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Lasagna Recipe with Cottage Cheese

Easy Lasagna Recipe with Cottage Cheese – Family Favorite


  • Author: Ariarecipes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 servings 1x

Description

This easy and delicious lasagna recipe swaps traditional ricotta for protein-packed cottage cheese, creating a lighter and creamier dish. Perfect for a family dinner, this lasagna is layered with a rich meat sauce, a three-cheese blend, and perfectly cooked noodles. Serve with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal!


Ingredients

Scale

For the Meat Sauce:

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano

For the Cheese Layer:

  • 16 oz cottage cheese (full-fat, drained)
  • 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)

For the Lasagna Layers:

  • 9 lasagna noodles (boiled or no-boil)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart as it cooks.
  2. Once the meat is browned and no longer pink, drain any excess fat.
  3. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the marinara sauce, then season with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Let simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.

2. Prepare the Cheese Mixture

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, eggs, and Parmesan cheese.
  2. Stir in 2 cups of the shredded mozzarella.
  3. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.

3. Cook the Lasagna Noodles (If Using Boiled Noodles)

  1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the noodles according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Drain and rinse with cold water. Lay them flat to prevent sticking.

4. Assemble the Lasagna

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  3. Add a single layer of lasagna noodles.
  4. Spread ⅓ of the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
  5. Add ⅓ of the meat sauce over the cheese layer.
  6. Repeat the layers two more times, ending with a final layer of noodles and meat sauce.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.

5. Bake the Lasagna

  1. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
  3. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Make-Ahead Option: Assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate before baking.
  • Freezing: Store unbaked lasagna in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
  • Vegetarian Option: Swap the ground meat for sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or plant-based crumbles.
  • Prevent Watery Lasagna: Drain the cottage cheese, use thick marinara sauce, and let the lasagna rest before cutting.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of lasagna)
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 750mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: lasagna with cottage cheese, easy lasagna recipe, healthy lasagna, cheesy lasagna, homemade lasagna