Budget-Friendly Cottage Cheese Lasagna Recipe

This recipe works because it uses simple, fresh ingredients.

The meat sauce has lean ground beef, marinara sauce, and diced tomatoes that blend into a smooth, rich mixture.

The cheese filling uses cottage cheese, ricotta, and shredded mozzarella. This combination creates a creamy texture that binds the layers.

The use of lasagna noodles, whether boiled or no-boil, gives the dish a firm base.

The balance of flavors in the meat sauce and the cottage cheese mixture makes this lasagna a crowd-pleaser.

Each component, from the small-curd cottage cheese to the grated parmesan, plays an important role in the final taste.

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 small diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Cheese Filling

• 2 cups cottage cheese (small curd or whole milk as preferred)
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Optional: 2 cups fresh spinach for a spinach filling

For Assembly

• 9-12 lasagna noodles (traditional or oven-ready)
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce (for topping)
• Optional: Extra shredded mozzarella or ricotta for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Meat Sauce

Step 1
Gather all the ingredients for the meat sauce. Place lean ground beef, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, diced onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and olive oil in your kitchen workspace.

Step 2- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Stir until the onion becomes soft.

Step 3
Add the lean ground beef to the pan. Stir the meat until it browns. Mix in the diced tomatoes and marinara sauce. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes.

Make the Cheese Filling

Step 1
Collect all the cheese ingredients: cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated parmesan. Optionally, add fresh spinach if you choose a spinach fill.

Step 2- Combine the cottage cheese, ricotta, and mozzarella in a bowl. Stir the mixture well. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3
Ensure that the cheese filling has a smooth, even texture. This cheese mixture is the heart of a good cottage cheese lasagna and gives the dish its creamy quality.

Assemble the Lasagna

Step 1
Gather the cooked lasagna noodles and prepare your baking dish. Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the dish.

Step 2- Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top of the meat sauce. Evenly spread the cheese filling over the noodles. Sprinkle a few shreds of mozzarella and grated parmesan on the layer.

Step 3
Repeat the layering process: noodles, meat sauce, cheese filling, and a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella. Finish with a final layer of noodles on the top.

Bake and Serve

Step 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.

Step 2- Bake the lasagna for 25 minutes with foil. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and lightly browned.

Step 3
Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve warm and enjoy the blend of meat sauce and the rich, creamy cheese filling.

Expert Tips

Choosing the Best Cottage Cheese

Select a cottage cheese that suits your taste. You can choose small-curd cottage cheese for a thicker texture or whole-milk cottage cheese for a creamier finish. The quality of cottage cheese affects the overall meltiness and taste of your cheese filling.

Layering Techniques

Layer the lasagna evenly. Start with a thin spread of meat sauce to coat the bottom. Then place the noodles carefully. Apply the cheese filling in an even layer to prevent the lasagna from being too dry or too creamy in spots. Ensure that each layer is spread uniformly for a balanced flavor.

Storage and Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to three days. To reheat, use an oven-safe dish and warm at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions until heated through. The lasagna remains delicious even after reheating.

Dietary Modifications

For a vegan option, replace the ground beef with seasoned plant-based meat or lentils.

Use vegan cheese alternatives instead of cottage cheese, ricotta, and mozzarella. For gluten-free modifications, choose gluten-free lasagna noodles.

The recipe adapts well to these substitutions while maintaining a hearty texture and flavor.

FAQs

Can I freeze cottage cheese lasagna?

Yes, you can freeze cottage cheese lasagna. Allow the dish to cool completely. Wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to three months. Reheat in the oven directly from the freezer at 350°F for 40-45 minutes.

What herbs pair best with lasagna?

Fresh basil and oregano pair well with lasagna. Italian seasoning also adds a pleasant flavor. These herbs enhance both the meat sauce and the cheese filling, giving the dish a fresh and aromatic quality.

Nutrition Information

Reader Reviews & Ratings

Many readers report that this cottage cheese lasagna recipe produces a delightful meal.

Reviewers praise the balanced meat sauce and the smooth, creamy cheese filling.

Some comment on the ease of layering and the clear instructions.

Ratings are generally high, with most readers giving the dish 4.5 to 5 stars.

The recipe has become a crowd-pleaser among those who appreciate homemade lasagna with cottage cheese.

Leave a Comment

We invite you to share your experience with this cottage cheese lasagna recipe.

Tell us how the meat sauce and cheese filling worked for you.

Your feedback helps us improve and guides other home cooks.

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Cottage Cheese Lasagna Recipe

This cottage cheese lasagna recipe combines a rich meat sauce with a creamy cheese filling and layers of lasagna noodles. It is budget-friendly, easy to prepare, and serves 6 people.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 people

Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Large Pan For browning the meat
• 1 Pot For boiling lasagna noodles
• 1 Baking Dish For assembling the lasagna
• 1 Mixing bowl For combining the cheese filling
• 1 Oven For baking the lasagna
• 1 Aluminum Foil For covering the dish during baking

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lb lean ground beef
• 1.5 cups marinara sauce
• 1.5 cups diced tomatoes
• 1 large onion or 1½ small onions, diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• For the Cheese Filling:
• 3 cups cottage cheese
• ¾ cup ricotta cheese
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
• Optional: 3 cups fresh spinach if desired
• For Assembly:
• 14 –18 lasagna noodles cooked
• Optional: ¾ cup additional marinara sauce for topping
• Optional: Extra shredded mozzarella cheese for garnish

Instructions

 

• Prepare the Meat Sauce
• Step 1
• Gather all the ingredients for the meat sauce. Place lean ground beef, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, diced onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and extra virgin olive oil in your kitchen workspace.
• Step 2- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Stir until the onion becomes soft.
• Step 3
• Add the lean ground beef to the pan. Stir the meat until it browns. Mix in the diced tomatoes and marinara sauce. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes.
• Make the Cheese Filling
• Step 1
• Collect all the cheese ingredients: cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated parmesan. Optionally, add fresh spinach if you choose a spinach fill.
• Step 2- Combine the cottage cheese, ricotta, and mozzarella in a bowl. Stir the mixture well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Step 3
• Ensure that the cheese filling has a smooth, even texture. This mixture forms the creamy heart of the lasagna.
• Assemble the Lasagna
• Step 1
• Gather the cooked lasagna noodles and prepare your baking dish. Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the dish.
• Step 2- Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top of the meat sauce. Evenly spread the cheese filling over the noodles. Sprinkle a few shreds of mozzarella and grated parmesan on this layer.
• Step 3
• Repeat the layering process: noodles, meat sauce, cheese filling, and a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella. Finish with a final layer of noodles on top.
• Bake and Serve
• Step 1
• Preheat your oven to 375°F. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
• Step 2- Bake the lasagna for 25 minutes with foil. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and lightly browned.
• Step 3
• Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve warm and enjoy the blend of rich meat sauce and the smooth, creamy cheese filling.

Video

Notes

This updated cottage cheese lasagna recipe is designed to serve 6 people.

The increased ingredient amounts maintain the balance of flavors in the rich meat sauce and creamy cheese filling.

The dish is perfect for a family dinner and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Enjoy creating and sharing this hearty, homemade lasagna.

Keyword cottage cheese lasagna, meat sauce, cheese filling, easy lasagna, homemade lasagna, budget-friendly