Name: Easy Skillet Stovetop Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp. olive oil; 1 lb. ground beef; 1/2 lb. bulk sweet Italian sausage; 1 cup yellow onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tsp. Italian seasoning; 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes; 1 24-oz. jar marinara sauce; 1 1/2 cups water; 8 lasagna noodles, uncooked and broken into roughly 2-3-inch pieces; 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese; 1 large egg; 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided; 1 tsp. dried parsley; 1/2 tsp. salt; 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided; 1/4 cup basil leaves, chopped

If you’re like me and love lasagna but dread the hours of prep, multiple pans, and the oven heat especially on a busy weeknight, then this Easy Skillet Stovetop Lasagna Recipe is about to become your new best friend. It captures all the comfort and gooey, cheesy goodness of traditional lasagna, but cooks up quickly right on your stovetop with way less fuss. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll find it’s a total game changer. Keep reading—I’ll share everything you need to nail it perfectly every time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Skillet Convenience: No need to fire up the oven or dirty a dozen dishes—all your ingredients cook right in one skillet.
Speedy Cooking: From start to finish, it’s ready in just about 30 minutes—perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Traditional Flavors, Simplified: You get all the rich, comforting layers of marinara, cheese, and tender noodles without the complicated layering.
Family Favorite: My family absolutely goes crazy for this dish, and I’m betting yours will too!

A white cooking pot filled with several layers of lasagna soup is shown from above, sitting on a round wooden board with a handle. The soup has broken yellow lasagna noodles floating on top mixed with brown cooked ground meat in a rich red tomato broth. The noodles have wavy edges and uneven shapes, some partially submerged in the liquid. To the top left, there is a small white bowl filled with fresh green basil leaves on a white marbled surface. A gray and white textured cloth is seen to the upper right side. The scene is bright and clear with natural light. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Easy Skillet Stovetop Lasagna Recipe, the ingredients come together beautifully to create that classic lasagna taste, but with less hassle. Let’s break down why each one works so well and how to pick the best options at the store.

Olive oil: Use extra virgin for the best flavor and to sauté your meat and onions.
Ground beef: I prefer lean or 80/20 blend so it’s flavorful but not too greasy.
Bulk sweet Italian sausage: Adds that perfect herby, mildly spicy kick—feel free to use mild or spicy depending on your preference.
Yellow onion: Provides sweetness and depth; chopping it finely helps it cook evenly.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic punches up the flavor – avoid pre-minced jars for best aroma.
Italian seasoning: A blend of oregano, basil, and thyme adds that signature Italian flair.
Red pepper flakes: Just a pinch gives a gentle heat that wakes up the sauce.
Marinara sauce: Choose a high-quality jarred sauce or homemade if you have it—for richness and to cut prepping time.
Water: Helps the dry noodles cook right in the sauce without drying out.
Lasagna noodles: I break them into 2-3 inch pieces, so they cook and layer more easily.
Whole milk ricotta cheese: Creamy and mild, it blends perfectly with egg and seasonings for the cheese layer.
Egg: Binds the ricotta mixture so it holds together nicely when cooked.
Parmesan cheese: I divide it, some mixed in the ricotta and some sprinkled on top – this adds that sharp umami punch.
Dried parsley: A subtle herbaceous touch inside the cheese mixture.
Salt & black pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and enhance every ingredient’s flavor.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Divided for gooey melty layers inside and a bubbly, golden top crust.
Basil leaves: Fresh chopped basil added at the end brightens up the whole dish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

What I love about this Easy Skillet Stovetop Lasagna Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to swap out meats or make it vegetarian, there’s a way to make it your own without losing that comforting lasagna vibe.

Meat Variations: I’ve swapped the ground beef and Italian sausage for turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner option that my family enjoyed just as much.
Vegetarian: Try replacing the meat with chopped mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach sautéed beforehand for a veggie-packed version.
Spicy Twist: Add a splash of hot sauce or increase the red pepper flakes if you want an extra kick.
Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free ricotta and mozzarella alternatives, which work surprisingly well here, and skip the Parmesan or substitute with nutritional yeast.

How to Make Easy Skillet Stovetop Lasagna Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Meats and Sauté Onion

Start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, and chopped onion. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks, stirring frequently until the meat is no longer pink and the onions become translucent. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Then, drain any excess fat carefully—this keeps the dish from getting greasy but retains all the flavor. Return the skillet to the stove and add the minced garlic. Cook for 2 more minutes, stirring so your garlic doesn’t burn and turn bitter.

Step 2: Add Seasonings, Sauce, Water, and Noodles

Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, and give everything a good stir. Pour in the marinara sauce and water next. This water is a trick I discovered—it helps the lasagna noodles cook right in the skillet without needing to pre-boil them, which saves so much time. Then, break your lasagna noodles into roughly 2-3 inch pieces and stir them into the sauce mixture. Bring the skillet to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and let it cook gently for 15 minutes. Peek occasionally to make sure noodles are softening but not sticking.

