How to Make Lasagna on the Stove

Lasagna is typically cooked in the oven, but that’s not the only way you can make it. Find out how to make lasagna on the stove and you will have a brand new way of making this tasty dinner. Even if you have only made baked lasagna recipes before you will find this really easy. Because only one pan is used, it makes the washing up easier as well.

Stovetop Lasagna Secret Ingredients

Ground beef is the main ingredient in this stovetop lasagna recipe, along with lasagna noodles. Italian sausage adds another meaty flavor to the recipe and you also need your favorite tomato sauce.

The topping is made with cottage cheese, egg, parsley, and parmesan. This is just as good (or better!) than using a bottle of béchamel sauce. Finally, you will need onion, bell pepper and shredded cheese to make this dish.

Let’s See How Easy It Is!

You will be pleasantly surprised to discover how simple this lasagna is to put together. First of all you will cook the beef with the onion and bell pepper. Since the whole lasagna is made in this pan, choose a large, deep skillet.

Mix in the pasta sauce and noodles with some water and cook for 20 minutes. After that, the topping is added along with shredded cheese and then it will take another 10 minutes. See? I told you it was simple!

Why Everyone Loves Lasagna

This classic Italian dish is a favorite among so many people. The tender layers of pasta, creamy béchamel sauce and meaty tomato sauce are finished off with melted cheese on top. There is literally nothing not to love about this famous Italian dish.

Lasagna has many variations. There are vegetarian and even vegan versions. Have you ever tried a salmon and spinach lasagna or a Tex-Mex style lasagna with Mexican blend cheese and a hint or spice? When making your own homemade lasagna recipes, you are in charge of all the ingredients so omit whatever you want and make any substitutions you prefer.

Tips for Making Perfect Lasagna

They say a recipe is only as good as the ingredients used to make it. In this lasagna recipe, the beef, sausage and pasta sauce are perhaps the most prominent ingredients. Choose good quality beef, perhaps 85 or 90% lean as well as a good quality sausage. If you prefer not to use sausage you can just use half a pound extra ground beef instead.

You can use any tomato-based pasta sauce for this recipe. Perhaps you love a garlic tomato sauce or one with Italian herbs. The choice is completely yours. As for the lasagna noodles, it’s best to break those into pieces so they can be submerged under the liquid and cook evenly. Of course if you prefer pasta shapes, perhaps penne or bowtie shapes, you can sub those instead.

When cooking the lasagna, bear in mind when the lasagna noodles are cooked, you can add the cheese on top and then just give it another 10 minutes on the stove. Use a clear glass lid on the pan and you can watch the lasagna cook.

Are you a garlic fan? If you are and you aren’t using a garlicky tomato sauce, you can add a couple minced garlic cloves when you sauté the meat. Garlic is always great in pasta recipes so add as much as you wish.

What do you need to make Lasagna on the Stove

1 pound ground beef

1 cup water

½ pound ground Italian sausage

1 jar tomato-based pasta sauce

12 ounces cottage cheese

1 large egg

½ cup shredded parmesan

¼ cup minced yellow onion

6 lasagna noodles

2 cups shredded Italian style cheese

1 chopped green bell pepper

1 tablespoon dried parsley

How to Make Lasagna on the Stove

FIRST STEP

Sauté the beef with the onion and bell pepper in a skillet until the meat is browned.

Drain off any excess fat.

SECOND STEP

Turn the heat down then add the water and spaghetti sauce.

a)

b)

Break the noodles into pieces and add those.

THIRD STEP

Stir the mixture and cover with a lid.

Cook for 20 minutes.

FOURTH STEP

Combine the egg, parsley, parmesan and cottage cheese in a bowl.

a)

b)

c)

Spread this over the meat mixture in the skillet.

FIFTH STEP

Sprinkle the cheese on top.

Cover again with a lid and cook for 10 more minutes.

Enjoy!

Fun Lasagna Facts

The word lasagna used to refer not to the recipe but to the dish it was baked in (very much like how the word casserole technically refers to the cooking vessel). The earliest known recipe dates back to the 1200s which is before tomatoes were even known in Europe so it wouldn’t be the same as today’s versions.

If you love lasagna as much as Garfield the cat, the following recipe is going to be a real treat for you!

What to Serve with Stovetop Lasagna

Lasagna is something of a meal in itself, as it combines pasta, meat and vegetables. However, there are some great side dish ideas for lasagna if you want to rustle up some sides. Garlic bread goes especially well with homemade lasagna or, if you don’t want those extra carbs, how about a simple green salad on the side? That goes with pretty much any pasta-based dish.

Other side dish options include steamed broccoli or green beans. Garlic spinach is another idea. If you just want to serve the lasagna as it is though, sides aren’t required.