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Easy Cheesy Skillet Lasagna

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A quick and easy one-pot cheesy skillet lasagna perfect for busy weeknights, combining tender no-boil noodles, hearty tomato sauce, and a creamy cheese blend.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (San Marzano recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces no-boil lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (small curd)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional, handful, chopped)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in your skillet over medium heat (about 3-4 minutes) until shimmering but not smoking.
  2. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent and soft, about 4-5 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid browning.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Don’t let it burn!
  4. Add ground beef to the pan, breaking it apart with your spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Mix in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine everything.
  6. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then add broken lasagna noodles, pressing them gently into the sauce so they’re mostly covered.
  7. Pour in 2 cups (480ml) water or broth for extra flavor. Stir carefully once to avoid breaking noodles.
  8. Cover the skillet with a lid and let everything simmer gently on medium-low heat for 15-18 minutes. Stir every 6 minutes to prevent noodles from sticking and check liquid levels. The noodles should be tender but not mushy.
  9. Remove the lid and dollop cottage cheese evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan on top.
  10. Cover again and cook for another 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  11. Turn off heat and let the skillet sit covered for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the lasagna set a bit and makes serving easier.
  12. Garnish with fresh basil if you like, and dig in!

Notes

If sauce is too thick before adding noodles, add a splash more water. If too thin, simmer uncovered a few minutes before adding noodles. Stir gently every 6 minutes to avoid breaking noodles. Use no-boil noodles for best results. Leftovers taste better the next day. Freeze before adding cheese topping for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: skillet lasagna, one-pot dinner, easy lasagna, cheesy lasagna, quick dinner, no-boil noodles, comfort food

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/easy-cheesy-skillet-lasagna-recipe-perfect-one-pot-dinner-idea/