Mediterranean Skillet Lasagna with Cottage Cheese (Pastitsio-Inspired)
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.
- Prep Time: 10 MINS
- Cook Time: 30 MINUTES
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 SERVINGS 1x
- Category: Dinner, DINNER | ONE PAN
- Method: ONE POT, SKILLET, STOVETOP
- Cuisine: Greek, MEDITERRANEAN INSPIRED
Ingredients
Mediterranean Meat Sauce
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1 lb ground beef or lamb
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1 small onion, diced
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes
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1 teaspoon cinnamon
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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½ teaspoon smoked paprika
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¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
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Salt and pepper to taste
Skillet Lasagna
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8 lasagna noodles, broken into large pieces
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2 cups water or broth
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1 cup cottage cheese
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1 cup shredded mozzarella
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¼ cup grated parmesan
Garnish
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Fresh parsley
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Fresh mint
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Extra parmesan
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat.
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Add the ground beef or lamb and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
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Stir in the diced onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened.
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Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Stir in marinara sauce, cinnamon, oregano, smoked paprika, and nutmeg. Simmer for about 5 minutes so the flavors develop.
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Mix in the fresh mint and season with salt and pepper.
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Break the lasagna noodles into large pieces and stir them into the sauce.
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Pour in the water or broth and stir gently.
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Cover the skillet and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender.
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Dollop cottage cheese across the top of the pasta.
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Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan.
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Cover again and cook for 3–4 minutes until the cheese melts.
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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.