This one-pan Skillet Lasagna is the perfect shortcut to a hearty, comforting Italian dinner. With all the flavors of traditional lasagna—savory ground beef, melty cheese, and rich tomato sauce—it’s ready in under an hour and packs a high-protein punch with cottage cheese and bone broth. Ideal for busy weeknights or anyone looking for fewer dishes without sacrificing flavor.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• Filling:

  • 3/4 cup part-skim cottage cheese

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley (plus more for garnish)

• Main:

  • 1/2 lb 93% lean ground beef

  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt

  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped

  • 2 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes (e.g., Tuttorosso)

  • 2 1/2 cups chicken bone broth

  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

  • 8 oz pasta (e.g., Mafalda, Campanelle, bow-tie, broken lasagna noodles, or gluten-free pasta)

  • 3/4 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Prepare the Cheese Filling:
   In a small bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons of parsley. Set aside.

2. Brown the Beef:
   Heat a large 12-inch oven-safe nonstick skillet over high heat. Add ground beef and salt, cooking until browned (about 5 minutes), breaking it up as it cooks.

3. Sauté the Aromatics:
   Add olive oil, onion, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until soft, about 4–5 minutes.

4. Cook the Pasta:
   Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken bone broth, and basil. Bring to a simmer. Add pasta and mix evenly. Ensure noodles are submerged. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer 18–20 minutes until pasta is just tender and the liquid is absorbed.

5. Assemble and Broil:
   Remove from heat. Spoon the cheese mixture over the pasta without stirring. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Broil on high for about 3 minutes until the cheese melts and browns slightly. Garnish with extra parsley.

Nutrients (per serving — 1½ cups)

• Calories: 494 kcal

• Protein: 39g

• Carbohydrates: 59g

• Fat: 12.5g

• Saturated Fat: 5g

• Cholesterol: 55.5mg

• Sodium: 938.5mg

• Fiber: 5.5g

• Sugar: 10g

Flavor Without the Fuss

What makes this skillet lasagna especially appealing is how it captures the essence of slow-cooked lasagna without the multi-hour commitment. Instead of layering noodles, sauce, and cheese in a baking dish, all ingredients are cooked together in a single skillet. This results in a beautifully melded flavor profile, where the tomato sauce infuses the pasta and beef with a deep, savory richness, and every bite includes a touch of melty mozzarella and creamy cottage cheese.

Traditional lasagna recipes often require multiple steps, pots, and layers. This recipe trims the fat, quite literally and figuratively, by using lean ground beef and part-skim cheeses without sacrificing taste or texture. The result is a dish that feels indulgent but is surprisingly light and balanced.

Protein-Packed and Balanced

This skillet lasagna isn’t just about ease and taste—it’s also a nutritional powerhouse. With nearly 40 grams of protein per serving, it supports satiety, muscle maintenance, and metabolic health. The combination of lean ground beef and cottage cheese is particularly effective in delivering this high protein count. Cottage cheese, often underrated, adds creaminess and a subtle tang while significantly boosting the nutritional profile of the meal.

Adding chicken bone broth instead of water or traditional broth infuses the dish with added protein and minerals. Bone broth is also known for its gut-healing properties and collagen content, giving this recipe an extra layer of wellness appeal.

Despite the robust protein content, this dish maintains a reasonable calorie count and balanced macronutrient profile. The inclusion of whole or gluten-free pasta options, fresh herbs, and part-skim cheese keeps things light enough for those who are mindful of their dietary intake.

Comfort Food with a Fresh Perspective

Comfort food is often associated with heaviness and indulgence, but this skillet lasagna offers a fresher, more modern take. With vibrant ingredients like parsley and basil, it has a herbaceous brightness that lifts the heavier components of beef and cheese. These fresh elements also reflect the essence of Italian cuisine—simple, high-quality ingredients prepared thoughtfully.

The sauce, built from crushed tomatoes and aromatic garlic and onion, simmers with the noodles, creating a harmony of textures and flavors. The moisture from the crushed tomatoes and broth is absorbed into the pasta, eliminating the need for pre-cooking the noodles. This not only saves time but also allows the pasta to take on the flavors of the dish more directly, resulting in a cohesive, deeply savory meal.

One Pan, One Purpose

One of the most compelling features of this recipe is its one-pan nature. Using a single, oven-safe skillet, the entire dish moves seamlessly from stovetop to oven. This minimizes mess, maximizes efficiency, and makes cleanup a breeze—an ideal solution for busy home cooks who still want to deliver a home-cooked meal that feels substantial and satisfying.

For those living in small spaces or without access to a full kitchen, this skillet approach is incredibly practical. It’s a great option for students, apartment dwellers, or anyone with limited cookware. Plus, the visual appeal of serving a bubbling skillet straight from the oven to the table adds rustic charm and encourages communal eating.

Customizable for Every Palate

Skillet lasagna is highly adaptable, making it a canvas for creativity. Prefer turkey or plant-based protein instead of beef? Swap it out without sacrificing structure or flavor. Want to sneak in extra veggies? Add spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms into the sautéed onion and garlic mix. Craving more spice? A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of chili oil can transform the flavor profile with minimal effort.

Cheese options are equally flexible. While the recipe uses mozzarella, cottage cheese, and Parmesan, you can try ricotta, provolone, or even vegan cheese alternatives for a different twist. The pasta shape, too, can be customized. Short, curly shapes like mafalda or campanelle hold the sauce well, but even broken lasagna sheets or bow-ties work beautifully.

This versatility also extends to dietary needs. Gluten-free pastas and low-sodium bone broths make this dish accessible to a variety of eaters without compromising flavor or enjoyment.

A Smart Choice for Meal Prep

This skillet lasagna isn’t just for immediate satisfaction—it also makes excellent leftovers. The flavors deepen as it sits, and it reheats beautifully in the microwave or oven. For meal preppers, this recipe can be doubled or tripled and portioned out for multiple lunches or dinners throughout the week. It holds its integrity well, with the cheese remaining creamy and the pasta keeping a nice texture even after refrigeration.

For families with differing tastes or busy schedules, this is a dish that can be made ahead and finished under the broiler just before serving, making it ideal for unpredictable dinner times.

Culinary Confidence in Every Bite

Perhaps one of the most empowering aspects of this skillet lasagna is how it builds confidence in the kitchen. For novice cooks, the idea of making lasagna from scratch can be daunting. This streamlined version removes the intimidation factor while still delivering restaurant-quality flavor. It’s a reminder that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious.

For more experienced home chefs, this recipe offers a solid base for experimentation. The one-pan format keeps everything manageable, while the flavor foundation is strong enough to handle a variety of custom touches.

Conclusion

This one-pan skillet lasagna is more than a quick-fix dinner—it’s a flavorful, protein-rich, and deeply satisfying meal that celebrates the essence of Italian comfort food with a modern twist. By bringing together pantry staples, fresh herbs, and lean proteins in a single skillet, it simplifies the cooking process without compromising on depth or deliciousness.

Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or lazy Sunday evenings, it proves that a hearty, homemade meal can be both convenient and elevated. Whether you’re feeding a family, cooking for one, or impressing guests, this skillet lasagna is a reliable go-to that delivers warmth, nourishment, and joy in every bite.

In a world full of complicated recipes and endless dishes to wash, this dish is a refreshing return to simplicity and satisfaction—an invitation to gather, savor, and enjoy a timeless favorite made easier than ever.