This Cast Iron Skillet Lasagna is a one-pan, 30-minute dinner featuring hearty Italian sausage, tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of creamy, melty cheese for an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love!
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Lasagna has always been one of those comfort foods that feels like a special occasion, but I’ll admit I don’t always have the time (or patience!) to assemble a traditional layered version on a busy weeknight.
This easier option has everything I crave-the savory Italian sausage, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella-in one pan with far less effort. Even better, cleanup is quick since everything cooks in the same skillet!
That’s why I love this skillet version just as I enjoy my Easy Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas! Both are meals that bring classic comfort-food flavors to the dinner table without me having to spend long hours in the kitchen on preparation and cleanup.
🧾 Ingredients Needed
- Italian sausage
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Pasta sauce
- Water
- Rotini pasta
- Italian seasoning
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
📌 Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with quantities and step-by-step instructions!
🥣 How to Make
- Add the Italian sausage to a large skillet and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir the sauce, water, noodles, and Italian seasoning into the skillet and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often. If noodles are not tender enough, cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add the ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and stir well to combine.
- Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, then top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Serve hot, and enjoy!
⭐ Tips and Substitutions⭐
Variations
- Swap the protein by using ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, or a combination of beef and Italian sausage.
- Choose hot Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes to make it spicy!
- Stir in mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, diced bell peppers, or onions while browning the meat to add a veggie twist.
- Use a different pasta like penne, fusilli, cavatappi, or small shells – all of which work well if you don’t have rotini.
Pro Tips
- Use a large cast-iron skillet or another deep, oven-safe skillet to give the pasta plenty of room to cook.
- Stir the pasta occasionally while simmering to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the skillet!
- Keep an eye on the liquid level. If the sauce becomes too thick before the pasta is tender, add a splash of water or broth.
- Taste the pasta before adding the cheeses. Continue simmering for a few extra minutes if you’d like softer noodles.
More Skillet Meals
Cast Iron Skillet Lasagna
Ingredients
- 12 oz italian sausage
- salt and pepper to taste
- 24 oz pasta sauce
- 1 ½ cups water
- 8 oz rotini noodles
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add the Italian sausage to a large skillet and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir the sauce, water, noodles, and Italian seasoning into the skillet and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often. If noodles are not tender enough, cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add the ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and stir well to combine.
- Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, then top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Serve hot, and enjoy!
Notes
Tips and Substitutions
Variations
- Swap the protein by using ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, or a combination of beef and Italian sausage.
- Choose hot Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes to make it spicy!
- Stir in mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, diced bell peppers, or onions while browning the meat to add a veggie twist.
- Use a different pasta like penne, fusilli, cavatappi, or small shells, all of which work well if you don’t have rotini.
Pro Tips
- Use a large cast-iron skillet or another deep, oven-safe skillet to give the pasta plenty of room to cook.
- Stir the pasta occasionally while simmering to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the skillet!
- Keep an eye on the liquid level. If the sauce becomes too thick before the pasta is tender, add a splash of water or broth.
- Taste the pasta before adding the cheeses. Continue simmering for a few extra minutes if you’d like softer noodles.
Nutrition
If you tried this Cast Iron Skillet Lasagna
or any other recipe on my site, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it turned out in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing about your results and thoughts!
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