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One Pot Lasagna is the weeknight hero that gives you all the cozy, cheesy, saucy flavor of classic lasagna without the layering or the pile of dishes, and I started making it on busy school nights when the girls were starving and I had zero patience for a casserole. If you love an easy skillet dinner like our spaghetti and meatballs, this one pot lasagna is about to be your new go to.
Everything cooks together in a single skillet in about 35 minutes, so dinner is on the table fast with almost no cleanup.
One Pot Lasagna Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 25 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 35 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 4 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 669kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Hearty beef and tomato with melty ricotta and mozzarella
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, on par with our cajun chicken pasta
Quick Answer
Make One Pot Lasagna by browning ground beef with garlic and seasonings in a large skillet, then stirring in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and bowtie pasta. Cover and simmer for 14 to 18 minutes until the pasta is tender, then stir in ricotta and mozzarella, top with more mozzarella, and cook until melted and bubbly.
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Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- One skillet means easy cleanup. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so there is no separate pot to boil and drain, and no stack of dishes after dinner.
- The pasta soaks up flavor. Cooking the bowties directly in the seasoned tomato broth means every bite is packed with rich lasagna flavor.
- Two cheeses make it taste like lasagna. Stirring in ricotta and melting mozzarella on top gives you that classic creamy, cheesy lasagna experience in a skillet.
- It is fast enough for weeknights. Start to finish is about 35 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy nights when everyone is hungry.
- Everything is pantry friendly. Ground beef, canned tomatoes, and a box of pasta are easy to keep on hand for a last minute dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This One Pot Lasagna delivers all the comfort of classic lasagna with a fraction of the work.
- It is a true weeknight winner, ready in about 35 minutes with only one pan to wash.
- It is hearty, cheesy, and a guaranteed hit, just like our cozy lasagna soup.
Key Ingredients
Here is what makes this One Pot Lasagna work, and why each piece matters.
- Ground beef: lean ground beef gives the dish its hearty, meaty base, drain off excess grease for the best texture.
- Bowtie pasta: sturdy bowties hold up well cooking right in the sauce, but any short pasta works.
- Ricotta and mozzarella: the two cheeses are what make this taste like real lasagna, creamy and gooey.
- Canned tomatoes and sauce: diced tomatoes plus tomato sauce build a rich, classic lasagna flavor fast.
- Chicken broth: the pasta simmers in broth instead of water for deeper flavor, the same trick we use in our Italian wedding soup.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This One Pot Lasagna is easy to make your own.
- Swap the ground beef for Italian sausage, ground turkey, or a mix for a different flavor.
- Add a couple handfuls of fresh spinach with the pasta for an easy veggie boost.
- Use cottage cheese in place of ricotta, or stir in a spoonful of pesto for extra richness.
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes on top for a little heat, like we do with our cajun chicken pasta.
How to Make One Pot Lasagna
- Brown the beef. Cook the ground beef with the garlic, onion flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it browns.
- Add the pasta and tomatoes. Stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and bowtie pasta until everything is well combined.
- Simmer until tender. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 14 to 18 minutes until the pasta is cooked through.
- Stir in the cheeses. Off the heat, stir in the ricotta and one cup of the mozzarella until the sauce is creamy.
- Top with mozzarella. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top, cover, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until melted.
- Garnish and serve. Finish with parmesan and fresh parsley if you like, then serve hot right from the skillet.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Keep the pasta submerged. Push the bowties under the sauce so they cook evenly and soak up flavor.
- Use a deep skillet. A large, deep pan or cast iron skillet holds everything and cooks evenly.
- Drain the beef if needed. Pour off excess grease after browning so the sauce is not oily.
- Stir the pasta occasionally. A few stirs keep the noodles from sticking to the bottom.
- Let it rest a few minutes. The sauce thickens slightly as it sits, making it easier to serve.
- Use broth, not water. Chicken broth adds savory depth you just do not get from water.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
This One Pot Lasagna is a full meal on its own, but it is even better with a side of garlic bread to soak up the sauce and a crisp green salad.
Round out the table with our homemade meatballs or a bowl of Italian wedding soup for a cozy Italian dinner.
Leftovers reheat beautifully, so it is great for meal prep and packed lunches. For another easy pasta night, try our creamy chicken stroganoff.
One Pot Lasagna FAQs
Yes, make One Pot Lasagna ahead and store it in the fridge. The pasta absorbs sauce as it sits, so add a splash of broth when reheating to loosen it back up.
Store leftover One Pot Lasagna in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave with a little extra broth.
Yes, freeze One Pot Lasagna in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently, adding broth as needed.
Bowtie pasta holds up great in One Pot Lasagna, but penne, rotini, or even broken lasagna noodles all work well since they cook right in the sauce.
Absolutely. Swap the ground beef in this One Pot Lasagna for Italian sausage, ground turkey, or ground chicken depending on what you have on hand.
If your One Pot Lasagna is too soupy, simmer it uncovered for a few extra minutes. The sauce thickens as the pasta finishes absorbing the liquid.
Looking for more easy dinners? Try our spaghetti and meatballs next.
One Pot Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion flakes
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes
- 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta
- 2/3 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese divided
Instructions
- In a large skillet, add the ground beef, garlic, onion flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook on medium heat, breaking up the ground beef into crumbles, until the beef is cooked and browned, 8-10 minutes.1 pound lean ground beef, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon dried minced onion flakes, 1 & 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pour the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and pasta into the pan and stir until everything is well combined.2 cups chicken broth, 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes, 8 ounce can tomato sauce, 8 ounces bowtie pasta
- Cover with a lid and bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer for about 14-18 minutes or until the noodles are cooked through.
- Remove from the heat and add in the ricotta cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and stir to combine.2/3 cup ricotta cheese, 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- Top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, cover, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese on top is melted.
- Top with the parmesan cheese and parsley (optional) and serve and enjoy!
Notes
- A cast-iron skillet or a deep skillet works best for an even cooking time and a beautiful presentation.
- If using water instead of chicken broth, consider adding a bit of Italian seasoning to amp up the flavor.
- Experiment with different kinds of cheese for layers of flavor—think whole milk mozzarella for meltiness and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a sharp bite.
- Keep the pasta submerged in the sauce to ensure it cooks evenly and soaks up all the delicious flavors.
- For a little kick, sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top before serving.
- Remember, this easy one pot lasagna is all about simplicity and flavor—don’t be afraid to make it your own!
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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I was so impressed with how easy and delicious this recipe was. I will be making this again and again. Thanks for all the wonderful recipes on here and the dinner suggestions.