Description
Creamy cottage cheese lasagna brings Italian comfort straight to your dinner table, layering rich flavors with simple ingredients. Cheesy pasta lovers will savor each delightful bite of this hearty, easy-to-make classic that promises warmth and satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
Meat Sauce Base:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 ounces / 680 grams) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes, drained
Seasoning and Oils:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Filling:
- 3 cups cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Lasagna Components:
- 9–12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Extra Parmesan for topping (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, sauté minced garlic with ground beef until the meat turns a rich, golden brown. Carefully drain away any excess fat, then incorporate marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer and develop flavors for 10-15 minutes, creating a robust meat sauce.
- Prepare the creamy cottage cheese filling by whisking together cottage cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, a pinch of salt, and a dash of pepper until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated.
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Craft the lasagna layers by spreading a thin base of meat sauce across the bottom of the prepared dish. Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles, then generously spread half of the cottage cheese mixture. Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese over the top. Repeat the layering process: meat sauce, noodles, remaining cottage cheese mixture, and mozzarella. Complete the dish with a final layer of noodles, topped with the remaining meat sauce, a blanket of mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavor.
- Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Once removed from the oven, allow the lasagna to rest for 10-15 minutes. This crucial resting period helps the layers set and makes slicing much easier, ensuring perfect portions with each serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, healthier protein option that maintains rich flavor.
- Drain cottage cheese thoroughly using a cheesecloth to prevent excess liquid from making the lasagna watery and ensure a firmer texture.
- Use no-boil lasagna noodles to simplify preparation and reduce overall cooking time without compromising the classic layered structure.
- Experiment with herb variations like fresh basil or oregano instead of dried parsley to enhance the aromatic profile and add a vibrant freshness to the dish.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg