Lasagna with Cottage Cheese is a delicious twist on the classic lasagna recipe, featuring layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and a creamy cottage cheese filling. This dish is perfect for a family dinner, a cozy night in, or any occasion where you want to enjoy a comforting and flavorful meal.
Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
Why This Lasagna with Cottage Cheese Is the Best
- Rich Meat Sauce: The tomato-based meat sauce is flavorful and savory, perfectly complementing the pasta and cheese.
- Creamy Cottage Cheese Filling: Cottage cheese adds a creamy and slightly tangy element to the lasagna, making it unique and delicious.
- Hearty Pasta: The lasagna noodles are cooked to perfection, creating a satisfying and hearty dish.
- Golden-Brown Topping: The lasagna is topped with melted cheese, adding a rich and creamy layer that complements the sauce and pasta.
- Beautiful Presentation: Garnished with fresh parsley, this dish is visually appealing and perfect for any occasion.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, preparing a weeknight meal, or looking for a comforting and satisfying dinner option, Lasagna with Cottage Cheese is the perfect choice. The combination of rich sauce, creamy filling, and hearty pasta makes it a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredient Notes
- Lasagna Noodles: Form the structure for the layered dish, providing a firm base to hold the fillings.
- Ground Beef: Adds savory richness and heartiness to the dish.
- Marinara Sauce: Brings a tangy, tomato-rich flavor to tie the layers together.
- Cottage Cheese: Offers a lighter alternative to ricotta while maintaining creaminess.
- Egg: Helps bind the cottage cheese mixture for a cohesive texture.
- Frozen Spinach: Adds a nutritious and earthy flavor, balancing the richness.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Creates gooey, melty layers and a golden crust.
- Italian Seasoning: Infuses the dish with classic herbaceous flavors.
Tips for Making the Best Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh meat, high-quality pasta, and fresh parsley.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Make sure to cook the lasagna noodles just until al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking.
- Generously Layer Sauce and Cheese: Layer the meat sauce and cottage cheese generously to ensure each bite is flavorful and rich.
- Bake Until Golden Brown: Bake the dish until the cheese is melted and golden brown for a beautiful presentation.
Serving Suggestions
- With Garlic Bread: Serve Lasagna with Cottage Cheese with garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- With a Side Salad: Add a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette for a balanced meal.
- With Steamed Vegetables: Include steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans for added nutrition.
- With Grated Parmesan Cheese: Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra richness.
- With a Refreshing Drink: Enjoy with a refreshing drink like iced tea or sparkling water to complement the flavors.
A Must Try
Imagine digging into this Lasagna with Cottage Cheese—each bite filled with tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy cottage cheese, all garnished with fresh parsley. Whether you’re sharing it with family and friends or enjoying it on your own, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your home. Gather your ingredients and create a meal that’s both satisfying and delicious. You’ll love sharing this comforting dish with loved ones and making special moments even more memorable!
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Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
This lasagna combines tender noodles, hearty beef, and a creamy cottage cheese filling enriched with spinach for a comforting, well-balanced meal. Mozzarella adds the perfect melty finish, while Italian seasoning ties it all together with familiar, aromatic notes.
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles regular whole wheat or brown rice pasta
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef
- 42 ounces quality marinara sauce
- 17 ounces cottage cheese full fat 1 tub
- 11 ounces frozen spinach thawed and squeezed 1 pack
- 3 cups Mozzarella cheese full fat divided
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the lasagna noodles in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions. Once tender, drain the noodles and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Cover with a clean towel to keep them from drying out, and set aside until ready to use.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook for about 10 minutes, breaking it into small pieces as it browns.
- Once cooked, drain any excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 15 minutes to blend the flavors.
- In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, an egg, and Italian seasoning. Mix until well blended, then set aside until ready to assemble the lasagna.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and spread a thin layer of meat sauce across the bottom.
- Arrange 4 lasagna noodles lengthwise, slightly overlapping.
- Spread a third of the meat sauce over the noodles, followed by half of the cottage cheese mixture, half of the spinach, and 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layering process once more.
- Finish by layering the remaining 4 noodles on top, spreading the last third of the meat sauce over them, and sprinkling 2 cups of cheese evenly across the surface.
- Lightly spray a sheet of aluminum foil or a silicone lid with cooking spray to prevent the cheese from sticking, then cover the dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, uncover, and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Once baked, remove the lasagna from the oven and keep it covered, allowing it to rest for 20 minutes. This helps the layers set.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the lasagna into 8-9 even slices, then serve with a flat, sturdy spatula for easy lifting.
Notes
- To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- For freezing, you can freeze individual slices in a container for up to 3 months.
- Alternatively, freeze the unbaked assembled lasagna: wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a few layers of foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and follow the baking instructions, adding an extra 10 minutes to the bake time.
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Lasagna with Cottage Cheese