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
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Once the meat is browned and no longer pink, drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- 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
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, eggs, and Parmesan cheese.
- Stir in 2 cups of the shredded mozzarella.
- Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
3. Cook the Lasagna Noodles (If Using Boiled Noodles)
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the noodles according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and rinse with cold water. Lay them flat to prevent sticking.
4. Assemble the Lasagna
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add a single layer of lasagna noodles.
- Spread ⅓ of the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
- Add ⅓ of the meat sauce over the cheese layer.
- Repeat the layers two more times, ending with a final layer of noodles and meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
5. Bake the Lasagna
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- 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