This healthy twist on the traditional Italian dish is full of protein, fresh cheese, fresh herbs and is so delicious. Made with cottage cheese rather than ricotta, it’s nutrient dense, high in protein and is the perfect meal for a weeknight or entertraining.
Ingredient Notes and Health Benefits
Lean Ground Beef: I buy organic beef whenever possible, and the leanest they have at the store. Look for “extra lean or lean”
Spicy Sausage: This gives the lasagna a little kick and a lot of flavor. You can also substitute mild sausage if you don’t like spice.
Cottage Cheese: Traditional lasagna is made with ricotta cheese. You won’t notice the difference taste wise, but cottage cheese has a much higher nutritional value and is also very high in protein.
Fresh Mozzarella: I buy the fresh mozzarella in the produce section of Trader Joe’s. It’s pre-sliced which saves some time.
Noodles: This recipe uses noodles that you boil do not buy the no boil lasagna noodles.
How to Make Meat Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
1st Step: Place 1 tbsp of olive oil into a medium sized pot, heat over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
2nd Step: Add ground beef and sausage, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Cook for 5 minutes, or until meat begins to brown. Pour in marinara, tomato paste, italian seasoning, fresh basil, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
3rd Step: While the meat sauce is cooking, cook the noodles according to package directions, set aside.
4th Step: To prepare the cheese filling, whisk eggs in a medium sized bowl. Add cottage cheese, parmesan cheese and parsley. Stir to combine.
5th Step: Preheat oven to 350.
6th Step: When the noodles are done, place the first layer (3-4 noodles) into a greased lasagna pan. Place cheese filling onto noodles and spread evenly. Place mozzarella onto cheese filling. Scoop meat sauce onto mozzarella and spread evenly.
7th Step: Add another layer of noodles and repeat until all cheese and meat has been used.
8th Step: Place in the oven and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
9th Step: Using oven mitts, remove lasagna from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle extra parmesan and ripped basil onto top, and enjoy.
Meat filling: Cheese filling: For Lasagna: Garnish: 1. Place 1 tbsp of olive oil into a medium sized pot, heat over medium heat.
Ingredients
1 yellow onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb hot italian sausage (or medium)
1 jar (25oz) tomato basil marinara
2 cans (12 oz tomato paste)
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 tbsp ground black pepper
1/2 tbsp salt
2 tbsp italian seasoning
4 cups low fat cottage cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
8oz lasagna noodles, cooked
1 lb fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
Ripped fresh basil
Parmesan cheese (to taste)Instructions
2. Add onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
3. Add garlic and cook another minute.
4. Add ground beef and sausage, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Cook for 5 minutes, or until meat begins to brown.
5. Pour in marinara, add tomato pasta, italian seasoning, fresh basil, salt and pepper.
6. Cover and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
7. While the meat sauce is cooking, cook the noodles according to package directions, set aside.
8. To prepare the cheese filling, whisk eggs in a medium sized bowl. Add cottage cheese, parmesan cheese and parsley. Stir to combine.
9. Preheat oven to 350
10. When the noodles are done, place the first layer (3-4 noodles) into a greased lasagna pan.
11. Place cheese filling onto noodles and spread evenly.
12. Place mozzarella onto cheese filling. Scoop meat sauce onto mozzarella and spread evenly.
13. Add another layer of noodles and repeat until all cheese and meat has been used.
14. Place in the oven and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
15. Using oven mitts, remove lasagna from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
16. Sprinkle extra parmesan and ripped basil onto top, and enjoy.
