Cheesy Garlic Bread Lasagna Skillet (Printable)

Classic lasagna flavors layered with garlic bread cubes, meat sauce, and melted cheese in a cast-iron skillet.

# What You Need:

→ Garlic Bread

01 - 1 large loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 14 oz)
02 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Meat Sauce

06 - 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
07 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
10 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese Mixture

15 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
16 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
17 - 1 large egg
18 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (optional)
19 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Additional Cheese

20 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F.
02 - In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes with melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, and salt until evenly coated. Set aside.
03 - Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Add chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Mix in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat.
06 - In a small bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, egg, chopped basil if using, and black pepper.
07 - Layer half the garlic bread cubes in the skillet over the meat sauce, then dollop half the ricotta mixture, sprinkle with half the mozzarella. Repeat with remaining bread, ricotta, and mozzarella.
08 - Cover skillet loosely with foil. Bake for 20 minutes.
09 - Remove foil and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
10 - Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra parsley or basil if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It combines three comfort foods (garlic bread, lasagna, and cheese) into one dish that actually gets easier the more you make it.
  • Your cast-iron skillet becomes the whole show, which means less cleanup and more time with people you actually want to be around.
  • The garlic bread cubes get crispy on the edges and creamy inside, absorbing all that meaty, cheesy goodness instead of sitting soggy on a plate.
02 -
  • Don't skimp on the resting time at the end—I learned this the hard way when I cut into it too early and watched all those beautiful layers slide across the plate in a disappointing puddle.
  • The meat sauce needs to cool slightly before you layer it with the bread, otherwise the heat will make those cubes absorb too much liquid and turn mushy instead of staying textured.
  • Using a proper cast-iron skillet isn't just for show—it distributes heat evenly and gives you those crispy edges that a regular baking dish can never replicate.
03 -
  • Cut your bread into uniform cubes so they cook evenly—random sizes mean some pieces get crispy while others stay soft, and consistency is what separates okay from actually delicious.
  • Don't drain all the fat from the browned beef; a little bit keeps the sauce rich and flavorful, so just drain the excessive pools that pool up.
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