Description
Hearty Skillet Lasagna brings Italian comfort directly to your kitchen with layered pasta, rich marinara, and melted cheese in one spectacular pan. Quick and satisfying, this one-pot wonder delivers classic flavor without complicated preparation, ensuring you enjoy a restaurant-quality meal in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 8 ounces (226 grams) medium pasta (rotini, penne, or similar)
- 14 ounces (397 grams) canned diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 2 cups pasta sauce
Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon fresh basil, thinly sliced (optional garnish)
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté ground beef with onions and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the meat is completely browned and no pink remains.
- Remove excess grease from the meat mixture to ensure a lighter, less oily dish.
- Simultaneously, prepare pasta in salted water, cooking until it reaches al dente texture, then drain without rinsing to maintain optimal pasta consistency.
- Introduce diced green bell peppers to the meat mixture, cooking for 3-4 minutes until vegetables become tender and slightly softened.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, pasta sauce, and Italian seasoning, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken for approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate cooked pasta into the skillet, gently mixing and letting it heat through for 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Create a creamy cheese blend by combining ricotta and Parmesan in a separate bowl, ensuring smooth integration.
- Distribute ricotta mixture in gentle dollops across the pasta surface, strategically placing mozzarella cheese around the ricotta.
- Cover the skillet and cook briefly until cheese melts completely, creating a luxurious, gooey top layer.
- Garnish with fresh basil and parsley for an aromatic finish.
- Serve immediately while hot, presenting a rustic and comforting one-pan meal.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the excess fat from the ground beef to reduce greasiness and create a lighter dish.
- Cooking pasta al dente prevents it from becoming mushy when mixed with the sauce in the skillet.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a more intense and authentic flavor compared to pre-grated options.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg