Making lasagna does not have to be complicated. You can even skip the step of cooking your noodles! This easy lasagna recipe with Cottage Cheese comes together quickly but has a big comfort food flavor.
Growing up with a mom who had deep Italian roots meant lasagna was always a staple at our home. It was rich, comforting, and made with lots of love. While her traditional version simmers for hours, this easy Lasagna with cottage cheese brings all the flavor without all the extra work. I think my mom would approve!!
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Why Cottage Cheese is better than Ricotta Cheese
For this recipe, I love using cottage cheese because it has a fluffier texture. That means the lasagna does not feel overly heavy.
Cottage cheese packs a lot more protein than ricotta cheese, and it is lower in fat. This makes the lasagna a healthier option without sacrificing flavor.
Thirdly, I've often found that cottage cheese is less expensive than ricotta cheese! Win win!
Ingredients
to make Lasagna with Cottage Cheese, here's what you'll need
- Beef: This lasagna starts with ground beef
- Spaghetti Sauce: You can use your favorite store-bought marinara or a homemade Traditional Spaghetti Sauce!
- Eggs: This will help bind the cheese mixture together.
- Lasagna Noodles: You won't even need to cook them!
- Cottage Cheese: For the creamy texture that we all love.
- Salt and Italian Seasoning: For seasoning the cottage cheese mixture.
- Garlic Powder: Using garlic powder makes this recipe easier, but if you'd rather use minced fresh garlic, it's even better!
- Parmesan Cheese and Mozzarella Cheese: It's the perfect Italian cheese combo if you ask me! The mozzarella melts smoothly and is gooey, while the parmesan browns beautifully and adds a crisp, golden top to the lasagna.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Your Own Italian Seasoning
Italian seasoning is a blend of dried herbs with red pepper flakes. Here's a quick recipe to make your own! Combine all of the following:
- 2 tablespoon Dried Basil
- 2 tablespoon Dried Oregano
- 2 tablespoon Dried Parsley
- 1 tablespoon Dried Rosemary
- 1 tablespoon Dried Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (cut in ½ for less heat)
Italian Seasoning will be good for up to 6 months! Use it in pasta sauces, soups, over roasted vegetables, to season chicken or pork, on pizza, or sprinkled on garlic bread.
Step-by-Step Instructions
How to make A Lasagna with Cottage Cheese (the easy way!)
Everything you need to know is found in these easy-to-follow steps. There are just 3 parts to this recipe: Putting together the beef and sauce mixture, making your cottage cheese mixture, then building and baking! Let's dive into the details.
Cooking the Beef Mixture for Lasagna
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown ground beef in a large skillet (or pot) on medium-high heat. Break up the beef as it cooks. Once cooked, strain off excess grease.
- Add the spaghetti sauce to the browned meat, bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
Making the Cottage Cheese Mixture
- Place cottage cheese into a blender or food processor and blend until it's thick and smooth. This keeps the cottage cheese layer smooth as butter!
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and then mix in Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt.
Pro Tip: I always blend my cottage cheese to smooth out the texture and boost the flavor. This helps the cottage cheese to set more like the traditional ricotta cheese layer.
- Add in the smooth cottage cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and ½ cup of shredded parmesan cheese to the mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly.
Layering the lasagna
- Coat the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish with ½ cup of the meat sauce. Then, lay 3 noodles down side-by-side.
- Top the noodles with 2 cups worth of the cottage cheese mixture and smooth out evenly with a spatula.
- Place about 1 ¼ cups of the meat sauce on top of the cheese layer, then lay down 3 more uncooked lasagna noodles. Repeat a layer of remaining cottage cheese, a layer of ½ of the remaining meat sauce, and a 3rd layer of noodles.
- For the final layers, top the 3rd layer of noodles with the remaining meat mixture and then coat the top of the lasagna with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes. After 50 minutes, remove the foil and bake for a remaining 10 minutes to brown the cheese. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before serving so it will set and be easier to slice.
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Equipment and Supplies
This recipe is easy to make with just the right tools!
- Meat Masher - Great for separating meat so that it browns quicker. Much easier than a spatula!
- Large Glass Mixing Bowl - This bowl is quickly becoming my favorite!
- Whisk - Every kitchen needs a great whisk.
- 9 x 13 Baking Dish - I love this deep baking dish with a lid for easy storage of leftovers.
- Large Stock Pot - Hexclad Pots are the best on the market. Click the link for 10% off your next purchase.
