Cast Iron Skillet Lasagna

One of the great things about this lasagna dish is that it’s an excellent option for those who love the classic lasagna flavors but need more time to make it the traditional way.

It’s a hearty and flavorful dish that covers all the comfort food bases. It has a rich sauce packed with protein and a good serving of carbs. It’s a great dish to serve on a busy weeknight when you have little time but big appetites to satisfy. It’s hearty, flavorful, and easy, as it comes together in 35 minutes in one pan!

If you want more of a traditional lasagna recipe to cook for a crowd, try this decadent Lasagna al Forno!

Serve this comfort food with Caesar salad and garlic bread for a complete meal the entire family will love.

⭐️ NEED HELP MEAL PLANNING?? ⭐️

• One-pan meal: This cast iron lasagna recipe is a great way to serve a delicious meal on busy nights. Everything conveniently comes together in one large cast-iron pan, which means less cleanup and fewer dishes to wash.

• Quick and easy: Love lasagna but not the tedious process? This easy recipe is for you! It’s an excellent alternative to traditional lasagna, as there is no need to layer any ingredients. It has all the lasagna flavors but with less work.

• Meal the whole family will love: This delicious lasagna recipe is highly customizable, so you can make your own by adding your favorite ingredients and adjusting seasonings to taste. That means you can tailor this recipe to suit the personal preference of your family and friends. Have a favorite spaghetti sauce? Use that! Don’t care for ricotta cheese? Skip it!

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Easy Skillet Lasagna Recipe:

Pasta: Provides the main starch, adding a satisfying texture to the dish. Traditional lasagna calls for lasagna sheets, but go with your favorite short pasta in this easy version. I like using bow-tie pasta, but penne will work.

Ground beef: Adds protein and flavor to the skillet lasagna and is the main ingredient in the meat sauce.

Marinara sauce: This tomato-based sauce coats the pasta and gives the dish its signature flavor. No marinara sauce? No problem; you can often use marinara and spaghetti sauce interchangeably.

Cheeses: Adds richness and creaminess to the dish. Combining mozzarella, ricotta, and sour cream adds richness and creaminess to this delicious skillet lasagna.

Seasonings: Italian seasoning will help enhance the dish’s overall flavor, and we’ll dial it up with some garlic powder.

Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with exact ingredients will be in the recipe card below!

Step 1: Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions. Drain and drizzle with olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking.

Step 2: While pasta is cooking, in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, brown beef. Cook meat until no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Next, add diced onion and cook until softened and translucent.

Step 3: Add sour cream, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.

Mix until the cheese mixture is well incorporated into the red sauce.

Step 4: Next, add pasta and stir until well-coated with the sauce. Finally, top with remaining mozzarella cheese and cook until all ingredients are heated and all cheese melted.

Step 5: Lastly, garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and serve right away.

• Cook pasta al dente. For best flavor, cook pasta “to the tooth” or until it is firm to the bite but not overly soft or mushy.

• Break up the ground beef. You don’t want a brick of ground beef in your skillet. Use a potato masher during the last minute of cooking meat to get the meat fine and broken up well.

• This easy skillet lasagna recipe can be elevated by using the best pasta sauce. A good quality sauce will enhance the flavor of the overall dish.

• Adjust seasonings to taste. We’re using a blend of Italian seasonings and a bit more garlic powder to keep things simple. But your skillet lasagna may need more depending on the flavor and richness of the marinara sauce. Adjust as needed.

⭐️ CONFIDENCE TIP ⭐️

• Storage: Leftover cast iron skillet lasagna can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

• Reheating: To reheat, warm it in the microwave until heated through. Alternatively, you can warm it in an oven set to 400°F for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. This is incredibly convenient when you are reheating an entire dish.

• Freezing: Freeze skillet lasagna in an airtight, freezer-safe container for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and then follow reheating instructions.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Yes, you can prepare this lasagna dish beforehand, but you need to reheat it in the oven. Make it on the stovetop, transfer it to a casserole dish, cover it with foil, and refrigerate it for 3-4 days. When ready to serve, bake in a preheated 400°F for 15 minutes or until warmed through.

The best type of pan for this dish is a large skillet with tall sides to prevent the lasagna from spilling during stirring. A 12-inch cast-iron skillet is ideal as this material retains and distributes heat well.

After cooking time, let the skillet cool completely before cleaning. You can use hot water and a stiff brush to scrub away any food residue, especially the stuck-on cheese, but avoid using soap as it can damage the seasoning on the skillet. Dry the skillet completely and rub it with a thin layer of oil to prevent rusting.

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TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE

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Cast Iron Skillet: Love this one–it’s affordable, too!

Potato Masher: To get the meat broken up nice and fine!

Pasta Strainer

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