Meaty Lasagna with Cottage Cheese

Name: Meaty Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; ½ onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 pound Italian sausage; 1 pound ground beef; 2 cans (14.5-ounce) diced tomatoes; 2 cans (6-ounce) tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, divided; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 3 cups full-fat cottage cheese; 2 eggs, beaten; 1 ½ cups Parmesan cheese, grated, divided; 1 package (10-ounce) lasagna noodles; 1 pound mozzarella cheese (roughly 4 cups), shredded; parsley, chopped (optional)

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This hearty and delicious meaty lasagna with cottage cheese is a crowd-pleaser that's sure to become a family favorite. Made with layers of lasagna noodles, a savory meat sauce, and creamy cottage cheese, this lasagna is easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

Meaty Lasagna with Cottage Cheese in a white casserole dish, next to bread sticks and a bowl of parsley.

Let's be honest, who doesn't love a good lasagna? But what makes this meaty lasagna with cottage cheese so special? First, the cottage cheese adds a creamy, tangy flavor that perfectly complements the savory meat sauce. Second, the recipe calls for plenty of melted mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese sprinkled on top, creating a golden and bubbly layer of cheesy goodness. Finally, the secret to this delicious meaty lasagna is its versatility. There is no need to run to the grocery store for hard-to-find ingredients! This easy lasagna recipe is made with simple pantry staples. You can substitute what you have on hand to make a hearty and tasty dinner that everyone will love.

But beyond just the delicious taste, this lasagna is also a great option for feeding a crowd. It's a filling and hearty dish that's sure to satisfy even the biggest appetites. Plus, it's easy to make ahead of time, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests. You can freeze this lasagna for up to 3 months and bake it from frozen! (See our FAQs below on how to do that.) I always have one of these lasagnas in the freezer. They come in super handy during harvest on our farm and back-to-school time when life gets hectic. Once you try this tasty recipe, you'll stock your freezer with one or two lasagna casseroles too!

Why You Should Make This Recipe

Hearty and delicious: This lasagna is filling, satisfying, and full of savory flavors that will make your taste buds sing.

Easy to make: With simple instructions and readily available ingredients, this recipe is easy to follow and perfect for beginners.

Crowd-pleaser: Whether you're cooking for your family or hosting a dinner party, this homemade lasagna recipe is sure to impress everyone at the table.

Versatile: You can easily customize this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables or meat substitutes to the meat sauce mixture. You can substitute the cottage cheese with ricotta cheese. Don't have diced tomatoes or tomato paste? You can grab a jar of pasta sauce, spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce and use that for the meat sauce mixture.

Leftovers: This lasagna is perfect for meal prepping or leftovers, as it reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Cottage cheese: The addition of cottage cheese adds a creamy and tangy element to the lasagna, which complements the meat sauce perfectly.

Ingredients Needed

olive oil
onion
garlic
Italian sausage
ground beef
diced tomatoes
tomato sauce
Italian seasoning
salt
black pepper
cottage cheese
eggs
Parmesan cheese
uncooked lasagna noodles
mozzarella cheese

See the recipe card below for quantities.

How to Make Lasagna from Scratch

Now, you're probably wondering how to make this delectable dish. Don't worry, we've got you covered!

First, let's make the meaty tomato sauce! You'll start by sautéing the onion and garlic in a large skillet. Then you'll brown the ground meats over medium-high heat. Next, you will add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and spices and seasonings. You'll let this delicious mixture simmer while you make the other ingredients.

Next, get the lasagna noodles cooked al dente while you make the tangy, cheesy layer.

Now, you'll combine the cottage cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning in a large bowl until there is a creamy texture and set aside. You'll need this mixture for the tangy, cheesy layer.

