Skillet Lasagna

5 from 1 vote

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Our skillet lasagna is ready to eat in just over an hour and is the perfect solution to add a new twist to an old favorite, by using ingredients you probably already have on hand.

A skillet full of lasagna with a glass of red wine
Transform your skillet into a lasagna pan.

Skillet Lasagna

I love my kitchen pots and pans almost like a parent loves their children.

Much to the bewilderment of my husband and kids, I’ve even named several of my favorites.

If I had to choose a favorite among them, though, the granddaddy of them all would probably be my cast iron skillet.

Scoop of lasagna from a cast iron skillet.
There’s virtually no kitchen task that my cast iron skillet is unable to conquer.

I use it for baking breakfast skillets,   skillet potpies, and even skillet dessert recipes.

Today, I’m showing you how I make skillet lasagna.

Skillet of lasagna with cheese and bread.
Use what you have on hand for this skillet lasagna.

My cast iron skillet isn’t the only thing that puts this easy lasagna recipe ahead of other recipes.

It’s also the ordinary ingredients we use to make this simple comfort food meal.

Plate of skillet lasagna with galss of ice water.

For this cast iron lasagna, we use shell pasta instead of traditional lasagna noodles and Italian turkey sausage instead of pork sausage or beef.

turkey Italian sausage in a skillet.
Use Italian turkey sausage for a healthier skillet lasagna.

I’m hoping I’ve caught your attention at this point and so let’s get started in making this easy lasagna.

Adding chopped garlet to a skillet of sausge and onion.
Fresh minced garlic and onion are added to the skillet of browned sausage.

How to Make this Skillet Lasagna Recipe

Like many traditional forms of the recipe, this cast iron lasagna starts with browning some sausage, along with the usual aromatics like onion and fresh garlic.

We make this version with Italian turkey sausage for a little less fat and without sacrificing any flavor.

Tomoato sauce being added to a skillet of browned sausage.
Use your favorite tomato sauce when making this cast iron lasagna.

Next, we add some tomato sauce. Use your favorite marinara or try our awesome Slow Cooked Tomato Sauce with Roasted Sweet Peppers.

It’s seriously the best tomato sauce ever!

Red wine being added to lasagana sauce.
A little red wine will add a lot of flavor to this lasagna sauce.

A little tomato paste is added to this easy lasagna sauce, with some Italian seasoning and a little bit of red wine.

Now that all the sauce ingredients are cooking in the skillet, it’s a good time to put a pot of boiling water on the stove and cook a box of medium-size pasta shells.

Cook them for a minute or two less than directed on the box.

You want the shells to be al dente (to the tooth) because they will continue to cook while when the skillet goes in the hot oven.

Shell pasta in a skillet with bowl of lasagna ingredients.
Use pasta shells for this skillet lasagna.

What’s the Best Wine for Spaghetti Sauce or Lasagna Sauce?

A good rule of thumb is to use a red wine that you enjoy.

If you’re not a wine drinker, don’t go for the cheapest red wine you can find, or your lasagna will reflect the wine’s quality.

You should be able to find a decent, full body red wine for $10 to $15. Thus you don’t have to go with high-end wine either.

Spinach being added to a bowl of ricotta cheese.
Use a thawed and drained boxy of chop frozen spinach to add to the ricotta cheese.

Like many lasagna recipes, we use a mixture of egg, ricotta cheese, and spinach for this skillet lasagna.

Remember, this skillet lasagna recipe is all about convenience.

Use some chopped frozen spinach to add to the ricotta cheese, making sure you squeeze as much water as you can out of the spinach before adding it.

Bowl of ricotta cheese and chopped spinach.
For added flavor, you can add some grated Parmesan cheese to this spinach and ricotta mixture.

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try something new, try our easy recipe for homemade ricotta cheese!

Feel free to explore your tastes with adding a handful of grated hard Italian cheese, like Parmesan or my favorite, Romano.

Spreading tomato sauce in the bottome of a skillet.
It’s time to start building your cast iron lasagna!

Assemble the Skillet Lasagna

Now that the sauce is made, the pasta is cooked and drained, and the cheese mixture is put together, it’s time to build this skillet lasagna.

Start by transferring the sausage and sauce to another bowl.

Then, spread a small layer of the sauce in the bottom of the skillet.

spreadking cheese and spinach on top of cooked pasta in skillet.
Spread the drained pasta shells on top of the thin layer of sauce, then add the cheese and spinach layer.

The layers of this skillet lasagna are just like a traditional pan lasagna, except we only use one layer of each part.

Sauce Base -> Pasta Shells -> Ricotta Cheese/Spinach -> Sauce Topping

Skillet of pasta covered with ricotta cheese and spinach.
Spread the cheese and spinach layer evenly over the cooked shells.

As you build the layers of this skillet lasagna recipe, feel free to sprinkle on a little extra Parmesan cheese, or whatever cheese that you prefer.

