This one skillet lasagna combines Italian sausage, onion, garlic, and lasagna noodles all cooked up in marinara sauce and topped with ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese.
This is a super quick and easy dish that the whole family can enjoy. For a complete meal, serve with a simple garden salad or cheese garlic bread. If you like this recipe, try baked mostaccioli, spinach lasagna, or lasagna soup.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Italian sausage: sweet or mild is preferred
- Seasonings: salt: freshly ground black pepper, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, fresh basil or Italian parsley,
- Marinara sauce: Use your favorite sauce. We love Rao’s or Kirkland’s brand. Or use the marinara sauce portion of this baked meatballs recipe.
- Lasagna noodles: Use regular lasagna noodles. Not the no-boil ones.
- Parmesan cheese: For best results use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It melts so much better and it is well worth every dime.
How to make Skillet Lasagna
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
First, brown the Italian sausage over medium heat in a large oven-proof skillet. When the sausage is about halfway browned add the onion and continue cooking until the sausage is browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease and reduce the heat to low. Add the garlic, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute stirring constantly.
Now add the marinara sauce, 3/4 cup of water, and lasagna noodles. Push the lasagna noodles under the liquid and cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil. Simmer the noodles for about 20 minutes or until tender. Add 1/4 cup additional water at a time if needed to keep the pasta submerged as it cooks.
Mix the ricotta cheese, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and roasted garlic if using. Drop the ricotta cheese mixture onto the noodles. Then top with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Place the skillet in the oven and bake uncovered until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with chopped fresh Italian parsley and if desired a little red pepper flakes.
Preparation Tips
- You don’t have to use an ovenproof skillet but it does speed things up when it comes to melting the cheese. You can do it on the stovetop as well. Simply add the cheese, cover with foil, and turn the heat to really low so you don’t burn the pasta at the bottom of the pan.
- Add 1/4 cup additional water when necessary to thin the dish as the noodles simmer. The noodles should stay submerged. Marinara can range in thickness so it may be necessary to add more water.
- Roasted garlic is very easy to prepare and it adds great flavor to any pasta dish especially ones with ricotta cheese.
Roast the Garlic for More Flavor
Pull away any excess layers of paper-like skin from the garlic bulbs and discard them. Using a sharp knife cut off the tips on the non-root end of the bulb. Arrange your cut bulbs in a muffin tin cut side up and drizzle with olive oil. You can also wrap in an individual bulb in an aluminum foil tent. Roast garlic at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and soft.
Store and Freeze
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at a reduced power to ensure that it heats all the way through.
Freeze leftovers in a sturdy freezer container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
More Pasta Recipes
Skillet Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning divided
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- ¾ -1 ¼ cups water
- 10 lasagna noodles broken
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
- Roasted garlic optional
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh Italian parsley or basil
- Red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Brown the Italian sausage over medium heat in a large oven proof skillet. When the sausage is about halfway browned add the onions and continue cooking until the sausage is browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the garlic, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute stirring constantly.
- Add the marinara sauce, 3/4 cup of water, and lasagna noodles. Push the lasagna noodles under the liquid and cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil. Simmer the noodles for about 18-20 minutes or until tender. Add 1/4 cup additional water at a time if needed.
- Mix the ricotta cheese, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and if using roasted garlic. Drop the ricotta cheese mixture by rounded spoonfuls on to the noodles. Top with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Place the skillet in the oven and bake at 400 degrees uncovered for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with chopped fresh Italian parsley and if desired a little red pepper flakes.
Notes
- You don’t have to use an ovenproof skillet but it does speed things up when it comes to melting the cheese. You can do it on the stovetop as well. Simply add the cheese, cover with foil, and turn the heat to really low so you don’t burn the pasta at the bottom of the pan.
- Add 1/4 cup additional water when necessary to thin the dish as the noodles simmer. The noodles should stay submerged. Marinara can range in thickness so it may be necessary to add more water.
- Roasted garlic is very easy to prepare and it adds great flavor to any pasta dish especially ones with ricotta cheese.
Nutrition
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Laurie H
This lasagna was the perfect comfort meal! I loved how everything is cooked together in one pan. The flavor was terrific and it was easy to make.
Natalie
This is a much quicker way to make a lasagna. What a great idea. It was delicious and everyone in the family agreed that it was a keeper.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Natalie! I am glad that they liked it!
Nick
This skillet lasagna was the perfect comfort meal. It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor! Definitely adding this to my weeknight dinner rotation.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Nick! So glad that you liked it!
Marie
I love making pasta so much. This skillet lasagna was so good and so easy! The family voted it into our regular rotation.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Marie! I am glad that you enjoyed it.
Jaishree
This was absolutely delicious and easy to make! I love how it simplifies the traditional lasagna recipe without compromising on flavor. My husband and son loved it so much they want me to make it again.
Michelle Murray
We love this lasagna here. All the delicious flavors of the layered masterpiece withhout the added time and fuss. This makes one of favorite dishes manageable.
Kathleen
What a quick, simple and fabulous way to enjoy lasagna. Really like that this recipe calls for ground sausage and not beef. Can’t wait to make this for my family.
Janessa
OMG this skillet lasagna is so good! All of the flavours I love but way less work.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Janessa! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Tayler Ross
We had this lasagna for dinner last night and it was wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Tayler! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Catalina
My family goes crazy over this lasagna. This recipe is our new favorite!
Mirlene
Lasagna is one of our favorites to have. Making this all in one skillet is easy peasy!
Kate
What a great idea, I can’t believe how quick and easy it is to make lasagna all in the one skillet. Totally delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Kate! So glad that you liked it!
Erin
Such a satisfying dish! My family loved this!
Juliane
Thank you for this Lasagna recipe! Love this a lot!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Juliane! So glad that you like it!
Erik
Really been craving lasagna lately, so it’s like a sign that I found this! Such a wonderful meal.
Beth
This looks amazing! I’ve made lasagna all kinds of ways, but I’ve never made it in a skillet.