It’s been a year since my cookbook, Dinnertime SOS: 100 Sanity-Saving Meals Parents and Kids of All Ages Will Actually Want to Eat, came out and it has been such an amazing experience to hear from so many families who have found it to be useful in simplifying dinner. My own family has a few favorite dishes in regular rotation including the Sloppy Joe Sandwich Pockets (the meat is stuffed into a bun so it doesn’t fall out everywhere!), Caprese Pasta Salad, Sheet Pan Chocolate Chip Pancakes, and so many more. And to celebrate the anniversary, I am so happy to share another favorite today: Skillet Lasagna, with tender noodles, creamy cheese, and tons of yummy flavor! It’s perfect for the whole family or as an easy toddler dinner. I love this one-pan pasta recipe because it’s such a good example of the recipes in the book: short ingredient list with items you can find in any grocery store, easy cooking method that’s mostly hands off, and really yummy flavor. This dinner works just as well as a weeknight family dinner or a holiday main dish and has all of the classic flavors and textures of traditional lasagna, but with less work. My daughter’s review? “The textures…the textures! It’s like they are exploding in my brain!” Enjoy the easy pasta recipe and find more doable recipes for your everyday in my bok, Dinnertime SOS, available everywhere books are sold. (You may also like Ricotta Meatballs, One-Pot Taco Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce, and Lentil Sauce for Pasta.)
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to have on hand to make Skillet Lasagna so you know what to pick up from the store or have ready. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Lasagna noodles: Use traditional lasagna noodles, not the no-boil kind, in this recipe. Marinara sauce: You can use any tomato or pasta sauce you like including marinara sauce, meat sauce, garlic sauce, or other variety. Ricotta cheese: This cheese gives the Skillet Lasagna the classic flavor and texture we crave, so be sure it use it. I prefer whole-milk ricotta. Shredded mozzarella: We add this cheese to the pot once the noodles are softened for ultimate cheesiness. Grated Parmesan cheese: This adds extra flavor in the Skillet Lasagna recipe. You can also use shredded Parmesan, though grated often has more flavor. Fresh basil, for topping if you’d like a burst of fresh herb flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a preview of how to make this Skillet Lasagna so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of this post for the full information, including the amounts and the timing.
Serving Suggestions
Try with a salad kit, sliced cucumbers, Roasted Frozen Broccoli, garlic bread, or another simple side your family enjoys.
How to Store
Store leftover Skillet Lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat to warm through and serve.
Best Tips for Success
Use a marinara sauce that you love—it’s the primary flavoring in this recipe. (You can use meat sauce if desired, too.) At the end of Step 3, you can also stir in 1 cup cooked broccoli florets, cauliflower, or carrot rounds. You can make this with meat, if you like. Before starting Step 1, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 1 pound of ground beef, ground turkey, or ground Italian sausage in a little olive oil. Drain off any excess fat and continue as directed. If your gluten-free noodles instruct you to rinse them after cooking, prepare them as directed. Then, warm the marinara in the pan, omitting the additional water, and add the cooked g-f noodles. Proceed with the recipe. Try my Easy Sloppy Joe’s for another easy skillet dinner, too!
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please rate and comment below!
Dinner Ideas with Hamburger Meat
Super Easy Stuffed Peppers (Made in a Skillet!)
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