Easy Skillet Lasagna

When your to-do list is long and you’ve got a hungry family to feed, it’s tempting to order takeout! But before you grab the phone, consider this Easy Skillet Lasagna instead. With jumbled-up ‘layers’ of lean ground beef, curly lasagna noodles, vegetables, and cheese it’s a hearty and wholesome meal the entire family will love. 

This post was created in partnership with the Minnesota Beef Council. 

the most delicious Dinner shortcut

What You’ll Need to Make It

• Lean Ground Beef –  A 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides more than 10 essential nutrients including protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins B12 and B6 making it a smart choice for family-friendly meals like this one 
• Bell pepper
• Onions
• Zucchini
• Garlic
• Marinara sauce – Use your favorite jarred marinara or pasta
• Uncooked lasagna noodles – Skip the ‘No-Boil’ noodles and opt for good ol’ lasagna noodles (both gluten-free and wheat-based noodles will work)
• Cottage cheese – Ricotta cheese will also work but cottage cheese is easy to find in any grocery store and is budget-friendly
• Mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil
• Large skillet with lid – A skillet with a heavy-bottom and tight-fitting lid, like this 3.6-quart enameled cast-iron casserole – works really well for this recipe. You’ll need a skillet that’s about 12-inches in diameter for best results. 

3 Reasons to Make this Recipe

In case you need some convincing (beyond that saucy-cheesy goodness that just screams ‘comfort food’) here are a few reasons to make this easy recipe this week:

1. It’s packed with protein. High-quality protein, like that found in beef, plays an increasingly important role in muscle maintenance, weight management, and the prevention of chronic diseases. Research also shows the iron, zinc, and B vitamins found in beef play an essential role in developing and maintaining cognitive ability in children and adults alike.
2. It’s faster and far less labor-intensive to make than traditional lasagna. While delicious, traditional lasagna requires layering the ingredients into a casserole dish, then baking for 45 minutes or longer. This lasagna is made all in one pan and you can have it on the table in under 45 minutes with just ONE PAN and ONE spatula to wash. Amazing, really. 
3. Your family will LOVE it! And you’ll love that it’s a healthy meal that will leave your crew satisfied and nourished.

How to Make this Skillet Lasagna Recipe

Making lasagna in a skillet is definitely the way to go. You need only one pan and one spatula or spoon to pull it off. We like to call it the ‘lazy girl’ method of lasagna making. Here’s how it’s done to give you an idea of just how easy it is. The full recipe is below so if you’re already like, “Heck yes, I’m in!” then scroll down to get the recipe. 

First, start by placing a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid. When the skillet is hot, add a little oil along with the ground beef, diced zucchini, onions, and bell peppers, Italian seasoning, and garlic. That’s right, just put it all in there and break it up with a spoon. Then cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is almost cooked through. 

Next, you’ll add a jar of your favorite marinara plus some water to the skillet along with the beef and vegetables. Then crank the heat up a bit to bring the sauce just to a boil.

Once the sauce has come to a boil, use your hands to break the lasagna pieces into roughly 2-inch pieces (no need to be super precise) and add to the pan. Stir the noodles into the sauce, then place the lid on the skillet and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so to keep the noodles from sticking together, or until the noodles are tender. 

This is where it gets really good, the part where you add the cheese. Stir the cottage cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the noodles. Cook an additional 5 minutes uncovered.

Finally, add the remaining mozzarella cheese to the top, place the lid on the skillet and remove from heat. Allow the lasagna to stand for 5 minutes while the sauce thickens and the cheese melts. Remove the lid and if desired, place the skillet under the broiler and broil for 3-5 minutes to crisp up the cheese. Garnish with fresh basil and serve. 

How to Serve

The first that comes to mind when we think of lasagna is salad and garlic bread, but sautéed or roasted green beans or broccoli also make a delicious addition to your plate. Our Olive Garden Copycat Salad never disappoints!

How to Store

Any leftover lasagna can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat from frozen, we recommend thawing the lasagna in the fridge for 24-48 hours before reheating in the microwave on high heat for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.

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This post was made possible by our friends at the Minnesota Beef Council. Although we received compensation for this post, the opinions expressed here are – as always – 100% our own. Thank you for supporting the great companies we work with thereby allowing us to continue creating great recipes and content for you.

All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!

Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Jess of Plays Well with Butter.