Spreading lasagna sauce on cheese and spinach layer.
Don’t let the size of this skillet lasagna fool you! It will feed a crowd.

Now it’s time to return the sausage and sauce mixture to the skillet, spread it evenly over the layer of spinach and ricotta.

Adding Parmesan cheese on top of skillet lasagna.
Finally, crown this cast iron lasagna with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

The last stop of putting this skillet lasagna together is to top it with some Mozzarella cheese.

You’re going to bake this for one hour at 350°.

Once it comes out of the oven, give it another sprinkling of Mozzarella or Parmesan cheese on top, and some chopped fresh basil leaves.

Allow this baby to set for 10 to 15 minutes before serving, if humanly possible.

A skillet with lasagna in it
Once your skillet lasagna comes out of the oven, allow it to rest for a few minutes.

What to serve with this Skillet Lasagna

This cast  iron skillet lasagna is a meal all by itself.

If you want to add to the spread, our crusty homemade bread and a green salad will take you all the way!

plate of skillet lasagna with bread.
A green salad and crusty homemade bread are the perfect compliments to this skillet lasagna.

Leftover Skillet Lasagna

Like most tomato sauce-based recipes, this skillet lasagna recipe tastes even better a day or two later.

You can even freeze it and make a delicious leftover meal out of it for a future date.

How to Freeze Lasagna

  • Allow it to cool completely.
  • Cut individual portions.
  • Use a plastic kitchen wrap and chef wrap it. (Wrap twice, being sure to get out any air pockets  – this give optimal preservation!)
    • I  love this
kitchen wrap

, which Costco sells. It has a slider to cut the plastic and makes it super easy to cut without having any excess wrap stick to itself and make a big tangled wad of plastic wrap that ends up going in the garbage.

  • Use a label to mark the date and then put in your freezer.
  • When ready to eat, allow it to thaw in the fridge, or defrost in the microwave.
  • Reheat in oven or microwave and top with some fresh, warm marinara sauce!
  • Serving of skillet lasagna with ice water and bread.
    Skillet Lasagna from Platter Talk

    Be sure and try our slow cooker tomato sauce for this skillet lasagna recipe!

    Skillet Lasagna

    5 from 1 vote
    This skillet lasagna recipe is a fast and delicious meal that only takes an hour to bake. As a bonus,  you can freeze the leftovers and enjoy this iron skillet lasagna down again and again!
    Prep: 15 minutes
    Cook: 1 hour
    Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Yield: 8 servings

    Ingredients 

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 lb. turkey Italian sausage links, cut into 1″ pieces
    • 12 oz. medium size shells
    • 2 15 oz. cans tomato sauce
    • 1 6 oz can tomato paste
    • 1 small onion diced
    • 2 garlic cloves diced
    • 1/4 cup or so of red wine
    • 8 oz. 1 cup ricotta cheese
    • 1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
    • Italian seasoning

    Instructions 

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Using large oven safe skillet, heat oil over high flame.
    • Brown sausage, reduce heat and add onion and garlic, saute till soft and translucent.
    • Add tomato sauce and paste along with wine and seasoning to pan of sausage and stir well while simmering.
    • Meanwhile, prepare pasta in boiling water, as directed on package.
    • While pasta is boiling, combine ricotta cheese, spinach, and egg in small mixing bowl. Mix together thoroughly.
    • Transfer sausage and sauce to large bowl, reserving skillet.
    • Remove pasta from heat when done, and drain thoroughly.
    • Take about a half cup of sauce and coat bottom of skillet.
    • Place drained pasta shells in skillet and distribute evenly.
    • Spread ricotta mixture over shells, using the back of a wooden spoon to spread evenly.
    • Pour sausage and sauce mixture on top of ricotta, spread evenly.
    • Sprinkle mozzarella over sauce.
    • Bake for 1 hours.
    • Remove from oven and allow to set for 15 minutes prior to serving.

    Notes

    Garnish with Italian parsley, if desired.
    Serve with additional (warm) sauce after baking, if desired.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 418kcal, Carbohydrates: 43g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 76mg, Sodium: 1160mg, Potassium: 714mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 970IU, Vitamin C: 26.9mg, Calcium: 170mg, Iron: 7.7mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Additional Info

    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Italian
    Tried this recipe?Mention @plattertalk or tag #plattertalk!
     



    Meet the Platter Talk Guys

    Dan & Scott split their time between Wisconsin and Southwest Florida and are dads to six boys. Good food runs through their veins, and they love showing others how to cook easy recipes.

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    17 Comments

    1. This sounds delicious-perfect for hungry families! And I don’t know about you, but I always feel like I’ve really accomplished something when I create a fabulous meal out of scavenged pantry items!

    2. This looks delish. Love the idea of making lasagna in a skillet and using shells. Plus this one has hidden veggies, so major yum and nutritional boost!

    3. Necessity is the mother of invention, as they say! This skillet lasagna like so good and so impressive as a spur-of-the-moment recipe!