Description
This easy skillet lasagna with cottage cheese offers a simplified twist on classic lasagna, combining all the layers into one pan for quick prep and easy cleanup. Featuring lean ground turkey, fresh vegetables, and creamy cottage cheese, it’s a comforting, flavorful weeknight dinner perfect for families or busy cooks who love lasagna without the hassle.
Ingredients
Meat and Veggies
- 1 teaspoon olive or avocado oil
- 1 lb lean ground turkey (or lean ground beef)
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Sauce and Pasta
- 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce
- 8 oz uncooked lasagna noodles (use gluten free if necessary)
- 1 ½ cups water
Cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese (omit for dairy free)
- 1 cup low fat shredded mozzarella, divided (omit for dairy free)
Instructions
- Cook the Meat and Veggies: Place a pan on the stove over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil, ground turkey, diced onion, diced zucchini, minced garlic, kosher salt, and Italian seasoning. Break up the turkey and stir continuously as it cooks. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the turkey is fully cooked through and vegetables are slightly softened.
- Add Sauce and Noodles: Break the uncooked lasagna noodles into large pieces. Add the marinara sauce, water, and broken noodles to the pan. Stir until everything is evenly distributed. Reduce heat to low and cover with a lid.
- Simmer the Lasagna: Let the skillet lasagna simmer gently for 25-35 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Make sure the noodles remain mostly submerged in the sauce mixture for uniform tenderness.
- Add Cheeses: Once the noodles are soft and cooked through, remove the pan from heat and uncover. Stir in the cottage cheese and half (½ cup) of the shredded mozzarella until the cheese melts and combines into the mixture.
- Finish with Mozzarella: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese evenly on top. To melt and lightly brown the cheese, either broil the skillet in the oven for 3-4 minutes or cover with the lid and let sit for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the skillet lasagna to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving, letting the flavors meld and the dish set for easier portioning.
Notes
- You can substitute lean ground beef for ground turkey if preferred.
- For a dairy-free option, omit the cottage cheese and mozzarella cheeses.
- Breaking the noodles into large pieces helps them cook more evenly and fit better in the skillet.
- Stirring every 5 minutes while simmering prevents noodles from sticking to the pan and promotes even cooking.
- If you don’t have a broiler, simply cover the pan and let the cheese melt on low heat for best results.
- Use gluten-free lasagna noodles to make this recipe gluten free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
