Simple Skillet Baked Pasta Recipe

This simple skillet baked lasagna is a cozy, weeknight-friendly twist on the classic Italian favorite, delivering all the rich flavors of traditional lasagna without the layering fuss. Made with hearty ground beef, your favorite marinara sauce, and a generous helping of gooey mozzarella, it’s built around short-cut pasta like rigatoni or penne for easy mixing and baking. After simmering the meat sauce and folding in perfectly al dente noodles, the dish is finished with a blanket of melted cheese in the oven, creating a bubbly, golden top that’s irresistibly comforting. Whether you’re using gluten-free pasta or sticking with the classic, this one-pan wonder is sure to satisfy.

Simple Skillet Baked Pasta

Recipe by: Maria Hensinger | Stillwood Kitchen

US Wellness Meats Shopping List – 85% Lean Ground Beef | Raw Grass-Fed Mozzarella Cheese

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 1 hour

Serves: 5

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Beef Add to Cart
• 3/4 – 1 lb Pasta, regular or gluten-free (use a short-cut pasta such as rigatoni, penne, fusilli etc.)
• 24 oz Marinara Sauce (use your favorite)
• 8 oz Mozzarella, shredded

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F
2. In a large stockpot, bring water to a boil and add a small handful of salt.
3. While the water is boiling, grab a large, somewhat deep saute pan and fry the ground beef until it’s no longer pink. Drain the fat and return the pan to the burner.
4. Add the marinara sauce to the cooked ground beef. If the sauce seems too thick, add ½ c of water to the sauce jar, swirl it around, then add it to the ground beef. Cover and simmer for about 20 min.
5. Once pasta water is boiling, cook the pasta to package directions for al dente.
6. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the sauce or meat, mixing well.
7. Sprinkle a small handful of mozzarella cheese over the pasta and gently mix it in. Then sprinkle more mozzarella on top of pasta.
8. Bake in the oven for about 20 min or until the cheese is melted.

Chef’s Notes

This tastes great whether you are using gluten-free or regular pasta. The amount of cheese you add depends on how cheesy you want it.

Thanks to Chef Maria Hensinger of Stillwood Kitchen for this cozy, one-pan pasta bake! Perfect for a busy weeknight, it’s everything you love about lasagna—minus the layering. Craving more comforting recipes? Visit our Discover Blog for more delicious ideas.