Serving Ideas
How to Serve Lasagna
- Classic Serving
- Let it rest for 15 minutes before serving; this will help the slices hold their shape.
- Serve with a simple green salad and crusty Italian bread.
- Fun and Creative Serving Ideas
- You can bake the lasagna in a round pan, let it set, and cut it into pizza-style wedges.
Variations and Additions
Possible Swaps
- You can swap the traditional lasagna noodles for zucchini for a low-carb twist.
- You can swap the beef for turkey, chicken, or sausage (Italian sausage adds extra flavor immediately).
- Make the dish even healthier by making your own noodles! Here's a recipe for Homemade Pasta from Scratch.
Fun Add-Ins
- Add in Pesto drizzle between layers for a delicious twist. Try this Basil Pesto recipe!
- Add fresh or frozen spinach (make sure thawed spinach is squeezed dry), sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions for some extra vegetables.
- Add in a pinch of red pepper flakes for some spice!
Pro Tip: When using foil during baking or reheating cheesy food, I lightly spray the underside of the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This saves so much mess!
Lasagna for Christmas
Lasagna makes a wonderful choice for Christmas dinner because it feels like home. This dish will bring comfort and warmth to the table. To top it off, this meal can be easily customized to suit family preferences! My favorite thing is that it can be prepared ahead of time so that I can relax and enjoy Christmas with my family. I do NOT like being tied to the kitchen when guests are over. If you want to make it more festive, add fresh parsley or basil on top to give it those Christmas green and red vibes!
More Italian Dishes
Storing Leftovers
Store cooked lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
You can freeze lasagna for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and cover the lasagna with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Recipe
Lasagna Recipe with Cottage Cheese
Equipment
- Oven
- Large Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Ground Meat we use ground beef
- 32 oz Spaghetti or Marinara Sauce
- 32 oz Cottage Cheese
- 2 Eggs
- 1½ tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1½ teaspoon Garlic Powder or 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 9 Lasagna Noodles Regular or No Bake (both work)
Instructions
Cooking the Beef Mixture
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown ground beef in a large skillet (or pot) on medium-high heat. Break up the beef as it cooks. Once cooked, strain off excess grease.
- Add the spaghetti sauce to the browned meat, bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
Making the Cottage Cheese Mixture
- Place cottage cheese into a blender or food processor and blend until it's thick and smooth. This keeps the cottage cheese layer smooth as butter!
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and then mix in Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt.
- Add in the smooth cottage cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and ½ a cup of shredded parmesan cheese to the mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly.
Layering and Cooking Lasagna
- Coat the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish with ½ cup of the meat sauce. Then, lay 3 noodles down side-by-side.
- Top the noodles with 2 cups worth of the cottage cheese mixture and smooth out evenly with a spatula.
- Place about 1 ¼ cup of the meat sauce on top of the cheese layer, then lay down 3 more uncooked lasagna noodles. Repeat a layer of remaining cottage cheese, layer of ½ of the remaining meat sauce, and a 3rd layer of noodles.
- For the final layers, top the 3rd layer of noodles with the remaining meat mixture and then coat the top of the lasagna with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes. After 50 minutes, remove the foil and bake for a remaining 10 minutes to brown the cheese. Let lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before serving so it will set and be easier to slice.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can! Assemble the lasagna the same and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the noodles are tender. Lasagna will still serve best if you let it rest before serving.
Yes, you can choose to use ground turkey if you prefer that in your lasagna. You will season it the same!
Yes, you can use a gluten-free lasagna noodle. Make sure to check the label on the cottage cheese; also, some brands add a wheat starch for consistency.
Football prediction software says
This recipe is just the best! Its so easy and the cottage cheese mixture is a genius trick – smooth as butter, just like ricotta! Though I do worry about the no noodle boiling claim turning into a kitchen disaster. The step-by-step instructions are clear, and the idea of using foil? Dont forget the cooking spray to avoid sticking – a lifesaver! Using zucchini noodles or turkey? Brilliant swaps! Just imagine the Christmas green and red vibes with fresh herbs on top – perfect for keeping guests away from the stove. Definitely trying this soon, maybe with a pinch of extra red pepper flakes for some fun!
CookitwithTim says
I promise the no boiling works and I hope you enjoy!
Dorese Mauterer says
Loved it! Thanks Tim!
CookitwithTim says
You are welcome and I am glad you loved it!
KSC says
Absolutely fantastic!!!! Thank you!
CookitwithTim says
Thank you so much Kim! Glad you loved it. Happy cooking!