Skillet Lasagna Recipe

Ground beef: Provides the hearty, meaty base for the lasagna.

Marinara sauce: Adds rich tomato flavor and moisture to the dish.

Ricotta cheese: Offers a creamy texture and mild flavor that complements the other cheeses.

Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully to create a gooey, cheesy topping.

Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor to the lasagna.

Lasagna noodles: Broken into pieces, these provide the classic pasta element of the dish.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the ingredients.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the dish.

When browning the ground beef, make sure to break it into small crumbles using a wooden spoon or spatula. This ensures even cooking and better integration with the marinara sauce. Additionally, to enhance the flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of Italian seasoning to the beef while it cooks. This will give your skillet lasagna an extra depth of flavor.

• ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with crushed tomatoes with Italian seasoning: Crushed tomatoes with Italian seasoning can mimic the flavor of marinara sauce and offer a fresher taste.

• ricotta cheese - Substitute with cottage cheese: Cottage cheese has a similar texture and can be used to achieve a creamy consistency in the lasagna.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone cheese melts well and has a similar mild flavor, making it a good alternative to mozzarella.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino romano cheese: Pecorino romano has a similar hard texture and salty flavor, providing a comparable taste to parmesan.

• lasagna noodles - Substitute with penne pasta: Penne pasta can hold the sauce well and provide a similar hearty texture in the skillet lasagna.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a depth of flavor and umami, though it should be used sparingly due to its strong taste.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and can be used to maintain the peppery flavor without altering the color of the dish.

• Allow the skillet lasagna to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.

• Transfer the lasagna to an airtight container. If you have a large batch, consider dividing it into smaller portions for easier reheating.

• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the lasagna within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place the container in the freezer.

• When freezing, label the container with the date and contents. This helps you keep track of how long it has been stored.

• To reheat refrigerated lasagna, transfer the desired portion to a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.

• For reheating frozen lasagna, it's best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, follow the same microwave instructions as for refrigerated lasagna.

• Alternatively, you can reheat the lasagna in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the lasagna in an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.

• If reheating from frozen in the oven, increase the baking time to 45-50 minutes, ensuring the lasagna is heated evenly throughout.

• For an extra touch, sprinkle a bit more shredded mozzarella or grated parmesan cheese on top before reheating in the oven. This will give the lasagna a fresh, bubbly cheese layer.

• Enjoy your reheated skillet lasagna with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover skillet lasagna in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is bubbly.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place the leftover skillet lasagna in a skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.
  3. Cover the skillet with a lid and heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer a portion of the skillet lasagna to a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap (leave a small vent).
  3. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, then stir.
  4. Continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals until heated through.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover skillet lasagna in an air fryer-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
  4. Heat for 10-15 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it’s warming evenly.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Place the leftover skillet lasagna in a vacuum-sealed bag or a ziplock bag using the water displacement method.
  2. Set your sous vide machine to 165°F (74°C).
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for 30-45 minutes.
  4. Carefully remove from the bag and serve hot.

• Large skillet: A wide, deep pan used for browning the ground beef and cooking the lasagna mixture.

• Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the ground beef and combining it with the marinara sauce and noodles.

• Measuring cups: Essential for measuring out the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese.

• Small bowl: Used to mix the ricotta cheese with salt and pepper.

• Spatula: Handy for dropping spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the lasagna.

• Lid for skillet: Necessary for covering the skillet to allow the noodles to simmer and the cheese to melt.

• Colander: Used to drain excess fat from the browned ground beef.

• Knife: Useful for breaking the lasagna noodles into pieces.

• Cutting board: A safe surface for breaking the lasagna noodles.

• Serving spoon: Ideal for serving the finished skillet lasagna hot.

Pre-cook the beef: Brown the ground beef in advance and store it in the fridge. This way, you can skip the first step when you're ready to cook.

Use no-boil noodles: Substitute regular lasagna noodles with no-boil noodles to save time on cooking.

Pre-shred cheese: Buy pre-shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese to cut down on prep time.

Batch cook sauce: Make a large batch of marinara sauce and freeze it in portions. Just thaw and use when needed.

One-pan method: Use a large skillet to cook everything in one pan, reducing cleanup time.