Description
This Easy Skillet Lasagna with Italian Sausage combines rich tomato sauce, tender broken lasagna noodles, and creamy cheeses all cooked in one pan for a quick and satisfying meal. Perfect for those craving the comforting flavors of traditional lasagna but short on time, this recipe delivers great taste in half the time with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 28 oz diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- Water as needed to make 4 cups total liquid
Pasta
- 8 lasagna noodles (regular, not no-boil), broken into pieces
Cheeses
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Sauté onion: Heat olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Prepare tomato liquid: While onions cook, pour diced tomatoes with juice into a quart measuring cup. Add water to measure 4 cups total.
- Add garlic and spices: Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to onions and cook for 30 seconds to release aromas.
- Cook sausage: Add ground Italian sausage to skillet. Break it up into small pieces and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add noodles and sauce: Break lasagna noodles into pieces and add over the sausage mixture. Pour diced tomatoes and tomato sauce over the noodles. Sprinkle Italian seasoning on top and mix well. Cover skillet and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer first phase: Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Continue cooking: Check if sauce is drying; add more water if needed. Cook an additional 15 minutes until noodles are tender and easily cut with a fork.
- Add parmesan and season: Remove skillet from heat. Stir in parmesan cheese and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Add ricotta and mozzarella: Dot the surface with ricotta cheese and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Cover and let sit off heat for 5-10 minutes to let cheese melt.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil over top and serve immediately for a comforting, hearty meal.
Notes
- Use regular lasagna noodles, not no-boil, as they cook in the skillet.
- Breaking noodles into smaller pieces speeds cooking and makes serving easier.
- Adjust water amount as needed to keep sauce from drying during simmer.
- For a spicier dish, increase red pepper flakes slightly.
- Can substitute turkey Italian sausage for a leaner option.
- Fresh basil adds bright flavor; feel free to add more as garnish.
- Make sure skillet is large enough (12-inch recommended) to accommodate all ingredients comfortably.
