One Pot Ground Turkey and Spinach Lasagna Recipe
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This one-pot ground turkey spinach lasagna is a simple comfort food dinner that brings all the flavor of classic lasagna without the extra work. It’s made with lean ground turkey, spinach, zesty tomato sauce, and melty cheese in one pan for less cleanup. Comforting, hearty, and practical for busy nights, this is the kind of meal that you will want in your dinner rotation.
Refreshed April 2026
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Lasagna is one of our favorites, but the classic version can take a while to make. I like this skillet lasagna because it skips the extra steps of cooking the noodles and layering everything in a baking dish, yet it keeps all the comforting cheesy flavor you love. It all cooks in one pan, so dinner gets on the table faster and cleanup is a lot easier.
Skillet Lasagna Highlights
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Total Time: 40 Minutes
Serves: 2 to 3
- Easy Lasagna Night: Made in one pan with lean turkey, spinach, noodles, ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella for an easy, hearty dinner.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground turkey – Lean and flavorful. You can swap in ground chicken, ground beef, sausage or leave it out for a vegetarian version.
- Lasagna noodles – Regular uncooked lasagna noodles work best. Skip thin no-boil lasagna noodles, since they do not hold up as well. Whole wheat is my top choice, but white pasta works too. You can also use other pasta shapes like penne, ziti, bowties, or cavatappi.
- Tomatoes – I prefer canned crushed tomatoes and add my own seasoning. You can also use pasta sauce, or marinara. If you use a seasoned sauce, reduce or skip the Italian seasoning.
- Spinach – Fresh spinach works best, I like baby spinach becasue it is tender. Frozen spinach is fine too; just thaw and drain it well so the lasagna doesn’t not get watery.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder works in its place.
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How to Make One-Pot Turkey Spinach Lasagna
- Prepare: Chop the garlic and heat olive oil in a large skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat, break the lasagna noodles in half.
- Cook the turkey: Brown the ground turkey in a hot, large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s mostly cooked through, stir in the garlic and cook unitl it starts to soften.
- Cook the noodles: Add the broken lasagna noodles and pour in the water. Cover the pan and let it simmer until the noodles are tender.
- Add Cheese & spinach: Spoon in the ricotta, then add the tomato sauce and fresh spinach. Cover again and cook for a few minutes, just until the spinach wilts.
- Melt the cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top. Cover the pan and it cook until the cheese is melted.
How to Make it Your Way
If you are looking for a delicious spin on this great recipe, here are some suggestions. Feel free to adjust the ingredients and seasoning according to your taste preferences.
- Mushroom Boost – Add sliced mushrooms with the ground turkey for extra savory flavor and hearty texture. One combo I like is mushrooms + spinach + turkey.
- Richer Flavor – Replace some or all of the ground turkey with Italian sausage for a bolder, more robust taste.
- Vegetarian Style – Skip the turkey and sauté zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach for a vegetable-packed version.
- Tex-Mex Twist – Season the turkey with taco seasoning and add black beans and chopped jalapeños. Layer with the cheese and sauce for a fun southwest-style spin. you can even swap the pasta with tortillas.
- Turn Up the Heat – Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
How to Store Leftover Lasagna
This recipe is so good, that you might want to make extra for lunch or dinner the next day, and it’s easy to store. Just make sure you let it cool down to room temperature before storing it.
Once it has cooled off, place the leftover lasagna in an airtight container and into the refrigerator, where it will last for 3 to 4 days. Reheat the lasagna in the oven at 350 degrees or in the microwave.
Lasagna can be frozen for up to 6 months. Place the room-temperature lasagna into a freezer-safe container.
If you’ve doubled or tripled this recipe and have a large batch of leftover lasagna, consider freezing it in portions for easy reheating. Thaw leftovers in the refrigerator or you can reheat it directly from frozen.
What to Serve with Lasagna
When it comes to serving spinach turkey lasagna, pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate this great meal.
A fresh and vibrant side salad like a kale ceaesar salad or azesty arugula salad is perfect. It also pairs well with a side of roasted broccoli or roasted vegetables.
Craving more easy ground turkey ideas? Don’t miss my complete guide to ground turkey recipes—it’s packed with simple, flavorful dinners for every night of the week. Check them out here.
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Turkey Spinach Lasagna
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/2 pound Ground Turkey
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 clove Garlic
- 6 Lasagna Noodles or 4 ounces dry pasta
- 3/4 cup Ricotta Cheese
- 1 cup Water
- 1 cup Tomatoes (canned) diced, crushed or marinara sauce
- 3 ounces Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 4 ounces Fresh Spinach
Instructions
- PREPARE: chop 1 clove Garlic, and heat 1 tablespoon Olive Oil over medium-high break 6 Lasagna Noodles in half and set aside.
- Once the oil in the skillet is hot, add 1/2 pound Ground Turkey and cook for about 5 minutes; add the chopped garlic and 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning; cook until it starts to turn soft; about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium heat; add the 1 cup Water to the skillet and place the broken lasagna noodles on top of the turkey and garlic. Cook for 10 minutes until the noodles are al dente and the water is almost absorbed.
- Remove the cover from the pan and scatter the garlic and turkey mixture around the skillet. Pour 1/2 cup of tomatoes or sauce 3/4 cup Ricotta Cheese on top of the lasagna noodles; top with 4 ounces Fresh Spinach. Cover and cook on low heat for a few minutes until the spinach wilts.
- Add the remaining sauce and sprinkle with 3 ounces Mozzarella Cheese, cover and cook until the cheese melts; garnish with fresh herbs and serve.
Video
Notes
- The spinach may add too much moisture to the pasta, if it does, carefully drain the water from the pan before adding the remaining sauce.
- Use a large enough skillet to comfortably hold all of the ingredients without overcrowding, which allows for even cooking. A large high-sided skillet works the best.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
Ground Turkey Skillet Lasagna Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prep part of it ahead. Cook the turkey, garlic, and noodles first, then refrigerate them for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, add the spinach, sauce, and cheese, then heat until hot throughout.
You can. Cottage cheese works in place of ricotta, and Parmesan or provolone can replace some or all of the mozzarella, depending on the flavor and texture you want.
Yes, other pasta shapes can work in this recipe. Penne, ziti, bowties, or cavatappi are good options, but cooking time may change a bit depending on the shape.
Drain thawed frozen spinach well before adding it. If the spinach adds too much liquid during cooking, carefully drain some water from the pan before adding the remaining sauce.
