At the risk of sounding like a really cheesy Marketing campaign, one of the more challenging things I’ve done of late is waiting through taking photos of this lasagna before diving in head first. I love lasagna and feel it is the quintessential cold-weather comfort food. I don’t make it a lot however because it takes forever to construct and to bake.
I discovered a wonderful alternative recipe for skillet lasagna and frankly was dubious. It seemed gimmicky and too good to be true. I was delighted however in the making that it transformed lasagna into an ‘any night meal’ by converting the regular two hour construction/baking commitment to more like 30-40 minutes total. No joke. And all the cooking is on the stove top.
I feel people should really make food their own. There is not enough time in life to eat food you don’t love. You can alter the ingredients for this recipe to make it work for you and even change it up every time you make it. Here are some suggestions:
Vegetarian: Replace the sausage with the same quantity of vegetables
Gluten Free: Use gluten free lasagna (I’ve used Tinkyada and DeBoles and like both)
Don’t Like Spicy: Use mild Italian Sausage and a regular Marinara sauce
Hate Vegetables: You could add more sausage and cheese to make up for it but the vegetables do help develop more flavor!
Not sure what vegetables to use: The original recipe called for 1 ½ cups of zucchini which I don’t love in lasagna and the original recipe was not spicy. I wanted to stick with winter vegetables but other ideas would include: grated carrots, eggplant, sweet peppers, and other types of squash.
Want a lower fat version: Use skim ricotta and part-skim mozzarella.
I will add I intended to use tomato sauce I canned for the recipe and was completely excited to find three Colorado local pasta sauce options at my neighborhood grocery store (Lucky’s Market in North Boulder). Spinelli’s and When In Rome… pasta sauces hail from the Denver area and Gilberto’s is from Ft. Collins. Still finding myself twitchy when buying such products from non-local sources, I was thrilled at the new options. I bagged the home-canned sauce for the Spinelli’s Roasted Garlic Fra Diavolo (for those unfamiliar with this sauce it is a spicy sauce that has tomatoes, garlic and chilies in it). It was great. I will note local sauces can be more expensive than mega producer’s sauce. There was a $2-$2.50 per bottle difference with the local sauces being more expensive. Usually these sources are much smaller scale, so you are really buying a food artisan product. It’s always a personal purchasing decision but I love that there are options for locavores. An additional ‘locavore nod’ to Lucky’s Market; they have begun specifically labeling local sources throughout their store (and have their own farm that feeds some of the produce they carry). Love that.
SPICY SKILLET LASAGNA
Adapted from Country Home magazine (2008)
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients:
· 6-7 dried lasagna noodles (gluten free or gluten-filled), broken into 2-3 inch segments
· 12 ounces bulk Italian Sausage (spicy or regular)
· ½ cup chopped yellow onion
· 1 ½ cups chopped vegetables: My choice:
o -1/2 cup packed loose spinach leaves, rinsed and torn
o -1/2 cup butternut squash puree (or fresh grated)
o -1/2 cup finely chopped mixed mushrooms
· 26 ounces Fra Diavolo (‘Brother Devil’) pasta sauce
· 1 cup ricotta cheese
· ¾ cup grated mozzarella or grated Italian blend cheese
· 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1. Boil lasagna according to the package details. Drain.
2. (While the lasagna noodles are boiling….) In a 12 inch skillet cook the sausage and onion over medium heat until the sausage is no longer pink. Break sausage up while cooking so it is in small pieces.
3. Add the vegetables and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they’ve begun to cook and are mixed fully with the sausage. Drain any fat and remove from skillet.
4. Pour 3 ounces of the pasta sauce into the bottom of the same skillet and spread to lightly coat.
5. Arrange half of the boiled lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
6. Cover with half of the remaining sauce (approximately 6 ½ ounces).
7. Spoon meat mixture evenly on top of the pasta sauce.
8. Spoon ricotta cheese over the meat mixture in small mounds and sprinkle with ¼ cup of the mozzarella cheese.
9. Place the remaining lasagna noodles on the cheese layer.
10. Top with remaining pasta sauce then mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan or Romano to top.
11. Over medium heat cook lasagna, covered, for approximately 10 minutes or until warmed through and cheese has melted. Remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes uncovered before serving.
Love the notion of lasagne on the stove top.
I love reading your blog–my husband and I plan to relocate to your area in a few years. I feel like I'm getting a sneak preview of everywhere to shop once we get there…no learning curve! Thanks
I'm so glad Susan! I think the hardest thing for me in moving has been 'resources'. Where to go to get what I want and need, and starting from scratch on that. Certainly on the food front it would be hard for me. I'm glad I am able to give some insights to make the transition easier for you.
