Cheesy Garlic Bread Lasagna Skillet (Print Version)

Buttery garlic bread cubes layered with seasoned meat sauce and melted cheeses, all baked to golden perfection in one skillet.

# What You'll Need:

→ Garlic Bread Cubes

01 - 1 large baguette or Italian loaf, cut into 2-inch cubes
02 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Lasagna Filling

06 - 1 pound ground beef, Italian sausage, or plant-based alternative
07 - 1 small onion, diced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 24 fluid ounces marinara sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
14 - 1 large egg
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
02 - In a large bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, and salt. Toss the bread cubes until evenly coated. Set aside.
03 - Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and onion; cook until beef is browned and onion is softened, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat.
04 - Stir in minced garlic, marinara sauce, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
05 - In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, and Parmesan until smooth.
06 - Remove half of the meat sauce from the skillet and set aside.
07 - Layer half of the garlic bread cubes over the remaining sauce in the skillet. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the bread cubes, then sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella.
08 - Spoon the reserved meat sauce over the cheese. Layer with remaining bread cubes, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella.
09 - Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until cheese is bubbling and the top is golden brown.
11 - Cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes fancy enough to serve guests but comes together faster than you'd think.
  • One skillet means less cleanup, which honestly matters when you're hungry.
  • The bread cubes get crispy on top and soft underneath, giving you two textures in every bite.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the fat from the meat—too much grease makes the bread soggy and the whole thing heavy rather than satisfying.
  • If your oven runs hot, the cheese may brown too quickly while the center stays cold; tent with foil if needed and bake a few minutes longer at a lower temp.
03 -
  • Use a cast-iron skillet that's been properly seasoned; the nonstick quality prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier than you'd expect.
  • Shred your own mozzarella from a block rather than using pre-shredded—it melts into a glossy, cohesive layer instead of turning grainy and separated.
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