Cheesy Garlic Bread Lasagna Skillet (Print Version)

Buttery garlic bread cubes layered with rich meat sauce and melted cheeses, baked in a cast-iron skillet for easy Italian-American comfort.

# Ingredient List:

→ Garlic Bread

01 - 1 large loaf Italian bread (about 14 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes
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
19 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Additional Cheese

20 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - In a large bowl, toss 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, basil, and black pepper.
07 - Layer half the garlic bread cubes over the meat sauce, then dollop half the ricotta mixture and 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.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like lasagna and garlic bread had the most delicious baby, all cooked together in one beautiful cast-iron skillet with zero fussy layering.
  • The crispy-edged bread cubes soak up the meat sauce while staying just chewy enough, creating this texture nobody expects but everyone craves.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time at the end, I learned this the hard way when I tried to serve it straight from the oven and ended up with a beautiful but impossible-to-plate situation.
  • The key to getting that crispy-edged bread instead of soggy bread is making sure your sauce is thick enough before you add the bread cubes, so don't skimp on that simmering time.
03 -
  • If your bread is too fresh and soft, slice it and let it sit out for a couple hours or lightly toast it first, otherwise it won't hold up to the sauce without turning to mush.
  • Shred your own mozzarella from a block instead of using pre-shredded if you can, it melts into this gorgeous, creamy layer instead of staying separate and clumpy.
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