Name: Mediterranean Skillet Lasagna with Cottage Cheese (Pastitsio-Inspired)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef or lamb; 1 small onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional); 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint; Salt and pepper to taste; 8 lasagna noodles, broken into large pieces; 2 cups water or broth; 1 cup cottage cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella; ¼ cup grated parmesan; Fresh parsley; Fresh mint; Extra parmesan

Description

This cozy skillet lasagna features broken lasagna noodles simmered in a rich Mediterranean meat sauce flavored with garlic, cinnamon, oregano, and fresh mint. Finished with creamy cottage cheese and melted mozzarella, it’s an easy one-pan dinner inspired by Greek pastitsio.

Ingredients

Scale

Mediterranean Meat Sauce

1 lb ground beef or lamb
1 small onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Salt and pepper to taste

Skillet Lasagna

8 lasagna noodles, broken into large pieces
2 cups water or broth
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella
¼ cup grated parmesan

Garnish

Fresh parsley
Fresh mint
Extra parmesan

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat.
Add the ground beef or lamb and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Stir in the diced onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened.
Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in marinara sauce, cinnamon, oregano, smoked paprika, and nutmeg. Simmer for about 5 minutes so the flavors develop.
Mix in the fresh mint and season with salt and pepper.
Break the lasagna noodles into large pieces and stir them into the sauce.
Pour in the water or broth and stir gently.
Cover the skillet and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender.
Dollop cottage cheese across the top of the pasta.
Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan.
Cover again and cook for 3–4 minutes until the cheese melts.
Garnish with fresh parsley, mint, and extra parmesan before serving.

Notes

Use whole milk cottage cheese for the creamiest texture. Ground lamb gives the dish a more authentic pastitsio flavor, but beef works great too. Fresh mint brightens the rich sauce.

Prep Time: 10 MINS
Cook Time: 30 MINUTES
Category: Dinner, DINNER | ONE PAN
Method: ONE POT, SKILLET, STOVETOP
Cuisine: Greek, MEDITERRANEAN INSPIRED