Easy Skillet Lasagna with Ricotta and Spinach

Easy Skillet Lasagna is effortless to make, but packed full of flavor with Italian sausage, spinach, creamy ricotta, and gooey cheese. This simple, one pot dinner only takes 30 minutes to serve!

Easy Peasy Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna recipe maintains the rich, delicious flavor of traditional lasagna, but leaves out any extra work.

Substituting a jar of quality marinara saves you steps, but doesn’t sacrifice taste. In addition, using sweet Italian sausage links instead of ground beef adds even more seasoning.

Those classic Italian flavors of fennel, oregano, and basil meld perfectly with creamy ricotta, freshly grated parmesan, and gooey mozzarella on top.

Need a traditional recipe for company or the holidays? Try the best gluten-free lasagna recipe, which is a hit with everyone! Or for an equally delish weeknight one-pot dinner idea, try this sheet pan gnocchi with sausage and broccoli.

Ingredient Tid Bits

Make homemade lasagna in minutes using this one pan, easy skillet version. Not only is this a quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe, but it’s also a perfect way to use up those broken lasagna noodles!

• Sweet Italian sausage or swap out ground beef
• Marinara – jarred or homemade
• Lasagna noodles – regular or gluten free
• Parmesan cheese – Use freshly grated parmesan to melt into the sauce.
• Fresh spinach – If your family isn’t a fan of spinach, this may be eliminated. Alternatively, use thawed, well drained, frozen chopped spinach in its place.
• Ricotta cheese – Mixes into the sauce to give it a creamy, smooth taste.
• Grated mozzarella – An essential topping for the best ooey, gooey lasagna!

How to Make Easy Skillet Lasagna 

1. Brown Italian sausage in an ovenproof or cast iron skillet.
2. Add marinara and water. Bring to a boil, then add broken lasagna noodles. Cover and cook until noodles are tender.
3. Remove lid and add fresh spinach to wilt.
4. Stir in ricotta and parmesan cheese to make the sauce nice and creamy. Top with mozzarella cheese and serve.

Making It Vegetarian

Trade the Italian sausage for chopped vegetables to make vegetarian skillet lasagna! I recommend a combination of mushrooms, onions, and peppers, but feel free to use any preferred vegetables.

1. Instead of using Italian sausage, substitute 2-3 cups of chopped veggies, such as mushrooms, onions, or peppers. Sauté in a splash of olive oil until tender, then season with salt and pepper.
2. Add the marinara and water and bring to a boil. Add noodles, cover, and lower heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, or until noodles are al dente.
3. Increase spinach to 6 cups and finish the recipe as written with ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella.

Using Gluten-Free Noodles

Check the package for cooking times. Gluten-free noodles also have a tendency to stick together more, so occasionally stir the sauce, breaking up noodle chunks. Since gluten free lasagna noodles tend to get mushy fast, cook them to just al dente. Check out my 30-minute gluten-free lasagna soup recipe for recommendations on brands and more tips!

Serving ideas

Finding an easy side to go with skillet lasagna can be tricky since it’s such a filling dish. Therefore, I wrote a complete guide for what to serve with lasagna, with recipes, tips for serving, and the best side dishes.

Did you make this recipe? I love hearing from you! Leave a star rating and comment below the recipe card. It helps others when searching for recipes and I appreciate feedback from our community. You will always hear back from me! -Melissa