One Pot Skillet Lasagna

If you remember the idea behind a hamburger “helper” type of meal back in the 80s, we are taking that concept to a whole new level with this freezer meal One Pot Skillet Lasagna. First you’ll freeze the basic ingredients, then you’ll add pasta and boil it all in a skillet with just enough water to rehydrate the pasta and add cheese to melt, so that you end up with the perfect mix of pasta, sauce, and gooey melted cheese.

This is a crazy easy and filling meal, with all the flavors of lasagna you know and love, without all of the extra steps of preparing and layering all of the ingredients. It’s just one example of a long line of make-ahead freezer meals found in our Freezer Meals 101 Club.

You might also enjoy One Pot Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta or One Pot Pasta Puttanesca. I find one or two pasta dishes per week to be a nice balance and easy on the budget.

One Pot Skillet Lasagna Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground Italian sausage, browned and cooled
• 3 clove garlic, minced
• ½ onion, minced
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• 2 tsp. oregano
• 1 tsp. basil
• 1 tsp. rosemary
• 1/2 tsp. fennel seed
• 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 large (gallon) freezer bag or reusable silicone bag
• 1 medium (quart) freezer bag

Day of Cooking Ingredients

• 1 lb. small pasta

How to Make One Pot Skillet Lasagna

Assembly Instructions for the Freezer Meal

1. Place all ingredients except cheeses in a large resealable freezer bag.
2. Place cheeses in a medium bag.
3. Remove excess air from both bags and seal.
4. Staple bags together above the seal.
5. Freeze.

Cooking Instructions

1. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
2. Bring contents of large bag and 4 cups of water to a boil in a large, deep skillet.
3. Stir in one pound (one box) of small shell pasta or the small pasta of your choice.
4. Turn heat to medium-low.
5. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked to al dente. Consult the packaging to asses how long this will take.
6. Top with the cheeses.
7. Cover and allow the cheeses to melt.

Can I use a pot instead of a skillet?

Yes. Ideally, this dish would be cooked in a large non-stick skillet or pan. The shape of a skillet with a wide bottom is ideal because the dish will cook faster. A deeper, smaller-bottomed pan, like a stock pot, will take longer to cook. You can also use an electric skillet.

Can I use gluten-free pasta for this dish?

Yes! You can include any kind of pasta you wish. Depending on the type of pasta you choose, you may need to adjust cooking times or the total amount of water added. One final choice is the use of zoodles veggie noodles instead of normal pasta shape.

Are there veggies I can add to skillet lasagna?

Yes. Diced summer squash, such as zucchini or yellow squash, will work well when added to the freezer bag. You can make this lasagna completely vegan by using diced, sauteed mushrooms in place of the sausage.

How long does it take to make skillet lasagna?

You can have this freezer meal lasagna on the table in less than twenty minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or late-night meals for hungry teens.

One Pot Skillet Lasagna Recipe Ideas

The small pasta can be small shells or teeny tiny lasagna noodles (we found these at a local bulk store), elbow macaroni, or any other similar-sized pasta. The smaller it is, the faster it cooks.

Add some chopped spinach when you add the pasta for a variation.

Change up the heat level with your sauasage. It comes in mild, original, medium, or hot. If you are not a fan of ground Italian sausage, you can always use ground beef or half and half.

Use a strainer to drain off the grease from your sausage or hamburger so that all the gross fat doesn’t end in your dish. I like to set a strainer down into a mixing bowl, drain the sausage, and then soak up the grease with paper towels so that it can safely in the trash instead of clogging up my drains and septic.

Cottage cheese can be used in place of ricotta, but you may wish to add it on the day of cooking instead of freezing it since the freezer will change it’s texture.

This dish relies on crushed tomatoes and lots of spices, but in a pinch, you can use pre-made marinara or tomato/basil sauce from a jar. This is more convenient, but also more expensive so it depends on your priorities.

How do I store Skillet Lasagna?

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and will keep for up to four days. You can use a freezer-quality bag if you prefer.

Can I freeze skillet lasagna?

Yes. You can freeze this lasagna and reheat it in a skillet or microwave. I recommend freezing individual servings in microwaveable containers to take to work or school for lunch. The texture of the cooked cheeses may change after being frozen.

What to Serve with One Pot Skillet Lasagna

Serve this easy, cheesy, and delicious meal with a bright salad and garlic bread for a perfectly balanced meal. It also works well with toasted green vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts. Crusty bread, focaccia bread, or a soft Italian bread will also work well.

Print

One Pot Skillet Lasagna

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

35 mins

 

Servings: 4

Calories: 1053 kcal

Ingredients

Freezer Meal in the Bag

• 1 lb ground Italian sausage, browned and cooled
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 onion, minced
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 1/2 tsp fennel seed
• 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Add on the Day of Cooking

• 1 lb Box of Pasta

Instructions

Assembly Instructions

1. Place all ingredients except cheeses in a large resealable freezer bag.

2. Place cheeses in a medium bag.

3. Remove excess air from both bags and seal.

4. Staple bags together above the seal.

Cooking Instructions

1. Thaw.

2. Bring contents of large bag and 4 cups of water to a boil in a deep skillet.

3. Stir in 1 lb. small shell pasta.

4. Turn heat to medium-low.

5. Cook, stirring occasionally until pasta is cooked to al dente.

6. Top with the cheeses.

7. Cover and allow the cheeses to melt.