This One Skillet Polka Dot Lasagna is a remix of a recipe from my cookbook, Express Lane Cooking, and it’s seriously THE BEST!
You knew it wouldn’t be too long before I was back with another one skillet dinner, right?
Who has time to construct an elaborate lasagna casserole when you can get all the delicious flavors of lasagna in one super quick and easy skillet meal?
Yes, even the pasta gets cooked in this one pan!
One Skillet Polka Dot Lasagna Recipe
In my cookbook I use ground beef along with a few spices to give this dish a sausage flavor, but when I have ground sausage in the fridge I just go ahead and use that in place of the ground beef.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s the basic list of the ingredients you’ll need in order to make this skillet lasagna. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
- Ground Sausage – you can swap for turkey sausage if desired
- Seasonings – garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning
- Pasta Sauce – use your favorite store brand or my homemade marinara sauce
- Bowtie pasta – you can also use broken lasagna strips
- Cheese – mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan
How To Make Skillet Lasagna
Start by browning your sausage in a skillet and season with garlic powder and onion powder. If desired, you can also use fresh garlic and diced onion instead.
Next add in the pasta sauce and extra water and bring to a simmer.
Toss the dried bowtie pasta into the skillet and let it cook until tender.
As the sauce thickens, the pasta gets nice and tender and all that’s left is to make the ricotta cheese dumplings… hence the polka dot part!
Rather than layer the dish with a classic ricotta cheese filling, we’re going to make little cheese dumplings that will go on top of the pasta and sauce. When it steams under the lid it’ll cook through and create a cheesy bite that is to die for!
Cheesy Ricotta Filling for Lasagna
The recipe in my cookbook calls for more parmesan cheese and no mozzarella, but I love adding in the mozzarella for a nice cheesy filling.
My cookbook is all about using just 5 ingredients, which is completely awesome, but obviously if I have some extra cheese in the fridge, I’ll throw that in there. 😉
Dollop the ricotta mixture on top of the cooked pasta and then cover and let cook until the cheese mixture is set.
No Layered Lasagna
No layering, no pre-boiling noodles, no fuss.
This one skillet polka dot lasagna gives you all the flavors of lasagna in less than 30 minutes!
Just wait till you start making this and the heavenly aroma begins to fill the kitchen and neighboring rooms.
You’ll have everyone to the table in no time!
What To Serve With Lasagna
We love serving this quick and easy lasagna with a simple Caesar Salad and Garlic Breadsticks! It’s a complete meal anyone would love.
If you have fresh basil, don’t hesitate to toss that on top! It really adds a nice bright flavor to the dish.
Your favorite Italian comfort food just got a makeover and she looks goooooood.
HELPFUL PRODUCTS TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:
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One Skillet Polka Dot Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground mild Italian Sausage
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 cups pasta sauce
- 2 cups bowtie pasta, uncooked
- 2 cups water
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp basil, dried (or Italian seasoning)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Brown the ground sausage in a large skillet and drain any excess fat.
- Return the skillet to the stove and add the garlic powder, onion powder, pasta sauce, pasta, water and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine, then bring a to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
- Meanwhile, combine the mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan cheese, egg, basil, flour, salt and pepper in a bowl and stir to combine. Scoop large dollops of the cheese mixture on top of the cooked pasta in the skillet, taking care to space them out.
- Cover the lid and cook an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese mixture has set. Enjoy!
Nutrition
DON’T FORGET TO PIN THE RECIPE TO SAVE IT!
This recipe is so good! Used turkey sausage. Came out perfect and makes a lot!
The 2 cups of water? Am I not cooking my bow tie pasta first?
The pasta gets cooked WITH everything else. That’s why it’s a ONE pan dinner! 😉
I don’t have any ricotta cheese on hand could you substitute for feta?
I think feta cheese would be far too salty for this recipe. You could try using a drained cottage cheese in the place of ricotta.
Very good, but we’re a family of three, would the leftovers freeze well?
Yes, I’m sure the leftovers will freeze great.
Hit Print and you can change it to how ever servings you want 🙂
I made this last night for dinner, I did have to substitute ground beef and I didn’t have bow tie pasta so I used campanelle but it was delicious and EASY! Thank you
Do you think I could make this with orzo pasta instead? I really want to try it.
Thanks, Jan
You could use Orzo pasta instead of bow tie! Should be great!
This is a stellar recipe! A new family favorite!
Awesome! So happy to hear!
Love the recipe and can’t wait to try but I noticed one thing that was missing…. What do you do with the egg? Mix it with ricotta cheese mixture?
Look at the pictures and you’ll see it.
Thanks Jim!
It will get mixed in with the ricotta mixture. Sorry it was missing, I’ve updated the recipe so it’s correct now. Thanks!
This was terrific! Thanks for sharing a great recipe!!!
So glad you enjoyed it!
if i was allergic to the rictotta what could i subsitite it with?
This looks amazing! Do you have a particular pasta sauce you use? Or just any jar of Prego/Ragu/etc.?
Thanks!
This recipe is brilliant! I love being able to turn a classic recipe into something new and fun!
I would think Cottage cheese would suffice