Toni, you are correct. Just 40 minutes sounds to good to be true. We are big Lasagna fans, too. I will print the recipe to try. Thanks. Have a great day. Kirsten
I’d not lie to a Sister, Kirsten! I really feel this takes lasagna out of the ‘weekend only’ category of dishes to any night. Because everything is being pre-cooked before assembly and in parallel, it comes together quickly and is perfect. The only difference is the volume is not the same as a large baking pan. I also made it during the day and heated servings at night. A life saver.
beautiful images Toni! You need to think about writing a cookbook to showcase all of your gorgeous imagery, as well as thoughtfully created delicious dishes and beverages that you prepare for your blog.
You are too flattering, and for that I thank you!
Thank you for helping me decide what's for dinner tonight! I hope mines taste as good as yours look!
Oh good! I hope you will make it, love as much as I now do and also feel you don't have to allow 2 hours for lasagna unless you want to now!
Very cool recipe! I like the skillet lasagna idea. Your pictures are also great!
Thank you!
Looks fantastic, and I love the use of winter veggies and the cutting down on time
Great post!
Thank you Kiri. It's a great dish to switch up whatever vegetables are seasonal to use.
Whoa! I love this idea! It looks delicious too!!!
Thanks Katrina!
hmmm long time Toni! happy new year and happy new look. i was drawn in more by the pic here; am a sucker for rustic backgrounds and grunge look and vintage-(looking) any thing. you've been branching out so well. enjoyed the post and the lip smacking lasagne thoroughly!
Hi Thoma! Long time. I too share your draw to rustic, grunge and vintage! Hope all is going well with you and your family and that this will be a wonderful year for you all. Thanks for popping in!
those lasagne look amazing! I wish I could try them!
Well you can try it Pola! Knowing all the lovely things you whip up this would be a cinch for you.
This is wonderful. I adore skillet lasagna. It's nice to have quick options for italian meals. I adore your dedication and applaud you locavore ways.
Thank you Kim!
Love the pic didn't grow up on this dish but, I love it. Thanks for sharing
Well now is your chance to try a new lasagna that hopefully you will enjoy! Thanks for reading, commenting and your kind remarks!
Easy, quick lasagna—I'm there! Your pictures look awesome, too.
Thanks!
Golly, I soooo want to make lasagna now! It's usually an all day effort, but in a skillet, and on the stove instead of in the oven sounds like a good idea to me right about now.
I agree! My association preparing regular lasagna is like climbing uphill; takes for-ev-er. This really changes it all up. Plus I like the flexibility of adjusting the flavor profile by season or my mood!
I have loved watching the North Boulder Market or Lucky's improve over the years. It is a great neighborhood store. What a wondeful recipe. Thanks for sharing.
I feel the same about Lucky's. Honestly I was resistant to the change feeling North Boulder Mkt was a good well rounded market. However I've come full circle in my opinion. The dedication to local sourcing of everything, the associated farm that feeds into their produce, and the gourmet items; it's really a perfect neighborhood market now. I really try not to shop elsewhere.
You are so right, this recipe gives you all the flavored and textures you love about lasagna in a fraction of the time. Thank you for including the gluten-free option since I am currently avoiding wheat.
I'm so glad it provides you the options you need!
That looks fantastic!! Your photos are so beautiful! I am in awwww
It really is great (hope you'll make it!) and I thank you for your kind thoughts about the photos. I'm glad you like them. Thank YOU for reading and commenting.
I found this on Pinterest. Can't wait to try it *:)*
Oh Tiffany I'm so flattered. I find once on Pinterest it is a visual wonderland hard to tear away from so that fact you came to make a comment means alot!
I always try to buy local products like that. I use them much more sparingly though due to the price. I think it helps me savor the food all the more. I am a pretty traditional person when it comes to lasagna. This looks amaazing and I would be excited to have a recipe that is a little less time consuming.
I love that you shared what you have about local food, prices and savoring the food. I completely agree. When I really dove into local sourcing as my main way of eating Michael Pollan's thoughts about eating better, eating less really came to light. I do feel when you eat better quality food you find you actually don't need to eat as much. I also find a different appreciation for the food I buy from farmer's, that I've picked myself or canned etc. And I love that it makes me more mindful too.
Oh, gosh, I'm all in favor of a weeknight lasagna! YUM…so lovely and flavorful! Have a great weekend, Toni.
Thanks Lizzy. You too have a great weekend. Thanks for dropping by!
Lasagna can be made on the stovetop? That's a dream come true. We all love lasagna in my family, but sadly it is very time-consuming to make. I'd love to try this skillet version.
I agree on everything Nicole, from the surprise to the time consumption issue. Please do try and 'report back'. Rave reviews in my house.
This looks delicious! I am fighting hard to control my drooling!
Thanks Shumaila! It is really yummy. Have a great weekend!