Lasagna Recipe with Cottage Cheese

This quick and easy Lasagna Recipe with Cottage Cheese is the perfect comfort food for a hearty meal! Make it in advance so you can heat it up any time you want a hot home-cooked meal!

Homemade lasagna is one of my all-time favorite recipes, but I don’t make it often since it does take a while to prepare. A light went off in my head when my friend told me she makes two at a time and freezes one to heat and serve later! What a great way to save time when nothing but a cheesy lasagna will do!

Ricotta vs. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is made from small milk curds, while whey from the milk is used to make ricotta cheese. Both are creamy, rich cheeses, but ricotta has a thick, fine, grainy texture, while cottage cheese is lumpier. I highly prefer the small curd cottage cheese variety.

Most classic lasagna recipes are made with ricotta cheese. While the taste is very similar in the end product, using cottage cheese results in a little bit lighter lasagna, while ricotta has a thicker texture.

Because cottage cheese has small curds, it stays moist as the lasagna bakes, ensuring your lasagna cooks. Ricotta tends to dry out and turn chalky in an extended bake.

If you prefer using ricotta, you can substitute an equal amount of it for the cottage cheese in this recipe or follow the directions for my Mom’s classic lasagna here.

Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Lasagna

The list is long, but making a homemade lasagna recipe is worth the time at the grocery store! Here’s what you need to make this easy lasagna recipe:

Olive oil– for browning the meat

Lean ground beef– you can also use ground turkey or Italian sausage.

Yellow onion– enough for one cup

Minced garlic– measure with your heart!

Tomato puree

Tomato sauce

Diced tomatoes

Tomato paste

Sugar

Worcestershire sauce– adds a dash of flavor

Seasonings: basil, bay leaves, oregano, salt, and black pepper

Uncooked lasagna noodles

Cottage Cheese Mixture

Large egg

Full fat cottage cheese– use a full-fat variety to avoid watery lasagna!

Grated Parmesan cheese

Dried parsley

Shredded Mozzarella cheese

The exact amounts are detailed in the recipe card below!

How to make Lasagna with Cottage Cheese

First, we’ll make the meat sauce and cook the noodles!

Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven on medium heat and add the olive oil. Stir and cook the onion and garlic and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes.

Next, add the ground beef and cook until brown.

Add the puree, sauce, diced tomatoes, paste, sugar, basil, salt, oregano, pepper, and bay leaves. Stir until well combined.

Reduce to low heat. Cover and simmer for at least 45 minutes, stirring frequently.

While that simmers, preheat the oven to 350° F.

In a large pot, cook lasagna noodles according to the manufacturer’s directions for al dente. 

Place a few long sheets of wax paper onto a clean work surface, and spray with cooking spray. 

Drain and place the noodles flat onto the wax paper while the sauce continues to cook.

Cottage Cheese Mixture

Beat the egg in a large bowl.

Add the cottage cheese, 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Mix until well combined.

Lasagna Assembly

Now it’s time to put the lasagna together and get it ready to bake!

Generously coat a deep 9 X 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, and layer a rimmed baking pan with tin foil.

Remove the bay leaves from the meat sauce. Place a thin layer of the sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.

Put 4 lasagna noodles on top of the meat sauce.

Spread 1/3 of the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles. 

Completely cover the noodles with about 2 cups of sauce, making sure to spread the sauce into the corners and along the edges.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the mozzarella over the sauce.

Place 4 lasagna noodles over the mozzarella and repeat the order of layering.

Place lasagna noodles over the final cottage cheese/mozzarella layer and cover the top of the lasagna with sauce. 

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the sauce.

Place the pan of lasagna onto the foil-lined baking sheet. This allows for easier clean-up should it bubble over in the oven or spill over when cutting into it at the table.

Bake for 50 minutes or until bubbly. If you notice the cheese beginning to brown too soon, cover lightly with a sheet of aluminum foil. 

FAQs

Can I use No-Boil Lasagna noodles instead?

No-boil noodles are a great timesaver! To use them, assemble the lasagna according to the recipe, but cook the lasagna covered with aluminum foil for at least the first 45 minutes to allow the noodles to soak up liquid from the sauce. 

Can I use a jarred sauce instead of homemade sauce?

Jarred marinara sauce is another great shortcut for lasagna! Yes, you can use 2-3 jars (depending on size) of your favorite pasta sauce instead and substitute it for the meat sauce in the recipe directions.

How do I make this Lasagna Recipe with Cottage Cheese to freeze for later?

Assemble and bake the lasagna as directed, then let it cool completely to room temperature.

Cover it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. Slide it into the freezer, where it will keep for up to 3 months!

To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the plastic wrap and replace the foil, then reheat a 375-degree oven for about 30-45 minutes or until heated throughout.

Can I make it ahead of time to bake later?

Yes, you can store unbaked lasagna in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days!

What about leftover lasagna?

Store leftover lasagna in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

You can also slice and wrap cooled lasagna portions individually and place them in a freezer bag. Then reheat as desired in the microwave or a 375-degree oven until warmed through!

What should I serve with Lasagna with Cottage Cheese?

This lasagna recipe with cottage cheese goes great with a light side like a salad. Don’t forget some homemade bread! I also love this easy Air Fryer Garlic Bread!

More Pasta Recipes

Make one of these delicious pasta dishes next time you need an easy weeknight meal:

Pepperoni Pizza Pasta

Chicken Mozzarella Pasta

Easy Stuffed Shells with Cottage Cheese

Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni

Spinach Lasagna Rollups

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