Description
Skillet Polka Dot Lasagna is an easy, one-pan meal combining ground beef, lasagna noodles, and a rich marinara sauce, topped with dollops of ricotta cheese and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan for a comforting and cheesy family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 2 cups water
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Brown the meat and onion: In a large deep skillet set over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is browned evenly and the onion becomes soft. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Add seasonings and garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking for about 1 minute to release the aromas and blend the flavors.
- Combine sauce and noodles: Pour in the marinara sauce and water, stirring to combine. Add the broken lasagna noodles, distributing them evenly throughout the sauce.
- Simmer until noodles are tender: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover the skillet and cook for 18 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking until the noodles are soft.
- Create polka dot cheese topping: Drop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese evenly over the top of the skillet mixture to form the characteristic polka dot appearance.
- Add shredded cheeses and melt: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the ricotta dollops. Cover the skillet again and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheeses are melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve warm for a hearty, cheesy lasagna dinner made in one pan.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the ground beef to vary the protein.
- Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to increase nutritional value and flavor.
- Using oven-ready lasagna noodles can reduce the cooking time slightly.
