Lasagna is probably the ULTIMATE comfort food, but the traditional method is time consuming. Want a simpler version? It doesn't get any easier than this One Pan Skillet Lasagna recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes! Layers of rich meat sauce, pasta and cheese all done in one pan. This stove top lasagna freezes really well, so make a big batch for delicious leftovers.
We love lasagna! I mean, who doesn't? But it's a fairly labour intensive meal and then you have the wait when it goes in the oven. Not with this skillet lasagna recipe! A family favourite that is perfect for busy weeknights!
This is a one pot lasagna, with minimal layering and still all the comforting flavours you know and love from a lasagna. Comfort food just got easy with pan lasagna.
If you are looking for more easy comfort food, why not try our quick Prawn and Chorizo Pasta, easy Ratatouille or our delicious Slow Cooker Lamb Rogan Josh?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Oil - Use a good quality olive oil.
- Shallots - You can use any onion, but we think shallots makes it a little sweeter. You can use frozen onions to save time.
- Garlic - Freshly crushed is best, but to save time you can use garlic paste or frozen garlic.
- Mushrooms - These are a great way to bulk out a lasagna, as they have a real meaty texture. Try to use a selection of mushrooms with oyster, shiitake and portobello.
- Spinach - We always love a way to add a green veggie boost, and this is an easy way, You could add frozen spinach, but you would need to add less water.
- Beef mince - We use lean less than 5% fat for our skillet lasagna recipe. You can use a vegetarian meat alternative if you prefer or even a beef and pork mix. To make it even leaner, why not use turkey mince.
- Pasta sauce - You could use a good quality store bought one to save time, or you could use our Passata Pasta Sauce.
- Lasagna sheets - We used dried lasagna sheets, but you could use fresh, which would cook a little quicker.
- Cheese - Ricotta, Parmesan and mozzarella all go well in a lasagna skillet. You could add cottage cheese for a protein boost.
Variations
This lasagna in a pan is a great opportunity to get some extra vegetables in your meal. We kept it fairly traditional with shallots and mushrooms, however you could add some finely chopped carrots and celery or some aubergine (eggplant) and courgette (zucchini).
Corn goes well and our kids love that addition. Once you have added the beef mince, you could wilt some spinach in for a green boost too.
If you didn't want to use lasagna sheets, you could just add some cooked pasta shapes on. Kind of like a stove top pasta bake.
For something a little different in this one pan skillet lasagna, rather than beef mince you could use Italian sausage meat, which has loads of flavour.
How To Make One Pan Skillet Lasagna - Step By Step
- Step 1: Heat the oil in a pan and add the shallots, mushrooms and garlic. Gently cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add the mince and cook for 3 minutes until browned.
- Step 3: Add the tomato sauce, water and spinach and stir well. Cook on low for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Break the lasagna sheets up and stir well into the sauce. Make sure there aren't clumps stuck together. Cover and cook on low for 15-20 minutes, until the lasagna sheets are soft. You may need to add a little more water.
- Step 5: Mix together the ricotta and Parmesan.
- Step 6: Give everything a big stir, still making sure the lasagna sheets are not stuck together. Add dots of the ricotta mixture to the pan and top with the mozzarella.
- Step 7: Cover and cook on a low heat for 15 minutes until the cheese has melted.
What To Serve With One Pan Skillet Lasagna
This meal pretty much has it all, but we are definitely a fan of double carbs. So, that means a few slices of homemade garlic bread on the side. Slice up a French stick and then spread it with a mix of butter and crushed garlic.
You can then sprinkle it with a little cheese and some dried herbs before putting it in the oven for around 7 minutes. You could also try our Cheesy Garlic Bread or Air Fryer Garlic Bread.
We love trying to get greens into any meal, even if they are on the side. So a big green salad like or Watercress Salad or Rocket Salad is a delicious addition to this.
You could also serve it with our Air Fryer Asparagus, Roasted Garlic and Herb Mushrooms, Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli or Spanish Olives.
Extra Tips
- Make this a vegetarian skillet lasagna by using a meat alternative, or just bulking it out with more veggies.
- If you don't want to make your own sauce, you can use your favourite pasta sauce instead.
- Give this recipe a green boost by wilting some spinach in at the same time as the beef.
