3 Cheese Lasagna Skillet Recipe with Beef + Video
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Enjoy gooey Cheese Lasagna in 30 minutes with this skillet lasagna recipe! No more waiting for noodles to boil or painstakingly assembling all of those layers. Skillet cheesy lasagna is loaded with flavor and so much cheese, you’ll be making it again and again.
If you want a simple homemade lasagna recipe, this is the one. Not only is this an easy lasagna recipe, but it’s the best way to make the perfect meal.
Making lasagna is typically a labor of love, and this traditional lasagna recipe is no different.
The savory meat sauce paired with the various kinds of cheeses makes this pure gourmet comfort food.
You’ll see why this is one of my favorite recipes – with minimal prep and cook time.
I think that lasagna is one of the ultimate comfort foods, which is why I love making this great lasagna in a casserole dish.
The only thing that I like to pair with the layers of pasta is a nice side salad and garlic bread. For the best results, follow the simple steps listed on the recipe card below.
Make the original recipe first, and then alter it to fit your taste buds!
Cheese Lasagna
This skillet lasagna recipe goes from prep to plate in just 30 minutes! Now you can enjoy all those classic Italian flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.
If you prefer to go the more traditional route, you can still have dinner on the table in under an hour using this cheesy lasagna recipe with no-boil noodles.
Otherwise, take a look at some of my other one pan meals like this Easy Chicken Pot Pie or Cheesy Chicken Enchilada.
Want more pasta? Combine ravioli and sausage with a delicious tomato sauce, or try this skillet recipe that tastes just like your favorite pizza!
Recipe Video
Be sure to watch the video! Look for it in the recipe card, at the bottom of this post.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Pasta – The fluttery edges of campanelle are pretty to look at, but they also help catch and contain that delicious cheese sauce.
Substitute any short pasta with plenty of nooks and crannies like fusilli, penne, rigatoni, or even medium shells.
Just make note of any differences in cooking time listed on the box. - Ground Beef – Opt for a very lean blend so there isn’t a bunch of grease to drain off. Italian sausage — hot or mild — is a tasty alternative.
You could also use ground chicken or turkey, but you’ll want to increase the amount of spices. - Cheese – You’ll need parmesan, mozzarella, and whole ricotta for this cheesy lasagna recipe!
- Spices – In a pinch, swap the individual dried basil, oregano, and rosemary for your favorite Italian seasoning. Just be sure the total amount is the same.
There’s also some red pepper flakes for heat, plus salt and pepper. If you use hot Italian sausage, you may want to skip the pepper flakes.
How To Make Skillet Lasagna
- Brown the beef with garlic and seasonings.
Go ahead and break up the meat at the beginning if needed, then give it a stir only once or twice so it cooks evenly.
- Stir in the pasta, tomatoes, and water.
Press down on the noodles gently so they are submerged under the liquid. Cover and simmer until the pasta is al dente, meaning it still has some bite to it.
- Add the cheese and broil.
Mix in the Parmesan until melted, then evenly distribute the mozzarella and ricotta across the top.
Place skillet lasagna in the oven uncovered and remove once the cheese is browned and bubbly.
Cheesy Lasagna Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Stir the pasta occasionally. This prevents anything from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Keep it covered. Since there is a limited amount of liquid, adding a lid to the skillet lasagna creates steam inside the pan which helps the noodles soften.
- Want more flavor? Replace the water with vegetable or beef broth instead!
You could also use a combination of water and broth for this cheesy lasagna recipe if you would like. - Add veggies. You can easily toss in some mushrooms, zucchini, or bell pepper strips with the meat.
If you want to add spinach to your skillet cheese lasagna, I recommend adding it with the Parmesan so it doesn’t become too wilted.
Skillet Lasagna Recipe FAQ
It’s not recommended, either for baked or skillet lasagna recipes. Aluminum especially reacts with acidic ingredients like tomato sauce, creating an unpleasant flavor. You will need an oven safe pan for the broiling step, so opt for enameled cast iron or ceramic skillets when making cheese lasagna on the stove.
Typically, yes — when making traditional layered lasagna in the oven. But with our skillet lasagna recipe, the noodles cook right in the pan with the other ingredients! Not only is it easier, but the pasta is actually infused with all the flavors from the meat, tomatoes, and spices.
Storing Leftover Cheesy Lasagna
Once cooled, transfer cheese lasagna from the skillet to a sealed container. You can also portion it out for lunches throughout the week!
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Then, heat cheesy lasagna in the microwave or on the stove until warmed through.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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3 Cheese Lasagna Skillet Recipe with Beef + Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound 93% lean ground beef
- 3 clove garlic, minced or pressed
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 16 ounces Campanelle pasta, or rigatoni or penne
- 25 ounces diced tomatoes, no salt
- 3 cup water
- 4 ounces shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into 5 pieces
- 4 ounces whole ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- In a large oven safe skillet over medium-high heat, warm oil. Add beef, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and rosemary. Stir to combine. Allow meat to brown, stirring occasionally. About 7 minutes.
- Preheat oven to broil.
- Add pasta, tomatoes and water to skillet. Stir until well combined and pasta is submerged. Cover and cook until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally. About 7-8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese. Place a mozzarella slice in the center of the skillet and the 4 remaining evenly around the skillet. Dollop the ricotta in the spaces between the mozzarella. Place skillet in oven until mozzarella cheese is golden brown and bubbly. About 3-5 minutes. CAUTION SKILLET IS HOT!!! Use a pot holder to remove from oven. Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve.
Video
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published September 2012, updated and republished September 2024
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That looks great – I am going to pin this!
Love an easy and beautiful recipe! Very nice again Donna.
I am seeing more and more "skillet" meals out there, need to try this one indeed!
Original, easy, beautiful and delicious,
Thank you 🙂
Does not say how many oz of pasta
Thank you for catching that Candymittens! It is a 16 ounce box. I have updated the recipe.
Happy cooking!
Donna
Glad I checked the comments…the amount of ounces of pasta still not showing in recipe :-/
Jsyk
Going to try out this recipe, looks tasty 😋
Patti, the correct amount of pasta is a 16-ounce box. Hope this helps!
TSRI Team member,
Becca
I love this lasagna recipe, and it doesn’t take long at all! My family looks forward to fridays because of this dish.