Description
A cozy one-pot Hamburger Helper style lasagna made from scratch with ground beef, tomato sauce, tender pasta, and plenty of melted cheese for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (85–90% lean)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 12 oz short cut pasta (mini lasagna noodles or mafalda)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach (optional)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
- 1 cup diced zucchini (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no pink remains.
- Stir in diced onion and minced garlic and cook until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth and stir to combine with the beef mixture.
- Add Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper and stir well.
- Stir in the pasta, making sure most of the pieces are submerged in the liquid.
- If using spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini, stir them into the skillet with the pasta.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cover and simmer, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened, about 12–15 minutes.
- Remove the lid and stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan until melted and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Let the skillet rest for 3–5 minutes to set slightly before serving warm.
Notes
- Cook the pasta just to al dente if you plan to freeze leftovers so it does not become too soft.
- Add optional vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini to boost nutrition and flavor.
- Use gluten free pasta and gluten free broth if you need a gluten free version.
- Substitute ground turkey and reduce the cheese for a lighter, lower calorie skillet lasagna.
- Add a splash of broth or water when reheating leftovers to loosen the sauce and keep it creamy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
- Cholesterol: 95