Before You Begin:
Prepare and gather your cookware and ingredients before starting. Cooking times and results may vary depending on your stove, skillet size, and ingredient thickness.
Cook the Meat
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook ground beef or sausage about 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart, until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
Cook Aromatics
Add diced onion and garlic. Cook for about 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant.
Simmer Sauce
Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Reduce heat and simmer 10–15 minutes until slightly thickened.
Start Layering
Spread a thin layer of sauce across the bottom of the skillet. Break noodles as needed and arrange in a single layer.
Add Cheese Layer
Spread half the ricotta over noodles. Sprinkle with a portion of mozzarella and Parmesan if using.
Repeat Layers
Add more sauce, another noodle layer, remaining ricotta, and more mozzarella.
Final Layer
Top with remaining sauce and final mozzarella.
Cook Covered
Cover the skillet and cook over medium-low heat for about 25–30 minutes, or until the noodles are tender when pierced with a fork and the cheese is fully melted. Stirring is not necessary during cooking. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer and prevent sticking.
Rest and Serve
Remove from heat and let rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish if desired and serve warm.