Step 3: Mix and Dollop the Ricotta Cheese Layer

While the noodles cook, in a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, half the Parmesan, dried parsley, salt, pepper, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Once the noodles have softened, dollop this creamy ricotta mixture evenly over the top of the noodles right in the skillet. Cover again and cook for an additional 5 minutes—this allows the cheese to warm through and set slightly.

Step 4: Finish with Cheese and Fresh Basil

Remove the lid, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese all over the top, and then scatter chopped fresh basil leaves. The fresh basil is my favorite touch—it adds that fresh, bright note that really wakes up the rich flavors. Serve the skillet lasagna hot straight from the pan to your plates—it’s a comforting, cheesy melt-in-your-mouth meal that’s irresistibly satisfying.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Skillet Stovetop Lasagna Recipe

Don’t Skip Draining the Meat: Removing excess fat after browning keeps your sauce from becoming oily but keeps a nice richness.
Use Fresh Herbs When Possible: Fresh basil at the end makes a big flavor difference—it’s worth chopping some fresh leaves rather than using only dried.
Cover Tightly During Simmering: This traps steam and cooks the noodles evenly without drying out the sauce.
Don’t Rush the Noodles: If after 15 minutes the noodles aren’t tender, give it a few more minutes but keep an eye so it doesn’t stick or get mushy.

How to Serve Easy Skillet Stovetop Lasagna Recipe

The image shows a white pan filled with cooked lasagna layers standing in tomato sauce and ground meat filling. On top, there are four large dollops of white creamy cheese and some shredded cheese sprinkled over, with green chopped herbs spread on the cheese, adding color contrast. A wooden spoon rests inside the pan on the left side, touching one lasagna piece partly submerged in the sauce. The pan sits on a round dark brown wooden board, all set on a white marbled surface. Nearby, there is a small white plate with fresh chopped herbs and a piece of textured cloth beside it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple and fresh with just a sprinkle of extra chopped fresh basil and maybe a little grated Parmesan right at the table. Sometimes I add a drizzle of good olive oil or a few cracked black peppercorns on top for an elegant touch. The bright basil contrasts beautifully with the rich cheese and meat sauce.

Side Dishes

For sides, my go-to is a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette—it cuts through the richness nicely. Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread is another fantastic pairing to sop up any extra sauce. Steamed or roasted veggies, like broccoli or green beans, add a nice balance as well.

Creative Ways to Present

On special occasions, I’ve served this skillet lasagna family-style directly from the pan in the center of the table and added a generous sprinkle of toasted pine nuts and fresh basil on top for extra texture and freshness. It makes a comforting, rustic centerpiece that always gets compliments.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover skillet lasagna stores beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually let it cool completely before refrigerating, and it reheats well without losing that creamy texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen portions for busy days by placing cooled leftovers in freezer-safe containers. To avoid freezer burn, wrap the container tightly with plastic wrap before sealing. It keeps well up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, pop leftovers in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel, or heat gently on the stove in a skillet with a splash of water or sauce to keep it moist. This way, your Easy Skillet Stovetop Lasagna Recipe stays just as delicious as when freshly made.

FAQs

Can I use regular lasagna noodles instead of breaking them?

Breaking the noodles makes it easier to cook evenly in the skillet since you’re not layering like a traditional lasagna. Whole noodles can be tricky to fit and cook through properly without layering, but if you prefer, you can try folding them carefully, just expect longer cook times and possibly more stirring.
Is this recipe freezer friendly?

Absolutely! This Easy Skillet Stovetop Lasagna Recipe freezes really well. Just cool completely, transfer portions to freezer containers, and thaw overnight before reheating gently. Freezing makes it a wonderful meal prep option!
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Definitely! Swap the ground beef and Italian sausage for sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or a plant-based meat substitute, and maintain the layering and cooking steps. Adding extra herbs and seasoning helps keep the flavor rich.
Do I need to pre-cook the noodles?

Nope! One of the best parts of the skillet method is that the broken noodles cook right in the sauce and water mixture. Just be sure to simmer covered so they soften fully and absorb flavors without drying out.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Easy Skillet Stovetop Lasagna Recipe captures the charm and comfort of classic lasagna but in a way that fits perfectly into busy weeknights. No fuss, no oven, and minimal cleanup—just layers of hearty, cheesy, saucy goodness all cooked in one pan. It’s the kind of recipe that’s quick enough to throw together after work but still feels like a real treat for you and your family. I’m so excited for you to try it and hopefully it becomes your go-to lasagna hack too!