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    Home Recipes Lunch

    Easy Lasagna Recipe with Cottage Cheese

    Published: Feb 27, 2021 · Modified: Feb 28, 2023 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This timeless lasagna recipe with cottage cheese is perfect for kids. It's made with plenty of sauce, is high in protein, and the spinach blends right in. No boiling required!

    One piece of lasagna on a white plate.

    Homemade lasagna has never been easier, or more delicious! This is a quick and easy lasagna recipe that will be your new family favorite at first bite!

    I've actually polled my home cook followers on Instagram about this, because I've seen others posting memes saying that if a recipe calls for you to chop an onion, it is neither quick nor easy. I had to laugh, because I thought to myself, they must be using the wrong kitchen tools, lol!

    So, yeah, if you are looking for the 'best ever lasagna recipe', this is it. It's full of amazing flavors, has a wonderful texture, and, as I've mentioned, it's easy, delicious, and nutritious.

    If you've made my Easy Caprese Bruschetta, you know I don't mess around with a good Italian flavored dish. I make this on busy weeknights, when having company, and when I am bringing a meal to others.

    And if I'm not making lasagna, I'm probably making tortellini tossed with chicken and pesto or air fryer pesto salmon using my homemade pesto recipe. You know these recipes are good when all three kids ask for them again and again!

    For more recipes made with ground turkey, check out my Kid-Approved Turkey Burgers and Old-Fashioned Sloppy Joes recipes. They make great meals any time of year!

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 😎 Dietitian Tip
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How To Make This Lasagna for Kids Recipe
    • Expert Tips
    • What to Serve with Lasagna
    • Questions You May Have
    • More Dinner Recipes That Kids Love
    • Easy Lasagna Recipe with Cottage Cheese

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    This is not your traditional lasagna recipe that takes forever to make. Rather, this is the ultimate lasagna recipe because it's made with ground turkey and spinach, uses cottage cheese instead of ricotta, and only takes fifteen minutes to prepare. I've been making this for years and it never gets old.

    • Kid-friendly lasagna
    • Easy to modify Can be made with traditional white, gluten-free, or my favorite whole grain lasagna noodles.
    • No boil recipe Less time, less mess, and fewer dishes!
    • Quick and easy ... for a lasagna recipe, understanding that both "quick" and "easy" are relative, of course 😉
    • Meal prep Can be assembled ahead of time and stored covered in the refrigerator for a day or two, until ready to bake.
    • Easy to reheat Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave can be enjoyed as another dinner or packed in a thermos for school lunches.
    • Great recipe for having company and for bringing a meal to someone who has recently moved or had a baby.

    😎 Dietitian Tip

    Finding nourishing recipes that the whole family loves can seem like a chore, but it doesn't have to be. This lasagna recipe is perfect for kids because it is subtly packed with nutritious ingredients and uses ingredients that kids really love, like noodles and gooey cheese.

    This classic recipe does not contain any overpowering flavors, which makes it appealing to kids who have simpler pallets. It will definitely be a household favorite.

    Ingredient Notes

    Lasagna ingredients labeled.
    • Lasagna Noodles Use regular lasagna noodles. There is no need to buy special lasagna noodles for this recipe. Whole wheat lasagna noodles contain more fiber and hold lasagna together better, but traditional lasagna along with gluten free lasagna noodles work well, too.
    • Cottage Cheese This ingredient provides protein and calcium and is great, healthy substitute for ricotta.
    • Pasta Sauce Store bought sauce is a huge time saver. I like to use one jar of Trader Joe's Organic Spaghetti Sauce with Mushrooms and one jar of their Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce. I don't recommend using chunky marinara sauce or sauce that is super thin.
    • Spinach A nutrient powerhouse. Spinach is a good source of Vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, iron, and fiber. It also provides color and texture.
    • Ground Turkey This ingredient is a great source of lean protein and makes this recipe much more filling. Ground turkey can be substituted with grass-fed ground beef, Italian sausage, or to make it vegetarian lasagna, Textured Vegetable Protein.
    • Egg The egg adds protein and helps bind the lasagna together.
    • Mozzarella Cheese Lasagna isn't lasagna without mozzarella! This gooey cheese is what will make your kids go crazy for this recipe. I use pre-shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese.
    • Grated Parmesan Cheese For flavor and also to help bind the cheese mixture. I use the pre-shredded Parmigiana Reggiano cheese from Costco.
    • Spices This recipe calls for dried parsley and pepper. There is plenty of salt from the cheeses and cottage cheese. If you really want to add both salt and pepper, you can, but it's not necessary. Also, if you don't have dried parsley, use dried oregano or Italian seasoning instead.
    My Lasagna Pan Pick
    This classic lasagna pan is easy to clean and can be used for any dish that calls for a 9x13 pan.
    SHOP NOW

