I bet you never thought you could enjoy lasagna for dinner in just 30 minutes! This lazy ravioli skillet lasagna recipe includes tender pasta, a hearty meat sauce and a creamy cheese filling.
I was looking for a really quick and easy way to enjoy lasagna without going through all the hassle and this actually might be even better to me than lasagna. I mean, there is a time and place for classic lasagna, but most weeknights we are busy and I need something fast that I know everyone will love.
Oh, and I am not a fan of ricotta cheese in lasagna. It’s so dry and not once while visiting Italy, did we ever have a single lasagna on the menu that included ricotta cheese so if I don’t do a bechamel sauce I really do think, as weird as it sounds, that cottage cheese makes a better filling it’s creamier and just better overall.
If you’re looking for more of a lasagna soup, try our one pot lasagna pasta! Like this skillet lasagna, it tastes like lasagna but is just a different spin on it.
Ingredients for Skillet Lasagna
Lazy lasagna uses a fraction of the ingredients of traditional lasagna and it takes a fraction of the time and effort. Here are the ingredients you will need for this recipe:
- Rana Ravioli: We love Rana brand for quick pastas. They have several flavors that would be delicious in this recipe. We used the 4 Cheese flavor and two of the 10oz bags.
For the Filling
- Cottage Cheese: adds creaminess and texture
- Parmesan: adds flavor
- Egg: acts as a binder
- Basil: use fresh for the best flavor
- Parsley: fresh is best
- Salt and Pepper: adds flavor
For the Sauce
NOTE: If you have the time, I would make our authentic Bolognese sauce instead of this quick and easy sauce. You’ll only need half a batch, so you can save half for another night. If you are aiming for that 30 minute dinner, then this is what you will need for the sauce:
- Ground Beef: use 15/85 for the best flavor
- Mild Italian Sausage: full of spices for added flavor, could use spicy for more of a kick
- Rao’s Marinara: I haven’t found a better tasting store bought sauce, and it’s the cheapest at Costco. Of course, you can use any brand you want.
- Dried Basil: I literally have no reason other than in college that’s how I made this recipe so it is habit. If you want to use fresh, make it 1 1/2 teaspoons.
- Dried Parsley: same story as the basil
- Salt: boosts flavor
- Mozzarella Cheese: get a block of mozz and grate your own, buying the pre-shredded just won’t melt the same
- Parmesan Cheese: adds more flavor
The measurements of all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
How to Make One Skillet Lasagna
Here are the step by step instructions for making this lazy lasagna recipe. For all the details, scroll to the end of the post to the recipe card.
- Preheat the oven to 425° degrees.
- Brown both meats in a cast iron skillet. Drain grease if necessary and then stir in all the remaining sauce ingredients.
- Cook the pasta in a separate pot.
- Combine all the ingredients for the filling in a bowl.
- Assemble the lasagna by placing a layer of meat sauce down first followed by a third of the pasta and a third of the cheese layer.
- Repeat those layers ending with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake until golden and bubbly and then top with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
The complete instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
What Type of Pan to Use
We like to use a large cast iron skillet so that it can be used on the stove top and go into the oven. A shallow dutch oven would also work great! If you don’t have either of those, you can cook everything on the stove top and then layer the different components in a 9×13 casserole dish and bake as written.
What to Serve with Skillet Lasagna
I don’t know why garlic bread with lasagna is a thing, because hello carbs, but it is just heaven! I always want a yummy slice of some sort of bread to scoop up the extra sauce. Regular french bread, focaccia, or a crusty artisan loaf are all great too.
I also usually serve something a little lighter along with it like a simple green salad or some asparagus.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Quick: You will have dinner on the table in 30 minutes which is hard to beat for a meal as good as this one!
Easy: If you can cook pasta, brown beef and sausage and mix a few ingredients together, then you can make this recipe!
Family Friendly: The whole family will love this recipe. It’s cheesy and everyone loves pasta!
Flavor: Lasagna is pure comfort food and this dish checks all the comfort food boxes. It’s creamy, hearty, and cheesy!
Variations
This recipe is so flexible and can be added to, subtracted from and customized to your liking!
- Vegetables: This is a great recipe for sneaking some vegetables in to hide them from your kiddos (or husband😂). Grated zucchini or carrots are great. If you are serving vegetable lovers, then cubed zucchini, sliced carrots or spinach all work great. Mushrooms is another great option to add in.
- Pasta: The pasta can be substituted easily. You can use a different flavor ravioli or tortellini. Pasta that isn’t stuffed, like bowtie or shells would work great too.
- Meat: You can use all ground beef or all sausage. You could also lighten things up and use ground turkey or chicken and turkey sausage.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
This skillet lasagna is a great recipe to make ahead of time. You can make the whole recipe and then cover it before baking and store in the refrigerator for up 3 days ahead of time. Then bake as directed.
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftovers. Let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until heated through.
This delicious and easy ravioli skillet lasagna recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. In just 30 minutes, you can have a satisfying and hearty meal on the table!
More Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes:
For the Sauce (*see note)
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Preheat the oven to 425° degrees.
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In a pot, cook the ground beef and sausage until cooked through drain off grease and stir in all of the remaining sauce ingredients, set aside.
1/2 lb Ground Beef, 1/2 lb Mild Italian Sausage, 2 Jars Rao’s Marinara, 1/2 teaspoon Dried Basil, 1/2 teaspoon Dried Parsley, Pinch Salt
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Simultaneously, bring a large pot with water to a boil over high heat. Add the ravioli and cook for four minutes or until al dente.
2 Bags Rana Ravioli
For the Filling
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Meanwhile, in a bowl stir together, the cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, herbs, and salt and pepper, set aside. Drain well.
1 1/2 Cups Cottage Cheese, 1/2 Cup Parmesan, 1 Egg, 1 teaspoon Basil, 1 teaspoon Parsley, Pinch Salt and Pepper
To Assemble
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Pour a little sauce into the bottom of a deep cast-iron skillet. Add 1/3 of the raviolis then top with 1/3 of the sauce 1/3 of the cottage cheese mixture and 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese.
1 lb Mozzarella Cheese
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Repeat the layers ending with the final mozzarella cheese.
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Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
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Set aside for a couple of minutes and then sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve!
Parmesan Cheese
**I suggest you do not buy the pre-shredded as it does not melt down as well.
Calories: 957kcal