Skillet Lasagna

Who says lasagna has to be a weekend project? This one-pan wonder delivers all the cozy, cheesy comfort of traditional lasagna in just 35 minutes. No layering, no fuss – just pure Italian comfort food magic right in your skillet.

The secret is in the technique: breaking up the noodles and cooking them directly in the sauce creates layers of flavor as the pasta releases its starches, making the sauce even richer and more velvety. Plus, with three kinds of cheese melted to golden perfection, every bite delivers that Instagram-worthy cheese pull we all crave.

Ingredients

For the Base:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 lb Italian sausage
• 2 cloves garlic
• 24 oz pasta sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

For the Pasta:

• 9 lasagna noodles

For the Cheese Layer:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Steps

1. Heat a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil and Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks (8-10 minutes) until no pink remains and edges are lightly browned.
2. Add minced garlic to the sausage and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Watch carefully as garlic can burn quickly.
3. Pour in pasta sauce, water, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – these add flavor!
4. Break lasagna noodles into 1-2 inch pieces. Stir into sauce, ensuring all pieces are submerged. This prevents tough, dry edges.
5. Increase heat to medium-high and cover. Once bubbling (2-3 minutes), reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer covered for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking.
6. Meanwhile, combine ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a bowl. The mixture should be smooth but not overmixed.
7. Test noodle tenderness with a fork. They should be al dente – tender but with slight resistance. If needed, add 1/4 cup water and continue cooking.
8. Drop ricotta mixture in 2 Tbsp dollops over the noodles. Sprinkle with mozzarella.
9. Either:

• Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is bubbly and spotted golden brown
• OR cover and cook on medium-low for 5 minutes until melted

Smart Swaps

• Replace Italian sausage with 1/2 lb ground turkey plus 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Use whole wheat lasagna noodles for extra fiber
• Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta (blend until smooth first)

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Use Palmini lasagna noodles (hearts of palm) to reduce carbs by 75%
• Choose sugar-free marinara sauce (saves 4g carbs per serving)
• Portion into 1.5 cup servings (approximately 24g net carbs)

Pro Tips

• Don’t skip the water – it’s crucial for properly cooking the noodles
• Let rest 5 minutes before serving to set the cheese
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting
• Keep extra hot water nearby in case sauce gets too thick