    Photo Credit: amazon.com

    White lasagna pan.

    How To Make This Lasagna for Kids Recipe

    Here’s a quick overview of the steps to make this lasagna. For the full list of ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.

    Cottage cheese and spinach mixture to the left, meat sauce in a skillet to the right.
    1. Add oil, onion, garlic, and ground turkey to a large skillet and cook over medium to medium-high heat. Sauté for about 3 minutes, until onions are softened, and ground turkey is browned. Remove from heat. Add all but one cup of the marinara sauce to the meat mixture.
    2. While the turkey is cooking, mix together the egg, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, parsley, pepper, and drained spinach in a mixing bowl and set aside.
    Four uncooked lasagna noodles over marinara sauce to the left, cottage cheese mixture over lasagna noodles to the right.
    1. While turkey is cooking, spread one cup of the marinara sauce evenly to cover the bottom of a lasagna pan or 9x13 baking dish coated with cooking spray.
    2. Lay 4 uncooked lasagna noodles side by side, to cover the bottom of the baking dish.
    3. Spread the spinach and cheese mixture evenly over noodles.
    Meat sauce on top of cheese mixture to the left; four uncooked lasagna noodles over meat sauce to the right.
    1. Top with half of the mozzarella.
    2. When turkey and sauce are ready, spread half of the turkey sauce mixture out over the mozzarella cheese layer.
    3. Lay 4 lasagna noodles out over the turkey mixture.
    Top layer of meat sauce to the left; meat sauce topped with mozzarella in a lasagna pan to the right.
    1. Top with remaining sauce mixture.
    2. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the turkey mixture as the top layer.
    3. Finally, bake lasagna in the oven at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Sauce should be bubbling on the sides when fully cooked. Let sit for five minutes to set.
    Baked lasagna with two halves of a baguette on a white plate behind the lasagna.

    Expert Tips

    • If using frozen chopped and cooked spinach, defrost and drain it first.
    • If using fresh spinach, sauté it until wilted.
    • If using fresh spinach, either tear the spinach leaves into smaller pieces before cooking or use kitchen shears to break the spinach leaves into smaller pieces once cooked.
    • I suggest using a food chopper to chop the onion.
    • I like to use fresh garlic cloves, chopped or minced. Jarred minced garlic can be used instead.
    • If you don't have garlic cloves or jarred minced garlic, you can use garlic powder instead. I'm sure garlic salt would work, too.
    • If you don't have dried parsley, Italian seasoning or oregano can be used instead.
    • Not all baking dishes are the same. You may have to break some of the sheets of lasagna noodles to get it to fit.
    • Two egg whites, or ¼ cup of egg substitute can be used in place of one egg.
    • When raw lasagna noodles are used with enough sauce and baked for the right amount of time, the pasta is al dente, just as it should be.
    • To be clear, you don't need to buy special "oven ready lasagna noodles" or "no-boil" lasagna noodles. Just use regular lasagna noodles. There is no need to cook the noodles first.
    • This recipe can be divided in two (one for now, one to freeze or give away) by using two 8x8 square baking dishes instead of a 9x13 baking dish.
    • Leftovers can be frozen to be reheated for another time.

