! This quick skillet lasagna recipe is here to transform your busy weeknights, offering all the hearty satisfaction of your favorite Italian meal without the long wait or complicated layering.
Forget the endless stacking and oven baking. Our one-pan wonder simplifies the process into a few easy steps: brown, simmer, and enjoy! It’s the ultimate weeknight solution for families, earning rave reviews from kids and adults alike. Prepare to make this incredibly simple yet flavorful dish a regular in your rotation.
One-Pot Lasagnette with Ground Beef and Mozzarella: A Flavorful Shortcut
For many, lasagna evokes memories of special occasions and comforting family gatherings. Growing up, a traditional lasagna meant hours of preparation, simmering sauces, boiling noodles, and patiently waiting for it to bake to perfection. While those memories are cherished, the reality of a busy Tuesday evening often leaves little time for such elaborate culinary endeavors.
That’s where this ingenious one-pot lasagnette comes in. It captures the essence of that beloved celebration dish – the rich, deeply savory tomato and ground beef sauce, the tender pasta pieces, and the irresistible blanket of melted mozzarella cheese – all without the fuss. This recipe is my secret weapon after a long day; it delivers maximum comfort and flavor with minimal effort. The best part? Empty plates are practically guaranteed, signaling a dinner that truly satisfies everyone at the table.
This streamlined approach to lasagna, often called “deconstructed” or “skillet lasagna,” keeps all the core flavors intact while dramatically cutting down on cooking time and cleanup. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly magical, even on the busiest of schedules.
Why This Quick Skillet Lasagna Will Become Your Go-To Recipe
There are countless reasons to fall in love with this fast and flavorful skillet lasagna:
- One Pan = Less Mess (and More Relaxation!): The biggest selling point for any weeknight meal! Cooking everything in a single skillet means significantly less washing up after dinner. No multiple pots for pasta, no baking dishes – just one pan to clean. This frees up your precious evening time for family, hobbies, or simply relaxing.
- Done in 20 Minutes – Start to Finish: This isn’t an exaggeration. From chopping your onion to dishing out your first serving, this meal genuinely comes together in under half an hour. It’s faster than ordering takeout and infinitely more satisfying. Perfect for those evenings when time is of the essence but you still crave a homemade, hearty meal.
- Comfort Food with Real Flavor: Despite its speed, this lasagna doesn’t compromise on taste. The robust combination of seasoned ground beef, fragrant garlic and onion, rich sieved tomatoes, and savory Italian herbs creates a deeply satisfying sauce. Add the creamy, melted mozzarella, and you have a dish that truly warms the soul.
- Great for Meal Prep and Freezer-Friendly: Cook a larger batch and enjoy the convenience throughout the week. This skillet lasagna reheats beautifully, making it ideal for packed lunches or quick dinners. Portions can also be frozen for up to two months, offering a delicious homemade meal ready whenever you need it most.
- Budget-Friendly and Uses Pantry Staples: Most ingredients for this recipe are likely already in your kitchen or easily found at any grocery store. Ground beef, onions, garlic, canned tomatoes, and pasta sheets are affordable staples that combine to create an impressive and economical meal, helping you save money without sacrificing quality or taste.
Top Tips for the Perfect Skillet Lasagna
While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, these tips will help ensure your skillet lasagna turns out perfectly every time:
- Embrace Fresh Lasagna Sheets: Using fresh lasagna sheets is truly a game-changer for speed and texture. They cook much faster directly in the sauce compared to dry pasta, absorbing the flavors beautifully and giving that authentic, tender lasagna bite. If you can’t find fresh sheets, fresh pappardelle or tagliatelle work wonderfully too, or even broken dry lasagna noodles (cooked separately first).
- Don’t Skip the Mirepoix (or Soffritto!): The onion, carrot, and celery combination (known as mirepoix in French or soffritto in Italian) is the flavor base of many classic Italian sauces. Even in a quick recipe, taking a couple of minutes to sauté these aromatics properly develops a foundational depth of flavor that makes a huge difference.
- Quality Ingredients Matter: Since there are relatively few ingredients, the quality of each shines through. Use good quality ground beef (or a beef/pork mix for extra richness), flavorful passata (sieved tomatoes), and fresh mozzarella for the best results.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: The amount of liquid needed can vary slightly based on your pan size and heat. If the sauce seems too thick, a splash of water or extra stock can loosen it. If it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce.
- Gentle Stirring is Key: When the pasta is cooking in the sauce, stir gently once or twice to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and ensure even cooking.
Crafting Your Skillet Lasagna: A Deconstructed Delight
Traditional lasagna is a masterpiece of layers – pasta, rich ragu, creamy béchamel, and cheese, all baked until golden and bubbly. While undeniably delicious, it’s an endeavor for weekends or special occasions. This skillet version is a revelation, offering all the beloved flavors and textures in a fraction of the time, making it ideal for the demands of modern life.
By cooking the pasta directly in the flavorful tomato and beef sauce, you infuse every strand with incredible taste and eliminate the need for pre-boiling. The single-pan method means the sauce and pasta meld together seamlessly, creating a harmonious dish that feels both gourmet and homey. The melting mozzarella and grated Parmesan on top provide that quintessential cheesy finish that makes any lasagna irresistible.
