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!

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!
Ingredients Needed
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
- 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
- Brown Italian sausage in an ovenproof or cast iron skillet.
- Add marinara and water. Bring to a boil, then add broken lasagna noodles. Cover and cook until noodles are tender.
- Remove lid and add fresh spinach to wilt.
- Stir in ricotta and parmesan cheese to make the sauce nice and creamy. Top with mozzarella cheese and serve.
Want to make a healthy version?
Not only is this dish full of flavor but it’s packed full of vitamins and minerals from the spinach and tomatoes. Just like pizza pasta, the recipe can easily be adapted to lighten calories.
Here are some healthy substitutions:
- Substitute low fat cottage cheese for the ricotta
- Swapping out turkey Italian sausage maintains the taste, but saves 168 calories per serving.
- Leave out the meat entirely. See above for how to make Skillet Lasagna vegetarian.
- Reduce the mozzarella cheese topping to 1/2 cup
Want more easy, healthy recipes? Try oven chicken cacciatore or slow cooker carne asada!
Vegetarian Skillet Lasagna
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Increase spinach to 6 cups and finish the recipe as written with ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I Use Cottage Cheese?
Yes. I recommend using an equal amount of full fat cottage cheese, but low fat cottage cheese may be substituted to reduce calories. Alternatively, use cubed, softened regular or light cream cheese.
Can Gluten Free Noodles Be Used?
Yes. 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.
Can I Make it in a Cast Iron Skillet?
Yes. Any skillet may be used. If you want to stick the lasagna in the oven to brown cheese, make sure your pan is oven safe.
Can I Use Different Pasta?
Yes. Substitute bow tie pasta, rotini, or penne for the lasagna noodles. You will need 3 cups of dry pasta.
What can I serve with it?
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.
Click here to see the
step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!
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Skillet Lasagna
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage
- 24 ounce jar marinara
- 2 cups water
- 9 uncooked lasagna noodles (regular or gluten free), broken into large pieces
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 4 cups (about 2.5 ounces) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- ½ cup part-skim ricotta
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking up with a spoon until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium and add marinara and water. Bring to boil, scraping up the bottom of the pan with a silicone spoon.
- Add uncooked lasagna noodles and stir to combine. Lower heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until noodles are cooked al dente, about 15 minutes. Occasionally lift lid to gently stir and toss lasagna noodles, making sure they are submerged in sauce and not sticking to each other.
- Remove cover and add spinach, handfuls at a time. Stir spinach into sauce until it wilts then add more. Stir in parmesan cheese and ricotta.
- Immediately top skillet lasagna with mozzarella. Cover with lid, turn off heat, and let sit for a few minutes, or until cheese is melted. Alternatively, if using an oven safe pan, place skillet under broiler for 1-2 minutes to melt cheese. Garnish with basil.
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Equipment Needed
Recipe Notes
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I Use Cottage Cheese?
Yes. I recommend using an equal amount of full fat cottage cheese, but low fat cottage cheese can be substituted to reduce calories. Alternatively, use softened, cubed regular or light cream cheese.Can Gluten Free Noodles Be Used?
Yes. 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.Can I Use Different Pasta?
Yes. Substitute bow tie pasta, rotini, or penne for the lasagna noodles. You will need 3 cups of dry pasta.Making Vegetarian Skillet Lasagna
- 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.
- 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.
- Increase spinach to 6 cups and finish the recipe as written with ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella.
Nutrition
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This recipe first appeared on Easy Good Ideas
Melissa Torres says
The only problem I had was this barely fed my family of 6 – I should’ve doubled it. We got home late from the beach and everyone was hungry. This came together so quickly and was easy – and delicious!! My skillet wasn’t big enough for the sauce and water so I used my dutch oven but it worked perfectly.
Melissa says
Hi Melissa,
Thanks so much for taking the time to write! Yes, we have the same problem at our house. I either have to make filling side dishes or double the recipe and cook in a larger pan because this dinner disappears fast! Great idea using the dutch oven!
Best,
Melissa
Dawn says
We have wanted lasagna for months, but by the time I get home, UGH, the effort!
I made this for dinner last night. HUGE hit, even with the toddler! We now have a way to eat one of our favorite foods with NONE of the mess / work / effort. Thank you!
Melissa says
Hi Dawn,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I agree – I love how easy this is, but still tastes like lasagna. My kids love it as well! That is always a win. 🙂
Best,
Melissa
Jill says
This recipe was so good and couldn’t be easier!! Will become a family regular! Thank you for sharing!
Melissa says
Thank you Jill! I do make this recipe a lot as well because it requires virtually zero brain cells 🤗
Becca says
Made this for dinner tonight & we all loved it! I used spicy Italian sausage in place of the sweet (my family’s preference) and it was great!! So easy to make & easy clean up too!! Thank you again for such an awesome recipe!
Melissa says
You are more than welcome. I love sharing recipes like this. It makes dinner time so much smoother when it’s an easy recipe all can enjoy!
Melissa says
Hi Karly,
You will love how easy it is! I hope you enjoy it. 🤗
Karly says
I love how easy this is! I will be adding this to my weekly menu!