Easy Skillet Lasagna: Your Quick & Healthy Weeknight Comfort Food Fix

Transform your dinner routine with this incredibly simple and satisfying skillet lasagna recipe – perfect for any night of the week!

There’s nothing quite like the comforting layers of a classic lasagna: savory meat sauce, tender pasta, and gooey melted cheese. It’s a dish that evokes warmth and family gatherings. However, traditional lasagna often requires a significant time commitment, making it a weekend luxury rather than a feasible weeknight meal. That’s where this easy skillet lasagna recipe comes in! Designed for speed and convenience without sacrificing flavor, it brings all the deliciousness of your favorite Italian dish to your table in under 30 minutes.

Speaking of family, my son is finally back home today! He was only away for a few days, but it felt much longer since it was his first school trip. Fifth graders in Colorado participate in something called Eco Week, where they spend three days in the mountains learning about the outdoors, hiking, and camping. I can’t wait to hear all his stories and adventures. It’s moments like these, when everyone gathers back home, that call for a comforting yet simple meal like this skillet lasagna.

Why Skillet Lasagna is Your Weeknight Winner

The beauty of skillet lasagna lies in its ingenious simplicity. Forget about multiple pots, boiling full sheets of pasta, and lengthy oven baking. This recipe streamlines the entire process, turning a complex dish into a one-pan wonder. By breaking the lasagna noodles into smaller, manageable pieces, they cook directly in the sauce, infusing every bite with rich flavor and cutting down on cooking time dramatically. It’s a game-changer for busy weeknights when you crave homemade comfort but are short on time.

Embracing Healthy Pasta Month with Dreamfields

Did you know that October is Healthy Pasta Month? I certainly didn’t, but as a household that practically lives on pasta, I’m thrilled to celebrate it! I’ve partnered with Dreamfields Pasta for this occasion. You might remember my previous collaboration with them on a Middle Eastern Pasta Salad. I’m especially excited they asked me to create a healthier weeknight lasagna. The idea of enjoying pure comfort food without the guilt truly makes me a happy cook, and having lasagna on a Tuesday night? Even better!

This easy weeknight lasagna isn’t just fast; it’s also crafted to be a healthier choice without compromising on taste. We swap traditional ground beef for lean ground turkey breast, a lighter protein option that still delivers robust flavor. We also incorporate part-skim cheeses, reducing the fat content while maintaining that irresistible creamy texture. And of course, the star of our healthy pasta month celebration is Dreamfields Pasta. This pasta is packed with fiber and protein, making it an excellent, more wholesome choice for any meal. Its unique formula helps manage blood sugar levels, allowing you to enjoy your favorite pasta dishes with less worry.

The entire skillet lasagna comes together in less than 30 minutes from start to finish. While the broken lasagna noodles boil, you’ll be browning the ground turkey, sautéing the aromatic onions and garlic, and simmering a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. Once the pasta is cooked al dente, it’s combined with the savory sauce, a medley of delicious cheeses, and then ready to serve. This method truly captures all the beloved flavors of traditional lasagna in a fraction of the time, making it an ideal meal for even the busiest of evenings.

Easy Weeknight Lasagna

By
Erin Sellin

Easy Weeknight Skillet Lasagna: Enjoy classic lasagna flavors made healthier and faster for any night of the week!

Prep:
10 minutes

Cook:
20 minutes

Total:
30 minutes

Servings:
8

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Ingredients

1 box Dreamfields Lasagna, broken into 2 to 3-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey breast
1 cup finely chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 can, (14 ounces) Italian-style diced tomatoes
2 cans, (14 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce
Salt
Pepper
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
Shredded Parmesan cheese, (optional, for serving)
Fresh basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Cook the broken lasagna pasta pieces according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and finely chopped onion to the skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up the turkey, until the turkey is browned and cooked through, and the onion is translucent.
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute, stirring frequently, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Stir in the Italian seasoning and dried oregano.
Pour in the canned Italian-style diced tomatoes and the no-salt-added tomato sauce. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Add the cooked pasta to the turkey-tomato sauce in the skillet. Stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese and all of the part-skim ricotta cheese. Mix gently until the cheeses are melted and thoroughly combined with the pasta and sauce.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the lasagna in the skillet. Cover the skillet for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely, or place under a broiler for a minute if you prefer a browned, bubbly top (watch carefully!).
Serve immediately, topped with shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil, if desired. Enjoy your quick and satisfying weeknight lasagna!

Notes

Nutrition information (per 1/8 of recipe, approximate): 380 calories; 25 g protein; 48 g carbohydrates; 12 g total fat; 4 g saturated fat; 50 mg cholesterol; 270 mg sodium; 7 g total dietary fiber. Please note that the nutrition information in the summary below may vary slightly due to automatic calculation settings.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:
Erin Sellin

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
30 minutes

Course:
Dinner Recipes

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
8

Calories:
244

Tips for Success and Variations

**Add Vegetables:** Boost the nutritional value and flavor by stirring in some fresh spinach, finely diced bell peppers, or grated zucchini along with the tomato sauce.
**Spice it Up:** For a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning.
**Cheese Choices:** While mozzarella and ricotta are classic, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like provolone, fontina, or even a smoked mozzarella for added depth of flavor. Just ensure they melt well.
**Make it Creamier:** For an extra rich sauce, a tablespoon or two of cream cheese or heavy cream can be stirred in at the end.
**Serving Suggestions:** This skillet lasagna is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or some crusty garlic bread to soak up every last bit of that delicious sauce.

Join the #HealthyPastaMonth Celebration!

To spread the love for #HealthyPastaMonth, I’m excited to announce a fantastic prize pack! I’ve teamed up with Dreamfields Pasta to offer one lucky winner a family pack of delicious Dreamfields pasta, along with a $25 gift card. It’s the perfect opportunity to stock your pantry with healthy pasta options and create your own guilt-free, comforting meals.

Be sure to follow along all month long! Dreamfields is collaborating with various bloggers, sharing a new healthy and delicious pasta recipe every day throughout October. You won’t want to miss out on all the creative ways to enjoy pasta as part of a balanced diet.

This easy skillet lasagna is more than just a recipe; it’s a testament to how quick, convenient, and healthy comfort food can be. It’s perfect for those evenings when you want to treat your family to something special without spending hours in the kitchen. Give it a try, and let me know how it transforms your weeknight dinners!

**Dreamfields Pasta compensated me for my time to create this recipe. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.