Introduction
Are you a fan of lasagna but find it too time-consuming to make? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ll be sharing a delicious and convenient recipe for skillet lasagna. This recipe takes all the same ingredients and components of a regular lasagna but cooks it all in one skillet, saving you time and effort. Let’s dive in!
Building the Sauce
To start, we’ll be building the sauce. Begin by mincing one onion. Slice off the top and the root end, then cut the onion in half and peel back the outer layer of skin. Chop the onion finely by running your knife parallel to the board, then chop the other way to create small pieces. Lastly, chop the root end. In the meantime, preheat a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a skillet and add the minced onion along with a pinch of salt. Let it cook for about five minutes, until the onions begin to brown and soften. Next, mince three cloves of garlic. Pound the garlic cloves with a knife to loosen the paper, then use a garlic press to ensure even-sized minced garlic. Add the minced garlic and a dash of red pepper flakes to the skillet, letting it cook for about 30 seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant. Now, it’s time to add the meat. Use a pound of meatloaf mix, which is a combination of veal, pork, and ground beef. If you can’t find meatloaf mix, you can use 85% lean ground beef instead. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and mix it with the onions and garlic, allowing the flavors to blend together.
Adding the Noodles and Liquid
Once the meat is no longer pink, it’s time to add the lasagna noodles. Instead of using traditional lasagna noodles, break regular lasagna noodles into two-inch pieces. This ensures that everything cooks at the same rate and saves you from layering the lasagna. Scatter the broken noodles on top of the meat in the skillet. Don’t worry about stirring them at this point. To ensure the noodles cook thoroughly, add 28 ounces of diced tomatoes and enough water to measure four cups total. Carefully pour the diced tomatoes and water into the skillet, followed by an eight-ounce can of tomato sauce. Cover the skillet and bring it to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
The Final Touches
Once the pasta is tender, stir in an ounce of grated Parmesan cheese to mimic the cheesy layer of traditional lasagna. Save a couple of tablespoons of Parmesan to sprinkle on top later. Add heaping tablespoons of ricotta cheese throughout the skillet, allowing it to soften with the heat. Place the lid back on and let it sit for five minutes to let the ricotta blend in with the lasagna. Before serving, garnish the skillet lasagna with torn basil leaves. Sprinkle the remaining grated Parmesan on top for an extra cheesy kick. And there you have it – a beautifully layered skillet lasagna that tastes just like the traditional version but without all the time and effort.
Conclusion
Skillet lasagna is a game-changer for busy weeknights when you’re craving a comforting and satisfying meal. With this recipe, you can enjoy all the flavors of a traditional lasagna without the hassle of layering and baking. The one-skillet method saves time and allows every component to cook together, resulting in a delicious and tender dish that will leave you wanting more. Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think in the comments below. We hope you enjoy this quick and easy weeknight skillet lasagna! (Note: The link for this recipe can be found in the description below the video.)
