Description
This comforting Italian-American lasagna is a wholesome, hearty meal perfect for busy weeknights. By utilizing creamy cottage cheese instead of traditional ricotta, this recipe achieves a lighter, fluffier texture that families absolutely love. It uses no-boil noodles to save time in the kitchen, resulting in a bubbling, golden masterpiece that provides a warm, cheesy hug in every single bite. It is a budget-friendly, protein-packed dish that tastes even better as leftovers.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
15 ounces tomato sauce
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
16 ounces small curd cottage cheese
1 large egg
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 no-boil lasagna noodles
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion, cooking until the meat is browned and onions are softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, egg, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Spread a small amount of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Layer with 3-4 no-boil noodles, followed by a portion of the cottage cheese mixture, meat sauce, and a handful of mozzarella.
Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a generous layer of mozzarella on top.
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Using small curd cottage cheese ensures a smoother texture. You can substitute lean ground turkey for beef if preferred. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This dish freezes well before or after baking.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 50
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American