Amazing Skillet Broken Lasagna: 1 Pan Wonder
Okay, let’s talk about my absolute go-to for when I’m craving something hearty and comforting but honestly just don’t have the energy for a whole production. This Skillet Broken Lasagna is a total game-changer, seriously! Forget all those fussy layers and the endless dishes. This recipe is pure magic because it throws *everything* into one pan. I remember first trying a “broken” lasagna years ago and thinking, “Why did no one tell me this was a thing sooner?!” It’s just so ridiculously easy and tastes like the real deal, maybe even better because all those amazing flavors meld together so perfectly. It’s become my secret weapon for busy weeknights, and trust me, it’ll be yours too!
Gathering Your Skillet Broken Lasagna Ingredients
Alright, let’s get our ingredients together for this amazing Skillet Broken Lasagna. The beauty of this recipe is that it’s pretty straightforward, using pantry staples and a few fresh goodies. You’ll need about a pound of Italian sausage – I love the flavor it brings, but ground beef or turkey works too! Make sure you have one onion, chopped up nice and fine, and a couple of cloves of garlic that you’ve minced. Then, we’ve got our trusty canned tomatoes: a big 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and a 15-ounce can of tomato sauce. Don’t forget the herbs – dried oregano and basil, plus salt and pepper to taste.
Core Components for Skillet Broken Lasagna
These are the stars of our show! The Italian sausage gives us that savory, slightly spicy base that just screams comfort food. The crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce create this rich, delicious sauce that everything simmers in. And of course, the lasagna noodles! The “broken” part is key here – we’re snapping them into smaller pieces so they cook evenly right in the sauce. It’s what makes this a true one-pan wonder.
The Creamy Ricotta and Cheese Topping
Now for that dreamy topping! You’ll need about 15 ounces of ricotta cheese for that creamy, tangy goodness. We’ll mix that with one large, beaten egg to help it hold together, and a quarter cup of grated Parmesan cheese for extra salty, nutty flavor. And no lasagna is complete without mozzarella, right? We’ll use about a cup and a half of shredded mozzarella to get that perfectly bubbly, melty cheese finish on top. It’s the perfect contrast to the savory sauce and noodles!
Effortless Steps to Your Skillet Broken Lasagna
Okay, let’s get this party started! Making this Skillet Broken Lasagna is honestly so much fun and ridiculously easy. You’re going to love how quickly it comes together.
Browning the Sausage and Aromatics
First things first, grab your biggest skillet – the one you’ll be finishing the whole dish in. Pop it over medium-high heat. Add your pound of Italian sausage and just let it cook, breaking it up with your spoon as it browns. We want it nice and browned, so give it a good few minutes. Once it’s cooked through, carefully drain off any excess grease. Nobody wants a greasy lasagna! Now, toss in your chopped onion and let it soften up, about 5 minutes, stirring it around. Then, add your minced garlic. Be careful here, garlic can burn fast! Just cook it for about a minute until you can smell that amazing garlicky aroma.
Building the Flavorful Sauce for Skillet Broken Lasagna
Time for the sauce! Pour in that big can of crushed tomatoes and the can of tomato sauce. Give it a good stir, scraping up any tasty bits from the bottom of the skillet. Now, let’s add our Italian seasonings: the dried oregano and basil, plus your salt and pepper. Stir it all up until it’s beautifully combined. Bring this glorious mixture to a gentle simmer. See? It’s already smelling incredible. Now for the fun part – the noodles! Take those 12 lasagna noodles and just break them into pieces. Don’t worry about making them perfect; rough chunks are totally fine. Stir these broken noodle pieces right into the sauce, making sure they’re all coated. This is what makes it “broken” lasagna!
Simmering the Noodles to Perfection
Once those noodles are happily nestled in the sauce, it’s time to let them cook. Pop a lid on your skillet. We’re going to let this simmer away for about 15 to 20 minutes. The goal here is for those noodles to get nice and tender. You’ll want to stir it occasionally, maybe every 5 minutes or so, just to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom and all those noodles are getting cooked evenly. Give them a little poke with your spoon – you want them to be easily pierced with no crunch left!
Preparing the Creamy Ricotta Dollops
While those noodles are doing their thing, let’s whip up the creamy topping. Grab a small bowl. Put in your ricotta cheese, the beaten egg, and that grated Parmesan cheese. Give it a good mix with a fork until it’s all combined and nice and smooth. This little mixture is going to add such a delicious creamy contrast to the saucy noodles.
Finishing Your Skillet Broken Lasagna
Once your noodles are perfectly tender, it’s time for the grand finale! Take off the lid. Now, using a couple of spoons, dollop spoonfuls of that ricotta mixture all over the top of the lasagna. Don’t try to spread it perfectly; little pockets of creamy goodness are exactly what we want. Then, sprinkle all that shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Put the lid back on the skillet for about 5 more minutes. This is just long enough to let that mozzarella melt into a gooey, bubbly blanket of cheesy perfection. And voilà! Your Skillet Broken Lasagna is ready to be devoured!
Tips for Perfect Skillet Broken Lasagna
You know, even though this Skillet Broken Lasagna is super forgiving, there are a couple of little tricks that really make it shine. Don’t be afraid to play around with it! It’s all about making it work for *your* kitchen and *your* taste buds.
Ingredient Swaps for Your Skillet Broken Lasagna
If you’re not a fan of Italian sausage, or just want to switch things up, feel free to use ground beef or even ground turkey. They’ll give you a slightly different flavor profile, but still delicious! And for some added color and crunch, toss in some chopped bell peppers or sliced mushrooms along with the onion. It adds a nice fresh element. Oh, and if you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes stirred into the sauce with the seasonings is a fantastic little kick!
Achieving the Ideal Noodle Texture
The biggest thing with a recipe like this is getting those noodles just right. You want them tender, but not mushy, you know? The key is to stir them occasionally while they’re simmering in the sauce. This stops them from sticking and ensures they cook evenly. When you test them, they should be easily pierced with a fork and feel soft, but still have a tiny bit of chew. If they seem a little too firm after 20 minutes, just let them simmer a few minutes longer, but keep an eye on them so they don’t turn to mush. Trust your taste buds on this one!
Frequently Asked Questions About Skillet Broken Lasagna
Got questions about this glorious Skillet Broken Lasagna? I’ve got answers! This recipe is pretty straightforward, but it’s always good to know a few things.
Q1. Can I make this Skillet Broken Lasagna ahead of time?
You sure can! You can assemble the whole thing up to the point of adding the ricotta and mozzarella, then cover and refrigerate it. When you’re ready to cook, just add those topping ingredients and follow the final cooking steps, maybe adding a few extra minutes to account for the cold temperature.
Q2. What are good side dishes for one-pan lasagna?
This dish is pretty hearty on its own, but a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is perfect to cut through the richness. Garlic bread is always a winner too, if you’re feeling extra indulgent!
Q3. Can I use different types of cheese?
Absolutely! While mozzarella is classic for that melty pull, feel free to try provolone or a blend of Italian cheeses. Just make sure they melt well. If you’re not a fan of ricotta, a creamy béchamel sauce could work, but the ricotta dollops are pretty special!
Serving and Storing Your Skillet Broken Lasagna
Alright, the moment of truth! Once that mozzarella is perfectly bubbly and melted, carefully take the lid off your skillet. Let it sit for just a couple of minutes before serving – this helps everything settle a bit. Grab a big spoon and scoop generous portions right out of the skillet onto plates. It’s fantastic served just as it is, or with a side of crusty bread for soaking up any extra sauce. If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), just cover the skillet tightly or transfer portions to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for about 3 days. To reheat, just pop a portion in the microwave until warm, or gently reheat in a skillet over low heat, adding a tiny splash of water if it seems dry.
Estimated Nutritional Information for Skillet Broken Lasagna
Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates and can vary a bit based on the specific brands you use and any swaps you make! For one serving of this delicious Skillet Broken Lasagna, you’re looking at roughly 450 calories, about 25g of fat (with 10g being saturated), 35g of carbohydrates, and a solid 25g of protein. Enjoy!
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Amazing Skillet Broken Lasagna: 1 Pan Wonder
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious one-pan broken lasagna recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight meal. This broken lasagna skips the layering and brings all the flavors together in a skillet.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Drain off excess fat.
- Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the broken lasagna noodles to the skillet, stirring to coat them in the sauce. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.
- While the noodles are cooking, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
- Once noodles are tender, dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the lasagna. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes, or until mozzarella is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- You can use ground beef or turkey instead of Italian sausage.
- Add your favorite vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms with the onion.
- For a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: skillet broken lasagna, one pan lasagna, easy lasagna recipe, quick lasagna, broken lasagna