- If you want to make the cheesy top nice and crispy, then pop it until the grill (broiler) for a couple of minutes before serving. A good quality, oven-proof pan is recommended for this.
- Chop up some basil and sprinkle it over before serving this one pot lasagna.
- If the sauce is too dry, add a little water, as this will help the lasagna sheets to cook.
Frequently Asked Questions
A skillet lasagna is really easy to make vegetarian. You can use your favourite meat free alternative and follow this recipe in the same way, or you could skip the meat/veggie alternative and use just all vegetables. Bulk it out with mushrooms, aubergines (eggplant), courgettes (zucchini) and bell peppers.
After it has fully cooled, portion it out (do some mini portions for kids too, as this is a kid favourite) into freezable containers and it will store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Once it is defrosted you can reheat it the microwave for a couple of minutes or in the oven until it has heated through.
You can also store this lasagna in the fridge for up to 3 days. We always make extra just because the leftovers are SO good.
Try to use a cast iron skillet for this recipe. We recommend this Cast Iron Skillet.
More Italian Recipes
If you’ve tried this skillet lasagna recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
One Pan Skillet Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 3 Shallots - peeled and diced
- 3 Garlic clove - crushed
- 6 Mushrooms - diced
- 500 g (1.1 lb) Beef mince
- 400 ml (1.66 cups) Tomato pasta sauce
- 60 g (2 cups) Spinach - chopped
- 300 ml (1.25 cups) Water
- 10 Dried lasagna sheets
- 40 g (0.33 cups) Parmesan cheese - grated
- 240 g (1 cups) Ricotta
- 115 g (1 cups) Mozzarella - grated
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon Olive oil in a pan and add 3 Shallots, 6 Mushrooms and 3 Garlic clove. Gently cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- Add 500 g Beef mince and cook for 3 minutes until browned.
- Add 400 ml Tomato pasta sauce, 300 ml Water and 60 g Spinach. Stir and cook on low for 2 minutes.
- Break 10 Dried lasagna sheets up and stir well into the sauce. Make sure there aren't clumps stuck together. Cover and cook on low for 15-20 minutes, until the lasagna sheets are soft. You may need to add a little more water.
- Mix together 240 g Ricotta and 40 g Parmesan cheese.
- Give the pasta and sauce a big stir, still making sure the lasagna sheets are not stuck together. Add dots of the ricotta mixture to the pan and then top with 115 g Mozzarella.
- Cover and cook on a low heat for 15 minutes until the cheese has melted.
Recipe Tips
- Make this a vegetarian skillet lasagna by using a meat alternative, or just bulking it out with more veggies.
- If you don't want to make your own sauce, you can use your favourite pasta sauce instead.
- Give this recipe a green boost by wilting some spinach in at the same time as the beef.
- If you want to make the cheesy top nice and crispy, then pop it until the grill (broiler) for a couple of minutes before serving. A good quality, oven-proof pan is recommended for this.
- Chop up some basil and sprinkle it over before serving this one pot lasagna.
- If the sauce is too dry, add a little water, as this will help the lasagna sheets to cook.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Janice Pattie says
Brilliant recipe and, as I only had dried lasagne, I used that with a little more water and an extra 10 minutes cooking. Perfect! I’ll be making this again.
Dannii says
So glad you enjoyed it.
Luci says
I love an easy, tasty skillet lasagna! I paired it with a side salad and it was delicious! I can't wait to make this lasagna again.
Charla says
I'm very excited by the concept of a skillet lasagna. Such a genius idea, why did I think of that. I'm so doing this!!
Traci says
We love this lazy lasagna! It's super easy and you better double up because you'll always want more more more! LOL
Michelle says
This looks amazing! And thanks so much for the veggie tip, going to make this for dinner tonight. Lasagna in 30 minutes is my kind of lasagna!
veenaazmanov says
Amazing combination and delicious dish.My family loves such amazing meals.
kim says
This is such a fabulous recipe! So easy and tasty! I'll definitely be making this again.
Toni says
I love that it is really easy to make! Thanks for the recipe!
Mahy says
It's been a while since I made lasagna, and I have been meaning to make it for quite a while now. This recipe is so inspiring I need to make it this week!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
That looks perfect for a busy evening and low in calories too!