    What to Serve with Lasagna

    • Garlic bread
    • Applesauce (homemade or store bought)
    • Simple lettuce salad
    • Tuscan kale salad
    • Air fryer Broccoli Parmesan
    • Roasted Brussel sprouts

    Questions You May Have

    Should you cover lasagna with foil when baking it?

    It depends on the recipe and what your preference is. Covering lasagna with aluminum foil helps it to retain moisture and potentially cook faster. Still, retaining moisture can cause the noodles to be soggy.

    I only cover with foil when baking a frozen lasagna because of the longer baking time (I then remove the foil 30 minutes before it's done baking) or if I keep the lasagna in the oven on warm after it is done baking (in order to prevent the cheese from burning or drying out).

    How many layers is best for lasagna?

    It depends on who you ask;) There is no standard, but most lasagna recipes have three to four layers, which requires more ingredients and a longer cooking time in the oven.

    Still, I like using two layers in my lasagna because it's easier for portion control, is quicker to make, and it doesn't seem so intimidating on a plate to younger kids.

    Also, a standard piece of three to four layered lasagna might look overwhelming to kids, which could keep them from trying it.

    Is lasagna better with ricotta or cottage cheese?

    My personal opinion is that lasagna is way better when made with cottage cheese. But really it depends on your taste preference.

    Cottage cheese is lighter, while ricotta is thicker. So, if you prefer a thick cheese filling, you can use ricotta instead. But I do think you should make this lasagna recipe without ricotta cheese first so you can see for yourself just how good it is 🙂

    Do you have to boil lasagna before baking?

    Nope! Isn't this the best news?! I can't believe how much time I wasted boiling lasagna noodles before I learned from a former coworker years ago that it's not necessary.

    What is the best way to reheat lasagna?

    Leftover lasagna can be reheated in the microwave or oven. Reheating lasagna in the oven makes more sense if there are a few servings left and if you are not in a rush.

    Microwaving leftovers is quicker, but it can be messy. To reduce the mess when microwaving it, put the lasagna to be reheated in a bowl and place a paper towel over the bowl. I suggest microwaving in 30 second increments, until it is heated through.

    Refrigerated lasagna can be reheated in an oven at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

    More Dinner Recipes That Kids Love

    • Cooked lemon pepper chicken pieces.
      Easy Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
    • Open faced turkey burger on a bun and topped with lettuce and tomato.
      Easy Turkey Burger Recipe
    • Asian noodle bowl served on a large white plate.
      Easy Asian Noodle Bowl with Shrimp and Scallops
    • Four pieces of air fried BBQ thicken overlapping on a white plate.
      15-Minute Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

    Does your family love this lasagna for kids recipe as much as mine does? A 5-star rating is the best compliment! And of course, leaving a comment below would be appreciated!!

    Follow me on Pinterest for more healthy, kid-friendly recipes and meal inspiration!

    One serving of lasagna on a white plate with a napkin in front of the plate.

    Easy Lasagna Recipe with Cottage Cheese

    Kristi
    This timeless lasagna recipe is perfect for kids. It's made with plenty of sauce, is high in protein, and the spinach blends right in. No boiling is required and it's made without ricotta!
    4.92 from 23 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Additional Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
    Course dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 273 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Large skillet
    • 1 Mixing bowl
    • 1 Lasagna pan
    • measuring cups and spoons

