The Best Lasagna With Cottage Cheese
Lasagna with Cottage Cheese is an easy comfort-food dinner layered with hearty meat sauce, tender pasta, creamy cottage cheese, and plenty of melted mozzarella. Ready in just over an hour, this family-friendly recipe is perfect for Sunday dinners, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
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🍽️ Recipe Name: Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
⏲️ Ready In: 1 hour 5 minutes
👥 Serves: 8
🔥 Calories: 513 per serving (estimated)
🥕 Ingredient Highlights: Lasagna noodles, ground beef, cottage cheese, mozzarella & marinara sauce
📖 Dietary Info: Contains gluten, dairy, and egg
👩🍳 Difficulty: Easy
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Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Assemble: Simple ingredients and easy layering make this a great recipe for both beginner and experienced cooks.
- I Love Using Cottage Cheese: It creates a lighter texture while still giving you the creamy layers everyone expects from homemade lasagna.
- Perfect for Leftovers: The flavors become even better the next day, making this a great meal-prep recipe.
- Hearty Enough for Any Occasion: This lasagna is just as fitting for a casual weeknight dinner as it is for family gatherings or holidays.
If you’re looking for more comforting dinner recipes, my Artichoke Chicken Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce is a creamy pasta that’s easy enough for busy weeknights. My Marry Me Salmon makes an impressive dinner with a rich, flavorful sauce, while Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese is another cheesy comfort food recipe that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Lasagna with Cottage Cheese Recipe Ingredients
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and exact measurements.
- Lasagna Noodles: Traditional lasagna noodles create sturdy layers that hold the filling together. Cook them just until al dente so they don’t become too soft while baking.
- Ground Beef: Adds protein and flavor to your sauce.
- Olive Oil: Used to soften the onions before browning the meat.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the meat sauce. I like to use yellow onions for cooking.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the sauce rich savory flavor. Jarred garlic would also work.
- Marinara Sauce: Your favorite jarred or homemade marinara works well in this recipe.
- Cottage Cheese: Creates a creamy filling that bakes into soft, delicious layers without feeling heavy.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into gooey, cheesy layers throughout the lasagna.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty flavor to the cottage cheese mixture.
- Egg: Helps bind the cottage cheese filling so it slices neatly after baking.
- Dried Basil: Adds classic Italian flavor.
- Dried Oregano: Complements the basil and meat sauce.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use Italian Sausage: Replace the ground beef with Italian sausage for extra flavor.
- Add Spinach: Stir chopped fresh spinach into the cottage cheese mixture for added vegetables.
- Use Ground Turkey: Ground turkey makes a lighter version while still creating a hearty meal.
- Add Extra Cheese: Mix provolone or fontina into the mozzarella for even cheesier layers.
How to Make Easy Lasagna with Cottage Cheese(Step-by-Step Directions)
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
STEP 2: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion until softened, then add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds before adding the marinara sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.
STEP 3: In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
STEP 4: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
STEP 5: Layer noodles, cottage cheese mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat until all ingredients have been used, finishing with meat sauce and mozzarella.
STEP 6: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
STEP 7: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for Making Beef Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
- Drain Excess Grease: Remove excess grease after browning the meat so the lasagna isn’t oily.
- Cook the Noodles Al Dente: Slightly firm noodles continue cooking in the oven without becoming mushy.
- Cover with Foil First: Covering the pan helps the lasagna heat evenly before browning the cheese.
- Let It Rest: Resting for at least 10 minutes helps the layers stay together when sliced.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making the Best Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
- Overcooking the Noodles: Soft noodles can become mushy after baking.
- Skipping the Rest Time: Cutting too soon causes the layers to slide apart.
- Using Too Little Sauce: Plenty of sauce keeps the noodles moist while baking.
- Forgetting to Season the Cottage Cheese: The filling needs seasoning to give every layer plenty of flavor.
How to Store
- Storage: Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Wrap individual portions tightly or freeze the entire baked lasagna for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat covered in a 350°F oven until warmed through, or microwave individual slices in 30-second intervals.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this lasagna with Homemade Garlic Bread to soak up every bit of the savory sauce. Add a side of Sautéed Broccoli Rabe for a classic Italian-inspired vegetable, then finish the meal with Italian Ricotta Cookies for an easy homemade dessert.
Lasagna with Cottage Cheese FAQs
Yes, the ricotta works well as a substitute for the cottage cheese.
If your cottage cheese seems very watery, draining off a little excess liquid can help keep the filling thick.
Yes. Assemble the lasagna up to one day in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Ground beef and Italian sausage both work well. You can even use half of each for extra flavor.
Other Italian Recipes to Try
- My Italian Grinder Sandwich with Grinder Dressing is loaded with meats, cheese, and a flavorful homemade dressing for an easy lunch or dinner.
- Homemade Marinara Sauce is perfect for pasta, meatballs, and all of your favorite Italian recipes.
- Crockpot Italian Meatballs are slow cooked until tender and make a great meal with pasta or sandwiches.
- Italian Breadsticks are soft, buttery, and perfect for serving alongside soups, salads, and pasta dishes.
- My Italian Sausage Zucchini Galette with Ricotta combines a flaky, buttery crust with savory sausage, fresh zucchini, and creamy ricotta for an easy dinner that’s perfect any time of year.
Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
Equipment
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until softened.
- Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the marinara sauce and stir to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce over the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread one-third of the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
- Spoon one-third of the meat sauce over the cottage cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle one-third of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce.
- Repeat the layers two more times, ending with the remaining meat sauce and the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Cover While Baking: Covering the lasagna during the first part of baking prevents the cheese from browning too quickly and helps it cook evenly.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing so the layers have time to set and hold together.
- Meat Options: Use ground beef, Italian sausage, or a combination of both for a rich, flavorful filling.
Nutrition Information
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Final Thoughts
This homemade lasagna is a comforting family dinner that’s packed with hearty meat sauce, creamy cheese layers, and plenty of melted mozzarella. It’s simple enough for weeknight meals but special enough for holidays and gatherings. Once you try this easy lasagna with cottage cheese recipe, it’s sure to earn a spot in your regular dinner rotation.
