Ingredients
Skillet Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup diced and peeled carrots
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms (bella, button, or white mushrooms)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1 24 oz jar of marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups water
- 8 oz lasagna noodles, cut into pieces
Cheese Mixture
- 6 oz mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: Begin by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the olive or avocado oil to coat the bottom.
- Cook Beef and Veggies: Add the ground beef, diced onion, carrots, chopped mushrooms, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is mostly cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Drain any excess fat or water to keep the dish lean.
- Add Sauces and Seasoning: Stir in the marinara sauce, sea salt, Italian seasoning, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, ensuring everything is well combined and heated through.
- Cook the Lasagna Noodles: Add the cut lasagna noodles to the skillet, nestling them under the beef and sauce mixture for even cooking. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, occasionally checking every 5 to 7 minutes to prevent noodles from sticking to each other or the pan.
- Incorporate Cheese: Once noodles are al dente, remove the lid and stir in the cottage cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese until evenly distributed through the skillet.
- Broil the Cheese Topping (Optional): Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and optional parmesan cheese on top of the mixture. For a melty, golden cheese crust, place the skillet under a preheated oven broiler for about 3 minutes until bubbly and browned. Alternatively, cover the skillet and let sit for a few minutes to allow the cheeses to melt naturally.
- Finish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil and adjust salt to your taste. Serve hot, straight from the skillet for a cozy and convenient meal.
Notes
- Use lean ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option.
- If you don’t have fresh basil, dried basil or Italian seasoning can be used as a substitute.
- Be sure to cut the lasagna noodles into smaller pieces so they cook evenly in the skillet.
- Stir the noodles occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking or burning on the bottom.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute the meat for plant-based ground meat alternatives and use vegetarian-friendly cheese.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat on the stove or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American