Woohoo – now you're ready to assemble this tasty lasagna recipe! To assemble, simply start by layering the bottom of the pan with noodles in a single layer (although noodles should slightly overlap). Then you'll spoon half the yummy cottage cheese layer over the noodles. Then layer with a generous handful of mozzarella. Next, spoon half the meat sauce mixture over the top of the mozzarella. Repeat the steps once more, ending with the meat mixture. Lastly, sprinkle the top generously with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Now you're ready to bake the best lasagna ever!

See the recipe card below for exact instructions.

Recommended Equipment & Tools

Disposable baking pans, 13x9 baking dish, large skillet

Lasagna FAQs

Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the lasagna up to a day ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake it.

Can I freeze this lasagna?

Yes, you can freeze this uncooked lasagna for up to 3 months. Cook the ingredients and assemble the lasagna per the recipe instructions below. Let the dish cool entirely prior to wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and then a double layer of aluminum foil before freezing. When you're ready to eat it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it in the oven. (I like to use these pans so they can go from freezer to oven. An added bonus is that they are disposable so there are fewer dishes too!)

How do I cook a lasagna from frozen?

First, peel back the foil and remove the plastic wrap. Next, cover the top with new foil and bake for 60-70 minutes at 375° or until heated through. A thermometer inserted in the center should read 165°. Remove the foil and bake the lasagna for 10 more minutes or so to brown the top. Pull the lasagna from the oven and let it sit for another 10 minutes before slicing into it.

How long will lasagna leftovers last in the refrigerator?

Leftovers will last for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.

Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles for this recipe?

Yes, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles. Just make sure to add an extra cup of water to the meat sauce mixture, as the noodles will absorb some of the liquid during baking.

Can I use a different type of cheese instead of mozzarella?

Of course! You can use any type of cheese that you prefer, such as cheddar or Parmesan.

Can I use turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes, you can use ground turkey, ground chicken or ground lamb if you prefer.

Can I add vegetables to this lasagna?

Absolutely! You can add any vegetables that you like, such as spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers. Just make sure to sauté them in a separate pan before adding them to the meat sauce mixture.

How long to bake lasagna at 350°F?

Cook lasagna at 350°F. for 20-30 minutes or until bubbly.

If you give this recipe a try, please leave a comment below, rate the recipe, and don’t forget to tag me @homesweetfarmhome on Instagram and use the hashtag #homesweetfarmhome. I’d love to see what you come up with and share with our community. Cheers!

Meaty Lasagna with Cottage Cheese

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 30
Cook Time: 30
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
½ onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound Italian sausage
1 pound ground beef
2 cans (14.5-ounce) diced tomatoes
2 cans (6-ounce) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, divided
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups full-fat cottage cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1 ½ cups Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
1 package (10-ounce) lasagna noodles
1 pound mozzarella cheese (roughly 4 cups), shredded
parsley, chopped (optional)

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Instructions

In a large sauté pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add in minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
Next, add the Italian sausage and ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat until browned. Drain the fat.
Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Let the sauce mixture simmer for 45 minutes while working on the other steps.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil for the lasagna noodles.
In a medium bowl, mix cottage cheese, beaten eggs, 1 cup Parmesan and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning. Stir together well. Set aside.
Cook the lasagna noodles until "al dente" per package instructions and drain.

Assemble the Lasagna Casserole:

Arrange 4 cooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of a 13x9 inch casserole dish or baking pan, overlapping if necessary.
Spoon half the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles. Spread evenly.
Cover cottage cheese with a layer of mozzarella cheese.
Next, spoon half the meat sauce mixture over the top of the mozzarella.
Repeat the steps once more, ending with the meat sauce mixture. Sprinkle top generously with the remaining ½ cup Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes or until the top is hot and bubbly. I like to place a sheet pan underneath the casserole dish to catch anything that might bubble over the sides.
Let the lasagna cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Optional - sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Notes

Upon assembling the lasagna, you can immediately freeze or refrigerate it for up to one day. Baked leftovers will last for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.

Keywords: lasagna, meal prep, freezer meal

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