Cast Iron Skillet Lasagna From Scratch
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
55 mins
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Servings
6 people
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Calories
460 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Cast Iron Skillet Lasagna From Scratch
Description
Cast Iron Skillet Lasagna From Scratch combines ground beef, onions, garlic, and baby spinach cooked in olive oil, simmered with a mushroom marinara sauce enhanced by oregano, sage, thyme, and basil. The dish features layered cut lasagna noodles topped with a blended mixture of ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, then baked in a cast iron skillet. The use of dried herbs complements the savory beef and tomato sauce, while the ricotta and mozzarella add creamy and melty textures that bind the layers together.
The preparation uses a skillet for cooking the meat sauce and assembling the lasagna, which provides a rustic and manageable approach for even cooking. The layering involves alternating noodles, cheese mixture, and sauce, finished with a top layer of mozzarella for a golden crust.
This lasagna works well as a family dinner or when a comforting, hearty meal is wanted. It can be garnished with fresh basil or parsley to add a fresh herbal note at serving. The recipe adapts to different sauces and herbs according to taste or availability.
Adjusting the amount of herbs can balance the seasoning depending on the marinara sauce used. Substitutions include mixing cottage cheese with ricotta or using Parmesan in the final topping to increase cheesiness. Omitting beef can create a vegetarian version enhanced with additional vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1-2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion about 1 cup, white, diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups baby spinach packed
- 3 cups mushroom marinara sauce or your other favorite marinara or 25 oz jar of pasta sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese divided
- 8 pieces lasagna noodles cut into thirds
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1/4 teaspoon sage dried
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1/4 teaspoon basil dried
- basil optional, or parsley, for garnish, fresh
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
- Heat oil in a cast iron skillet, or other 12 inch skillet, to medium. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 3-5 minutes until lightly browned.
- Add ground beef and crumble with wooden spoon as it cooks for about 5 minutes until it's no longer pink.
- Drain about 1/2 of the grease and then add spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until spinach is wilted.
- Add sauce, mix well, add dried herbs and mix and let simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add ricotta and 2 cups of mozzarella cheese to a small bowl and mix.
- Remove about 2/3 of the sauce from pan and add to a bowl, leaving about a 1/3 of it in the skillet.
- Add a layer of lasagna pieces then spread about 1/2 of the cheese over the noodles and top with 1/2 of the sauce in the bowl. Add another layer of lasagna pieces, the rest of the cheese, and then the rest of the sauce. Top with the 1/2 cup of remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover cast iron with lid or with aluminum foil and bake for 30-35 minutes.
- Top with fresh parsley or basil and serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust herb quantities to complement your chosen marinara sauce for balanced flavor.
- Fresh herbs can replace dried using about four times the amount for a fresher taste.
- Mix cottage cheese with ricotta or add Parmesan cheese to change the cheese profile.
- Try making it vegetarian by omitting ground beef and adding vegetables you prefer.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 460 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 460kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Cholesterol | 100mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 1043mg | 43% |
| Potassium | 773mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1935IU | 39% |
| Vitamin C | 13mg | 14% |
| Calcium | 486mg | 49% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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