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 Lasagna noodles Preferably whole wheat lasagna noodles.
    • 1 pound ground turkey
    • 1 yellow onion diced
    • 2 tablespoon avocado oil
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 10 ounces spinach I use baby spinach. Cooked and drained.
    • 2 25 ounce jars of marinara sauce
    • 8 ounces two cups shredded mozzarella cheese Part-skim mozzarella.
    • 16 ounces cottage cheese Low fat (2% milkfat).
    • ¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Shredded. I buy it pre-shredded from Costco.
    • 1 tablespoon dried Parsley
    • 1 egg
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
    • Add oil, onion, garlic, and ground turkey to a large skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until onions are softened and ground turkey is browned.
    • Add all but one cup of the marinara sauce to the ground turkey mixture. Remove from heat.
    • While the turkey is cooking, in a separate bowl, mix together the egg, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, parsley, pepper, and drained spinach. Set aside.
    • Spread one cup of the marinara sauce evenly to cover the bottom of a 9x11 baking dish coated with cooking spray.
    • Lay 4 lasagna noodles side by side, to cover the layer of sauce.
    • Spread cottage cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
    • Top with half of the mozzarella.
    • When the meat sauce (ground turkey mixed with marinara) is ready, spread half of it out over the mozzarella layer.
    • Lay 4 lasagna noodles out side by side to cover the turkey mixture.
    • Top with remaining turkey mixture.
    • Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the meat sauce, as a top layer.
    • Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. The sauce should be bubbling on the sides.
    • Let sit for five minutes to set before serving.

    Notes

    Tips for cooked spinach: I find it much easier to sauté fresh spinach than having to defrost and drain frozen spinach. I buy fresh spinach in bulk and then cook it down by sautéing it in a very small amount of avocado oil so I don't have to take the time to drain it (as if I would if I cooked it in water or used defrosted, frozen spinach).
    • I either tear the spinach leaves into smaller pieces before I add it to the skillet, or I use kitchen shears to cut the cooked spinach into smaller pieces. 
    • You can use frozen spinach instead of fresh. If using frozen, be sure to defrost it first and drain it very well.
    • While the turkey is cooking, add water and spinach to a separate medium-sized skillet. 
    • The lasagna noodles should not overlap. If needed, break some of the lasagna noodles to get it to fit the size of your baking dish.
    • I suggest using a food chopper to chop the onion.
    • I like to use fresh garlic cloves, chopped or minced. Jarred minced garlic can be used instead.
    • If you don't have garlic cloves or jarred minced garlic, you can use garlic powder instead. I'm sure garlic salt would work, too.
    • If you don't have dried parsley, Italian seasoning or oregano can be used instead.
    • Not all baking dishes are the same. You may have to break some of the sheets of lasagna noodles to get it to fit.
    • Two egg whites, or ¼ cup of egg substitute can be used in place of one egg.
    • When raw lasagna noodles are used with enough sauce and baked for the right amount of time, the pasta is al dente, just as it should be.
    • To be clear, you don't need to buy special "oven ready lasagna noodles" or "no-boil" lasagna noodles. Just use regular lasagna noodles. There is no need to cook the noodles first.
    • This recipe can be divided in two (one for now, one to freeze or give away) by using two 8x8 square baking dishes instead of a 9x13 baking dish.
    • Leftovers can be frozen to be reheated for another time.
     
    Recipe variations: 
    • Ground turkey can be substituted with grass-fed ground beef or Italian sausage.
    • To make it vegetarian lasagna, use Textured Vegetable Protein instead of ground turkey.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 273kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 28gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 422mgPotassium: 433mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2849IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 282mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anna

      September 19, 2022 at 11:58 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! This lasagna is now a family favorite

      Reply
      • Kristi

        September 21, 2022 at 1:51 pm

        Lasagna for the win! Thank you for letting me know!

        Reply
    2. Laura

      May 03, 2022 at 1:35 pm

      A meal the whole family enjoyed! Thanks for the healthy lasagna remake!

      Reply
      • Kristi

        May 04, 2022 at 2:01 am

        I'm so glad!!

        Reply
    3. Kenzie

      March 10, 2022 at 2:45 am

      5 stars
      Delicious! 😋

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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    Welcome to Carrots & Cookies! I'm a registered dietitian and busy working mom of three on a mission to provide you with easy recipes and tips to make every minute you spend in your kitchen count! More about me...

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