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Easy lasagna recipe with cottage cheese featuring a thick, creamy slice of layered lasagna on a white plate with a parsley garnish.

Easy Lasagna Recipe with Cottage Cheese

This easy lasagna recipe with cottage cheese delivers all the comfort of traditional lasagna—without the soggy layers. Built for busy cooks, it’s rich, hearty, and packed with creamy, protein-rich filling and thick, flavorful meat sauce. Say goodbye to ricotta and hello to a firmer, better lasagna.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 315 kcal

Ingredients
  

Meat Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 0.5 bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb ground beef (extra lean)
  • 28 oz tomato sauce
  • 3 oz tomato paste
  • 14 oz canned tomatoes
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • 0.5 tsp salt

Lasagna

  • 9 large lasagna noodles
  • 24 oz full-fat cottage cheese 4% fat recommended
  • 1 egg optional, for binding
  • 16 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 4 oz parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft.
  • Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
  • Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, oregano, Italian seasoning, vinegar, and salt. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened.
  • In a bowl, mix cottage cheese with the egg and a pinch of salt. Set aside mozzarella and parmesan.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Add noodles, one third of the cottage cheese mix, one third of the mozzarella, and more sauce.
  • Repeat layering two more times, finishing with mozzarella and parmesan on top.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 more minutes until golden and bubbly.
  • Let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese mixture or sauté spices before adding to the sauce. Blend cottage cheese for a smoother texture. Use oven-ready noodles with slightly more sauce. To freeze, wrap well before or after baking and store up to 3 months.