One Pan Sausage Lasagna

This one-pan sausage lasagna is a comforting, no-fuss meal that delivers all the cheesy, saucy goodness of traditional lasagna without the hassle of layering. This recipe delivers the same hearty flavours and textures but cuts down on time and effort. All thanks to a rich sausage ragu, a clever cheat’s bechamel, and fresh lasagna sheets that go straight into the sauce.

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• This One-Pan Lasagna Doesn’t Skimp on Flavour
• The Perfect Sausage Ragu: Building Layers of Flavour
• The Cheat’s Béchamel is a Game Changer
• Tips for Success
• One Pan Sausage Lasagna: A Versatile Dish for Any Occasion
• Final Thoughts on this One Pan Sausage Lasagna

Ingredient Breakdown

• Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds richness and depth to the ragu while helping brown the sausage meat.
• Pork sausage meat: Full of flavour, the sausage meat gives the lasagna its richness and meaty bite.
• Onion, carrot, celery: The classic soffritto base that builds the flavour foundation of the ragu. Grating them ensures they melt into the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds a bold aromatic punch that balances the richness of the sausage and tomato sauce.
• Rosemary: Fresh rosemary brings an earthy note that pairs beautifully with the sausage.
• Double concentrated tomato purée: Deepens the tomato flavour and gives the sauce a rich, intense base.
• Stock pots (chicken, beef, vegetable or wine): Adds depth of flavour and boosts the umami in the sauce.
• Crushed tomatoes: The backbone of the ragu, providing sweetness, acidity, and body to the sauce.
• Fresh lasagna sheets: These cook faster than dried sheets, making this a quicker dish.
• Mascarpone and whole milk: Creates a cheat’s béchamel, rich and creamy without the fuss of making a traditional roux-based sauce.
• Nutmeg: A tiny pinch of nutmeg adds a warm, aromatic undertone to the bechamel, complementing the cheesy richness.
• Parmigiano Reggiano: Adds a sharp, salty flavour to the topping, bringing depth to the dish.
• Low-moisture mozzarella: Melts beautifully over the top, giving that perfect golden, bubbling finish.

This One-Pan Lasagna Doesn’t Skimp on Flavour

One-pan dishes are a lifesaver when you want a hearty, comforting meal without the fuss. This One Pan Sausage Lasagna delivers everything you love about traditional lasagna—rich, saucy, cheesy layers—but without the hassle. The secret lies in a few key flavour hacks, starting with using sausage as the base of the ragu.

Unlike traditional mince, which is naturally bland and requires heavy seasoning, sausage meat comes packed with herbs and spices. It’s an ingredient that works overtime, delivering a complex mix of flavours with minimal effort on your part. Fennel, garlic, and a range of spices are often included in good-quality sausage meat, meaning the base of your ragu already has layers of seasoning.

The Perfect Sausage Ragu: Building Layers of Flavour

A great ragu is the backbone of any lasagna, and this sausage one doesn’t disappoint. It starts with browning the sausage meat. Don’t rush this step—you want to ensure the sausage gets golden and caramelised because the browning process adds huge depth of flavour to the ragu.

Once the sausage is browned, you add the soffritto—a mix of onion, carrot, and celery. These vegetables melt into the ragu as they cook, adding natural sweetness and richness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Garlic and rosemary go in next, adding layers of aromatic flavour.

Next comes the double concentrated tomato purée, which you’ll want to cook down until it darkens slightly. This step intensifies the tomato flavour, giving the sauce a deeper, more concentrated taste. Then you stir in the stock pots, good quality tinned tomatoes (I love Mutti’s polpa) and water, before adding the remaining ingredients to form your One Pan Sausage Lasagna.

The Cheat’s Béchamel is a Game Changer

One of the key components of traditional lasagna is a béchamel, but making it from scratch is time-consuming and requires constant whisking. This One Pan Sausage Lasagna uses a cheat’s béchamel that skips the roux, using mascarpone and milk instead. The mascarpone’s creaminess gives the sauce a rich, velvety texture, while the milk lightens it enough to pour easily over the lasagna.

It’s incredibly simple—just whisk mascarpone, milk, and a touch of nutmeg. The nutmeg adds a warm, subtle note that complements the sausage and cheese. Once baked, the béchamel combines with the mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano to form a golden, bubbling layer of cheesy goodness. It’s all the indulgence of traditional lasagna, but without the hassle.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Rush the Ragu: While this One Pan Sausage Lasagna recipe is designed to be fuss-free, don’t rush the process of browning the sausage meat. That’s where a lot of the depth of flavour comes from. Take the time to cook the meat until it’s well-browned and slightly caramelised before moving on to the next step. It’s worth the few extra minutes for the flavour payoff.
• Season Generously: You’ll notice that the recipe calls for the ragu to be very well seasoned before adding the lasagna sheets. This is because the pasta cooks directly in the sauce and will absorb the flavours as it softens. You want the sauce to be a bit saltier than you’d normally make it, as the pasta will mellow it out during cooking.
• Let It Rest: When the One Pan Sausage Lasagna comes out of the oven, it’s tempting to dig right in. But letting it rest for a few minutes allows the sauce to thicken slightly, making it easier to serve. Plus, it gives the flavours a moment to meld, creating an even more delicious bite.

One Pan Sausage Lasagna: A Versatile Dish for Any Occasion

This One Pan Sausage Lasagna is a fantastic option for those nights when you want something comforting but don’t have the time (or energy) to go all out. It’s also incredibly versatile. Swap out the pork sausage meat for chicken sausage, or even a plant-based option for a vegetarian version. You could throw in some spinach or kale between the lasagna sheets for an extra veggie boost, or change up the cheese topping based on what you have on hand.

And while this dish feels hearty enough to stand alone, it pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad or some garlicky bread on the side. The simplicity of the ingredients allows you to be creative with what you serve it with.

Final Thoughts on this One Pan Sausage Lasagna

At its heart, this One Pan Sausage Lasagna is all about delivering maximum comfort with minimal effort. By simplifying the traditional lasagna process and focusing on quality ingredients, you end up with a dish that feels like a hug on a plate, without the time commitment of a classic lasagna. It’s a one-pan wonder that’s bound to become a go-to recipe for any busy weeknight.

Enjoy the rich sausage ragu, tender lasagna sheets, and bubbling cheesy top – and feel good knowing you didn’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to get it! But if you happen to up for spending hours in the kitchen on a traditional ragu, why not try your hand at my Classic Lasagna, Brisket Ragu Lasagna or Roasted Vegetable Lasagna recipe?