Description
This Baked Cottage Cheese Lasagna is a comforting, hearty, and family-friendly dish layered with savory meat sauce, creamy cottage cheese, and melty mozzarella. It’s the perfect blend of indulgent flavor and lightened-up ingredients. Whether you’re planning quick dinner ideas or make-ahead meals, this easy recipe delivers everything you want in a cozy baked meal. Great for easy dinner, food ideas for gatherings, or healthy snack-style leftovers!
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef or Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 lasagna noodles (oven-ready or pre-boiled)
2 cups cottage cheese
1 large egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons dried parsley (optional)
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15–20 minutes until thickened.
4. In a bowl, mix cottage cheese, beaten egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan, a pinch of salt, and parsley if using. Set aside.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
6. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the dish. Add a layer of noodles, then cheese mixture, then mozzarella. Repeat layers until the dish is full, finishing with sauce, mozzarella, and remaining Parmesan on top.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
8. Remove foil and bake an additional 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
9. Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Let the lasagna rest before slicing to prevent slipping layers.
Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms for a veggie twist.
Use ricotta instead of cottage cheese if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: lasagna, baked lasagna, easy dinner, cottage cheese, comfort food