Cottage Cheese Lasagna Bake
Description:
Cottage cheese lasagna bake is a comforting, oven-baked casserole that delivers all the classic lasagna flavors with a lighter, creamy twist. The cottage cheese blends smoothly with eggs and seasoning, creating a rich yet fluffy layer between tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and melted cheese.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
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1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
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1 small onion, chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 jar (24 oz) marinara or spaghetti sauce
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
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2 cups cottage cheese
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1 large egg
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta
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9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
Topping
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1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground meat with onion until browned. Drain excess fat.
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Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
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In a bowl, mix cottage cheese, egg, 1 cup mozzarella, and Parmesan until well combined.
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Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.
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Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
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Spread half of the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles.
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Add a layer of meat sauce, then repeat layers once more.
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Finish with remaining noodles, sauce, and top with 1½ cups mozzarella cheese.
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Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
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Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips and Variations
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Blend cottage cheese for a smoother, ricotta-like texture.
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Add spinach or mushrooms for extra vegetables.
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This bake freezes and reheats well.