One-Pan Skillet Lasagna with Cheesy Meat Sauce

This one-pan skillet lasagna combines browned ground beef, tangy crushed tomatoes, creamy cottage cheese, and melted mozzarella for a comforting, protein-rich dinner that’s ideal for busy weeknights. Ready in under an hour, it delivers classic lasagna flavor without the time-consuming layering.

Skillet Lasagna

This easy skillet lasagna captures the hearty, familiar flavors of traditional lasagna in a single oven-safe skillet. Ground beef adds savory depth while cottage cheese and Parmesan bring creaminess, and shredded mozzarella browns on top for a golden finish. With approximately 39 grams of protein per serving, it’s a satisfying choice for families and anyone looking for a quick, filling Italian-inspired meal. The recipe is flexible — swap proteins, cheeses, or pasta to match your pantry and dietary needs.

Skillet Lasagna Ingredients

This skillet lasagna uses cottage cheese as a lighter substitute for ricotta and includes pantry-friendly ingredients that build flavor quickly. Exact measurements are shown in the recipe section below.

• Part-skim cottage cheese: A creamy, higher-protein substitute for ricotta.
• Parmesan and shredded mozzarella: Parmesan for the filling and mozzarella to melt on top.
• Fresh herbs: Parsley and basil for brightness.
• Lean ground beef: 93% lean is recommended for protein without excess fat.
• Kosher salt: For seasoning.
• Olive oil: To sauté the aromatics and brown the meat.
• Aromatics: Yellow onion and garlic for a savory base.
• Crushed tomatoes and bone broth: Canned crushed tomatoes and chicken bone broth create a flavorful cooking liquid; the broth adds protein and depth.
• Short pasta: Any short shape works — broken lasagna noodles, mafalda, campanelle, farfalle or bow-tie. Use gluten-free pasta if needed.

How to Make Skillet Lasagna

This method skips traditional layering and long bakes. The pasta cooks directly in the sauce in one skillet, then finishes under the broiler for a bubbly, browned top. Scroll to the recipe section for a printable ingredient list and timing.

1. Prepare the cheese filling: In a small bowl, mix cottage cheese, grated Parmesan and chopped parsley until blended.
2. Brown the beef: Heat a large 12-inch oven-safe nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the ground beef and kosher salt, breaking it up and cooking until no longer pink, about 4–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
3. Sauté aromatics: Add olive oil, diced onion and chopped garlic to the pan and cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes.
4. Simmer the sauce and pasta: Stir in crushed tomatoes, bone broth and chopped basil. Bring the mixture to a simmer, add the pasta, and press gently so the noodles are submerged. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is just tender and the sauce has thickened, about 18–20 minutes.
5. Add cheeses and broil: Remove the skillet from heat and spoon the cottage cheese mixture over the pasta in small dollops. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly on top. Place the skillet under a preheated broiler on the second rack from the top and broil until the cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 2–4 minutes. Garnish with extra parsley and serve hot.

Variations

• Cheese swap: Use ricotta in place of cottage cheese and try Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
• Different meat: Substitute 93% lean ground turkey for a lighter option.
• Vegetarian: Omit the meat and sauté mushrooms, eggplant or zucchini instead.
• Broth choices: Regular chicken or vegetable broth also work well.
• Tomato swap: Use a jarred marinara sauce in place of canned crushed tomatoes for a faster shortcut.
• Gluten-free: Replace pasta with your preferred gluten-free short pasta.

What to Serve with Skillet Lasagna

This skillet lasagna is hearty on its own but pairs nicely with garlic knots, a crisp green salad or simply roasted vegetables. Try roasted broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a bright Italian-style salad to balance the richness.

Storage

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Freeze portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat: Rewarm in the microwave or oven until heated through; add a splash of broth if the pasta seems dry.

Skillet Lasagna Recipe (Printable)

Yield: 4 servings • Prep: 15 mins • Cook: 33 mins • Total: 48 mins

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup part-skim cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
• 1/2 pound 93% lean ground beef
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 2 1/2 cups chicken bone broth
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 8 ounces short pasta (mafalda, campanelle, farfalle, broken lasagna noodles, or gluten-free)
• 3/4 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan and 2 tablespoons parsley.
2. Heat a 12-inch oven-safe nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the ground beef and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
3. Add olive oil, diced onion and chopped garlic. Sauté until the onion is tender, about 4–5 minutes.
4. Pour in crushed tomatoes, bone broth and basil. Stir and bring to a simmer. Add the pasta, press it into the liquid so noodles are submerged, reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed, 18–20 minutes.
5. Remove from heat. Dollop the cottage cheese mixture over the pasta without stirring, then sprinkle the mozzarella evenly on top. Broil on high on the second rack from the top until the cheese melts and lightly browns, about 2–4 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Nutrition (per serving, approximate)

Calories: 494 • Protein: 39 g • Carbohydrates: 59 g • Fat: 12.5 g • Fiber: 5.5 g • Sodium: 938 mg

More Lasagna Ideas

• Lasagna Soup — a cozy, spoonable twist on classic lasagna.
• Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups — a great make-ahead option with greens and cheese.
• Chicken Parmesan Lasagna — combines chicken Parmesan flavors with layered pasta.
• Spaghetti Squash Sausage Lasagna Boats — a lower-carb, gluten-free style served in squash halves.
• Three-Cheese Zucchini Stuffed Lasagna — a veggie-forward version using zucchini slices.