Short, Catchy Intro:

So you are craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen huh? Same. This Healthy One Pot Skillet Lasagna is basically lasagna in comfy clothes. No layering, no oven gymnastics, no dramatic pasta limpness. You brown some meat, throw in tomatoes and pasta, simmer, fold in cottage cheese, melt mozzarella on top and call it a win.

Oh and if you ever need dessert after this guilt free feast check out this sweet potato chocolate cake recipe I stumbled on. Trust me it pairs surprisingly well with a confident appetite.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

This recipe is fast, forgiving and annoyingly efficient. You get all the cozy lasagna vibes without babysitting a casserole for an hour. It saves dishes which means less scrubbing and more couch time. It is also lighter than traditional lasagna because we use lean meat and cottage cheese instead of heavy ricotta.

It is idiot proof. I say that with love because even I did not mess it up. Want to make it with turkey or chicken instead of beef No problem. Want to swap pasta shapes No drama. It is perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or when you want to impress someone with minimal effort.

Bonus points It reheats beautifully so leftovers are basically future-you thanking present-you.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 lb. lean ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
• 8 oz. dry farfalle pasta (bowtie)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth or water
• 2/3 cup fat-free cottage cheese
• 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 3 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 Tbsp. dried onion flakes
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Yes the list looks like an actual grocery list and not a novel. Go grab your favorites and let us make dinner less dramatic.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Keep it moving so it does not burn.
2. Add ground beef (or turkey/chicken), oregano, onion flakes, salt, and pepper; cook until browned. Break the meat into bite sized pieces as it cooks.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth/water, and uncooked farfalle pasta; mix well. Scrape the skillet bottom so nothing sticks.
4. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 15 minutes until pasta is tender. Peek once to stir and check the pasta texture.
5. Remove from heat; fold in cottage cheese gently. Do not overmix if you want little cheesy pockets.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top; cover until melted (about 1-2 minutes). That quick steam melt is pure magic.
7. Serve hot with fresh herbs if desired. Garnish like you mean it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Thinking you can skip stirring when the pasta is cooking. Pasta likes attention. Stir once or twice so it does not clump.
• Using a tiny skillet for a huge dinner. Overcrowding makes uneven cooking and sad pasta. Use a large pan.
• Letting garlic burn in the first step. Burnt garlic tastes like regret. Cook until fragrant then move on.
• Adding all the cheese at once and melting forever. A quick cover to melt the mozzarella keeps it gooey not gluey.
• Forgetting to taste and adjust salt and pepper. Your dish is not done until you taste it. Seriously.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Want to swap things No sweat. Try ground turkey or chicken if you prefer white meat. Use whole wheat pasta for extra fiber. If you are dairy averse swap cottage cheese with silken tofu for a similar creamy texture IMO. No farfalle Use penne or rotini instead they behave the same in a one pot scenario.

If you want it spicier add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce. Vegetarian option Use crumbled tempeh or a plant based ground substitute and swap chicken broth for vegetable broth. For a richer flavor use low sodium beef broth instead of chicken broth.

My take If you add fresh basil at the end you instantly look like you know what you are doing. Also use a skillet with a snug lid to trap steam and melt cheese perfectly.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q Why does my pasta sometimes stick together when I cook it in the sauce Should I precook it First Why not just follow the recipe It works because the liquid and stirring give the pasta space to hydrate evenly. If you are nervous give it a quick 2 minute boil on its own then finish in the sauce.

Q Can I use frozen diced tomatoes Sure frozen tomatoes are fine. Thaw a bit or add a minute or two to cook off extra liquid. I do this when I am running low on canned goods.

Q Is cottage cheese really necessary No it is not mandatory but it gives that creamy lasagna texture without the heaviness of ricotta. Want to skip it Use plain Greek yogurt or ricotta if you prefer.

Q Can I make this gluten free Absolutely Use your favorite GF pasta and keep an eye on the cooking time. GF pastas sometimes need a little less or a little more liquid.

Q Will this freeze well Yes freeze in portion sized containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to loosen it.

Q How do I make it cheesier without adding too many calories Use a light sprinkle of aged Parmesan for big flavor with a little amount. A little goes a long way folks.

Q Can I double the recipe Go ahead but use a very large pan and increase simmer time slightly. You do not want a crowded pan.

Final Thoughts

This skillet lasagna is the kind of meal that makes you feel clever and cozy at the same time. It hits the comfort food sweet spot while staying lighter and way less fussy. You get cheesy, tomatoey, meaty goodness in about 30 minutes and minimal cleanup. What is not to love?

A couple of quick pro tips before you go: taste and adjust seasoning at the end and cover the skillet to melt the cheese quickly. Also do not be afraid to make it your own. Toss in spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers if you want a veggie upgrade.

Now go impress someone or yourself with this easy dinner. You have earned some bragging rights and possibly dessert.

Conclusion

For a quick reference version of this idea see the original inspiration at Healthier One Pot Skillet Lasagna. If you want another take with useful tips check out this helpful walkthrough at Healthy One Pot Skillet Lasagna | Modernmealmakeover.com. For a protein forward spin and more serving ideas see One-Skillet Lasagna | High-Protein Dinner Idea.

Enjoy, have fun, and try not to eat the whole skillet in one sitting.

Healthy One Pot Skillet Lasagna

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Healthy, Low-Calorie

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Description

This easy and comforting skillet lasagna is perfect for weeknights, bringing all the cozy flavors without the fuss of traditional lasagna.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb. lean ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
• 8 oz. dry farfalle pasta (bowtie)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth or water
• 2/3 cup fat-free cottage cheese
• 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 3 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 Tbsp. dried onion flakes
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
2. Add ground beef, oregano, onion flakes, salt, and pepper; cook until browned.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth/water, and uncooked farfalle pasta; mix well.
4. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 15 minutes until pasta is tender.
5. Remove from heat; fold in cottage cheese gently.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top; cover until melted (1-2 minutes).
7. Serve hot and garnish as desired.

Notes

Feel free to swap ground meat, pasta shapes, and even add vegetables for a healthy twist.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: skillet lasagna, easy dinner, one pot meal, healthy lasagna, weeknight dinner