Description
Baked Cottage Cheese Lasagna is a cozy, cheesy, protein-packed dinner that brings tender pasta layers, rich meat sauce, creamy cottage cheese filling, and golden mozzarella together in one easy recipe. This family-friendly baked pasta is perfect for easy dinner nights, comfort food ideas, meal prep, Sunday dinner, and hearty food ideas when you want something warm, filling, and satisfying.
Ingredients
12 lasagna noodles
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground beef
2 tablespoons tomato paste
24 ounces marinara sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
2 cups cottage cheese
1 large egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain, rinse lightly, and lay them flat so they do not stick.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease if needed.
6. Stir in tomato paste, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, half the salt, and half the black pepper. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes.
7. In a bowl, mix cottage cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, remaining salt, and remaining black pepper until combined.
8. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.
9. Add a layer of noodles, then spread on part of the cottage cheese mixture, sprinkle with mozzarella, and spoon meat sauce over the top.
10. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with meat sauce and mozzarella on top.
11. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
12. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until bubbling and golden on top.
13. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Notes
For a smoother filling, blend the cottage cheese briefly before mixing it with the egg and Parmesan.
Let the lasagna rest before slicing so the layers set and the pieces come out clean.
If assembling ahead, refrigerate the unbaked lasagna for up to 24 hours and add 10 extra minutes to the covered baking time.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Baked Cottage Cheese Lasagna, cottage cheese lasagna, easy dinner, baked pasta, family dinner, comfort food, lasagna recipe, meal prep dinner