This Skillet Lasagna gives you everything you love about the original, just in a speedier, one-pan way. Instead of layering noodles, sauce, and cheese in a baking dish, everything cooks together in one skillet. The noodles simmer right in the sauce, the beef browns in the same pan, and the cheeses melt into gooey perfection on top. It’s an easy lasagna recipe with the same familiar flavours and cozy comfort, but with a timeline that works even after a long day at work.

What makes this skillet lasagna recipe shine is how the flavours build step by step. Garlic, shallot, carrot, and celery soften into a savoury base, then the herbs and spices bring in depth. As the noodles cook, they absorb all that flavour, so every bite tastes like it’s been simmering away all afternoon. A swirl of ricotta folded in at the end makes it creamy, while mozzarella and parmesan melted over top give it that classic bubbly finish. It’s hearty, cheesy, and comforting in all the right ways. If you love my Marry Me Chicken Meatballs or my Eggplant Parmigiana, you’re going to love this skillet lasagna recipe too.

😍 Why You’ll Love This Skillet Lasagna

One-pan wonder: all the classic lasagna layers come together in a single skillet with minimal cleanup.
Quick & easy: no fussing with layering or long bake times. This version is ready in about 30 minutes.
Cheesy comfort: ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan create that perfect gooey, melty goodness.
Family-friendly: hearty, satisfying, and a guaranteed hit for both kids and adults.
Customizable: swap in different proteins, extra veggies, or even a creamy white sauce for a fun twist.

🍝 Ingredients To Make This Skillet Lasagna Recipe

Olive oil: used to sauté the vegetables and build the flavour base.
Lasagna noodles: broken into smaller pieces so they cook right in the sauce, giving you that classic lasagna texture without layering.
Lean ground beef: hearty, savoury, and the main protein in this skillet lasagna.
Ricotta cheese: creamy and mild, stirred in at the end for little pockets of richness.
Mozzarella cheese: the gooey, melty topping that makes it irresistible.
Parmesan cheese: adds salty, nutty depth and balances all the richness.
Tomato pasta sauce: the saucy foundation; homemade or a good-quality store-bought works here.
Water: helps loosen the sauce so the noodles cook evenly.

Garlic cloves: bring warm, aromatic flavour to the base of the sauce.
Shallot: slightly sweeter than onion, adding a gentle savoury note.
Carrot: finely chopped to add a touch of sweetness and balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Celery stick: adds a subtle earthy flavour.
Italian seasoning: a blend of herbs that keeps the sauce classic and full of flavour.
Onion powder: boosts the sauce without overpowering.
Smoked paprika: adds a subtle smokiness that deepens the sauce.
Fennel seeds: give the sauce a earthy, sweet flavor.
Red pepper flakes: a gentle heat that can be adjusted to your taste.
Salt: enhances all the flavours and ties everything together.
Fresh basil: the final touch for freshness and colour.

✔️ How To Make This Skillet Lasagna

To start, begin by prepping your vegetables. Finely chop the garlic, shallot, carrot, and celery, then set them aside until ready to use. This little step makes the cooking process much smoother later on. Next, place a large deep skillet over medium heat and drizzle in the olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the garlic, shallot, carrot, and celery. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until they soften and turn fragrant.

After that, sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, onion powder, smoked paprika, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir everything together for about a minute.

Now, increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef straight into the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook for 4–5 minutes, or until it’s fully browned and no pink remains. Once the beef is cooked, pour in the tomato sauce along with the water. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

🤝 Sammy’s Tip for This Skillet Lasagna Recipe

• Stir occasionally to avoid the lasagna from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

At this point, break the lasagna noodles into roughly 1–2 inch pieces and stir them into the sauce. Make sure they’re well coated so they cook evenly. Then, cover the skillet with a lid and bring everything to a boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer gently for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the noodles are tender.

When the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat and gently stir in the ricotta, folding it through the sauce so it melts into creamy pockets. Then, sprinkle the mozzarella and parmesan evenly over the top.

Finally, place the skillet under a preheated broiler for 1–2 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbling with golden spots. Alternatively, if you’d rather not broil, simply cover the skillet with the lid and cook over low heat for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted.

To finish, garnish generously with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.

🗒️ Variations

Make it spicy: add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne for more heat.
White skillet lasagna: skip the tomato sauce and use a Alfredo-style sauce instead.

🗒️ Substitutions

Meat sub: use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option, or Italian sausage for more robust flavour.
Gluten-free: sub in gluten-free lasagna noodles or another gluten-free pasta shape.
Ricotta alternative: cottage cheese works well if that’s what you have on hand; just make sure to drain it first.
Pasta swap: broken rigatoni, penne, or even bowties all work if you don’t have lasagna noodles.

🍴 Leftovers? Lucky you.

If you happen to have leftover skillet lasagna, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a splash of water or extra tomato sauce to loosen it up. You can also freeze portions for up to 2 months; just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

🤔 FAQ’S

👩🏻‍🍳 Hungry For More? 

If you loved this Skillet Lasagna recipe, then make sure to check out a few of my other favourites you may also love:

• Marry Me Chicken Meatballs
• Blackened Chicken Alfredo
• Eggplant Parmigiana
• Stuffed Eggplant
• Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
• Caramelized Onion Pasta

💌 Let’s Stay Connected

Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest! If you do make this skillet lasagna recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.