Creamy Cottage Cheese Lasagna Recipe: Hearty Italian Comfort

Layers of pasta and rich cottage cheese create a mouthwatering lasagna that breaks traditional recipe boundaries.

Home cooks adore this creamy cottage cheese lasagna recipe for its comforting textures and bold flavors.

Every bite promises a delightful blend of melted cheese and hearty ingredients.

The dish combines classic Italian-inspired elements with a modern twist that surprises and satisfies.

Cheese lovers will appreciate the smooth, velvety notes throughout each slice.

Simple ingredients come together to craft a memorable meal that feeds hungry families and delights dinner guests.

Prepare to savor a lasagna that redefines comfort food with its irresistible charm.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 392 kcal

Servings: 9

Stuff Needed For Cottage Cheese Lasagna

• Ground Beef: Provides rich, hearty protein base with deep savory flavor, choose lean cut for healthier option.
• Marinara Sauce: Adds vibrant tomato base, select high-quality jarred sauce or homemade for authentic taste.
• Diced Tomatoes: Brings fresh tomato texture and extra moisture to meat sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: Delivers classic herbal notes, blend of dried herbs like oregano and basil.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances overall seasoning and balances meat flavor.

• Cottage Cheese: Creates creamy, protein-packed filling with light texture, opt for full-fat version for richer taste.
• Egg: Binds cheese mixture and provides structure, ensures smooth consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, nutty undertone, choose freshly grated for best flavor.
• Parsley: Introduces fresh, bright herb element, use fresh for maximum flavor impact.

• Lasagna Noodles: Provides classic layered structure, can use no-boil for convenience.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Delivers classic stretchy, melty cheese layer, select whole milk variety for best melt.
• Extra Parmesan Cheese: Optional finishing touch for extra cheesy richness.

Tools That Help With Cottage Cheese Lasagna

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning ground beef and simmering meat sauce.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining cottage cheese filling ingredients.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Crucial for layering and baking lasagna.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring meat sauce and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helpful for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Aluminum Foil: Needed to cover lasagna during initial baking.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for slicing lasagna after cooking.

How To Bake Cottage Cheese Lasagna

• Brown the Meat Unleash a flavor explosion by sizzling ground beef in a hot skillet. Crush garlic into the mix and cook until the meat turns a rich, golden brown. Drain away any extra fat, then pour in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Let this sauce simmer and mingle its flavors for 10-15 minutes.
• Whip Up the Creamy Cheese Blend In a mixing bowl, transform cottage cheese into a silky dream. Crack an egg, fold in Parmesan, sprinkle fresh parsley, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
• Prep and Preheat Fire up the oven to 375°F. Grab a baking dish and give it a light coating of cooking spray to prevent any sticky situations.
• Layer with Love Start building your lasagna masterpiece. Spread a generous layer of meat sauce across the bottom of the dish. Lay down noodles like a cozy blanket, then dollop on half the cottage cheese mixture. Shower with mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers of deliciousness – sauce, noodles, cottage cheese, mozzarella. Crown the top with a final layer of noodles, sauce, and a blanket of melty cheese.
• Bake to Perfection Cover the dish with foil and slide it into the oven. Bake for 25 minutes, then unveil and continue baking for another 20 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
• Rest and Serve Let your lasagna catch its breath for 10-15 minutes. This allows the layers to set and makes slicing a breeze. Serve up this comfort food masterpiece and watch everyone's eyes light up!

Ideas To Make Cottage Cheese Lasagna Better

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the lasagna up to the point of baking, then cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the total cooking time.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for a leaner or vegetarian version of the dish. Each option brings its own unique flavor profile to the lasagna.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Experiment with different cheese combinations by adding ricotta, provolone, or a blend of Italian cheeses to enhance the creamy texture and depth of flavor.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Swap traditional pasta noodles with zucchini slices, eggplant layers, or low-carb lasagna sheets to create a lighter, more nutrient-dense version of the classic recipe. These alternatives work perfectly for those following keto or gluten-free diets.
• Herb Garden Boost: Elevate the flavor by adding fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme to the cottage cheese mixture or meat sauce. Fresh herbs bring a vibrant, aromatic touch that takes the lasagna from good to extraordinary.

Serving Tips For Cottage Cheese Lasagna

• Hearty Family Feast: Serve this lasagna as a complete meal with a crisp green salad tossed in balsamic vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast to the rich, cheesy layers.
• Cozy Dinner Companion: Pair with warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious sauce and add extra texture to your dining experience.
• Wine and Dine: Complement the robust flavors with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which beautifully matches the tomato and beef elements of the dish.
• Leftover Magic: Store individual portions in airtight containers for easy lunch meal prep, as the flavors continue to develop and taste even more delicious the next day.

Storage Advice For Cottage Cheese Lasagna

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain delicious flavor.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual portions or entire lasagna in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Label with date to track freshness and enjoy later with same great taste.
• Reheating Perfection: Warm refrigerated lasagna in oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Microwave option works for quick single servings, heating in 1-minute intervals and stirring between each.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Assemble entire lasagna up to 24 hours before baking, covering and refrigerating. Keep unbaked dish sealed until ready to cook. This technique saves time and allows flavors to blend beautifully.

Creamy Cottage Cheese Lasagna Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Creamy cottage cheese lasagna delivers a comforting twist on classic Italian cuisine. Layers of rich cheese, tender pasta, and savory sauce create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (or Italian sausage)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24 oz / 680 grams) jar marinara sauce
• 1 (14.5 oz / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 3 cups cottage cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 9–12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Extra Parmesan for topping (optional)

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Instructions

1. Meat Sauce Preparation: Sear ground beef with garlic in a skillet until richly caramelized. Drain excess fat, then infuse marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes to develop a deeply flavored sauce.
2. Cheese Mixture Creation: Whisk cottage cheese, egg, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper into a smooth, well-blended filling that will provide creamy texture throughout the lasagna.
3. Oven Preparation and Dish Setup: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and facilitate easy serving.
4. Layering Technique: Create a strategic layering process by spreading a thin meat sauce base, then alternating noodles, cottage cheese mixture, and mozzarella. Repeat the sequence twice, finishing with a final layer of meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan to create a multi-dimensional flavor profile.
5. Baking Process: Encase the lasagna in aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese develops a golden, bubbling crust that promises delectable caramelization.
6. Resting and Serving: Allow the lasagna to rest for 10-15 minutes after removing from the oven. This critical waiting period enables the layers to set properly, ensuring clean, precise cuts and optimal flavor integration when serving.

Notes

• Select Fresh Ingredients: Choose high-quality ground beef, ripe tomatoes, and creamy cottage cheese for enhanced flavor and texture.
• Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove excess fat completely to prevent a greasy lasagna and ensure a cleaner, more robust meat sauce.
• Layer Strategically: Create even, thin layers to guarantee consistent taste and texture in every bite, preventing dense or dry sections.
• Rest Before Serving: Allow the lasagna to sit for 10-15 minutes after baking, which helps layers bind together and makes cutting clean and precise.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg