Description
This Quick Cast Iron Skillet Lasagna is a convenient and delicious one-pan meal, perfect for busy weeknights. It combines broken lasagna noodles, savory ground beef or Italian sausage, and rich cheeses, all cooked together in a cast iron skillet for a comforting Italian-American favorite that’s ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cook the meat: Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook thoroughly, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add the sauce and seasonings: Stir in marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, mixing well to combine.
- Incorporate noodles and simmer: Add the broken lasagna noodles into the skillet, stirring to ensure they are fully submerged in the sauce. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover the skillet, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and until the noodles are tender.
- Add cheeses and melt: Drop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese evenly over the cooked mixture. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Cover again and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- Use oven-ready noodles to reduce cooking time slightly.
- Substitute ground turkey or a plant-based alternative for a lighter version.
- If the sauce becomes too thick during cooking, add a splash of water to loosen it.