This recipe celebrates simplicity without sacrificing substance. It’s an ode to hearty Italian cooking, adapted for the busy cook, proving that truly satisfying meals don’t always require hours in the kitchen.
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📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef, or half beef/half pork
- 1 carrot, grated
- 1 stick celery, finely chopped
- 1 beef stock cube
- 2 ¼ cup sieved tomatoes, passata
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ pound fresh lasagna sheets, or fresh papardelle / tagliatelle
- 1 cup buffalo mozzarella, torn in pieces
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 5 leaves fresh basil, chopped
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Put a large frying pan or deep skillet on medium heat. Add a bit of olive oil. Ensure the pan is large enough to hold all ingredients comfortably.1 tablespoon olive oil
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Add the finely chopped onion and garlic to the hot olive oil. Sauté for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become fragrant and translucent. This step forms the aromatic base of your sauce.1 onion, 2 cloves garlic
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Increase the heat slightly and add the ground beef (or beef/pork mixture) to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook for about 3 minutes until it’s evenly browned and crumbly. Drain any excess fat if necessary.1 pound ground beef
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Stir in the grated carrot, finely chopped celery, and the crumbled beef stock cube. Continue to cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly and the flavors to meld.1 carrot, 1 stick celery, 1 beef stock cube
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Pour in the sieved tomatoes (passata), then season with Italian herbs and dried oregano. Stir well to combine all ingredients. If the sauce appears too thick, add a small amount of water (about ¼ cup) or vegetable/beef broth to reach your desired consistency. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.2 ¼ cup sieved tomatoes, 1 teaspoon Italian herbs, ½ teaspoon dried oregano
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Tear the fresh lasagna sheets into bite-sized pieces or strips. Distribute them evenly over the simmering sauce. Gently press the pasta pieces into the sauce with a spoon, ensuring they are fully submerged and covered by the liquid. This allows them to cook properly and absorb all the delicious flavors.
👉 Using dry pasta (like penne, fusilli, or broken dry lasagna noodles)? It’s best to cook it separately in a pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente. Then, drain and gently mix it into the prepared sauce before proceeding to the next step.
½ pound fresh lasagna sheets -
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan tightly with a lid or aluminum foil, and let it cook for 8-10 minutes. This steaming action will cook the pasta to perfection. Stir gently once or twice during this period to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan and ensure even cooking. The pasta should be tender when done.
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Once the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat. Generously scatter the torn buffalo mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the hot lasagna. Cover the pan again for a couple of minutes to allow the cheese to melt into a gooey, delicious layer. Finally, garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving.1 cup buffalo mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, 5 leaves fresh basil
Notes
- Want it vegetarian? Skip the meat and double up on grated carrot, add zucchini, mushrooms, or cooked brown lentils for texture and protein.
- No lasagna sheets? Use fresh tagliatelle, fusilli, penne, or even break dry spaghetti into smaller pieces. Remember to cook dry pasta separately before mixing it into the sauce.
- Cheese swap: Get creative with your cheese! Try a mix of sharp cheddar and mozzarella, dollops of creamy ricotta, or a sprinkle of tangy goat cheese for a delicious twist.
- Can I use gluten-free pasta? Absolutely. Cook gluten-free pasta separately according to package directions, then drain and gently mix it into the sauce before topping with cheese. This prevents it from getting mushy during the simmer.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a bit of heat.
- Add greens: Stir in a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrition.
2. Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store any leftover skillet lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen!
- Freezer: This dish freezes wonderfully. Divide cooled portions into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Make sure to leave a little headspace in the container for expansion.
- Thaw & Reheat: To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce seems too thick. You can also microwave individual portions until heated through. For that fresh, melty finish, add a little extra cheese on top during reheating.
Nutrition
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Serving Suggestions for Your Skillet Lasagna
This quick skillet lasagna is a complete meal on its own, packed with protein, vegetables, and pasta. However, you can elevate your dining experience with a few simple additions:
- Fresh Green Salad: A crisp side salad with a light vinaigrette is the perfect counterpoint to the richness of the lasagna. Think mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
- Crusty Bread or Garlic Bread: Ideal for soaking up every last drop of that delicious sauce. Garlic bread also adds another layer of flavor and texture.
- Steamed Vegetables: A side of simply steamed green beans, asparagus, or broccoli can add extra freshness and nutrients.
- A Sprinkle of Herbs: Beyond basil, a fresh sprinkle of chopped parsley or a pinch of red pepper flakes can enhance the flavors just before serving.
More Quick & Delicious Pasta Recipes
If you loved the simplicity and speed of this skillet lasagna, you’ll definitely want to explore more of our easy pasta dishes. From creamy sauces to vibrant pesto creations, there’s always a fast and satisfying pasta meal waiting for you:
- 30-Minute Pesto Chicken Pasta Dinner
- 15-Minute Creamy Scampi Tagliatelle
- Classic Baked Mac and Cheese
Recipe and photography: by Andr̩a Janssen Рhttps://www.byandreajanssen.com