This is the best lasagna for kids! It's made with plenty of sauce, with cottage cheese instead of ricotta, and the spinach blends right in. Even kids who prefer not to eat anything 'green', will likely make an exception when they see this!
And, this recipe is about as easy as lasagna gets! There's no need to boil the lasagna noodles (say what?!) and it's super easy to assemble. It can even be made ahead of time!
There is no need to boil the noodles, and it's made with cottage cheese (no ricotta in this lasagna recipe!). Plus, it's healthy and your kids will absolutely love it!
You don't need to buy special 'no boil' noodles, either! If you are looking for the 'best ever lasagna recipe', this is it!
I make this on busy weeknights, when having company, and when I am bringing a meal to others.
For more recipes made with ground turkey, try my Kid-Approved Turkey Burgers and Sloppy Joes recipes! And, if you happen to have leftover fresh spinach, you've got to make my Tropical Green Island Smoothie!
Why This Recipe is so Great
This timeless lasagna recipe uses cottage cheese (no ricotta) and only takes ten minutes to prepare. I've been making this for years. Your kids will love it and you will love it.
- Can be made with traditional white or whole wheat lasagna noodles.
- No boil recipe = less time, less mess, and fewer dishes!
- This lasagna can be assembled ahead of time and stored covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave or oven and eaten for lunch!
Dietitian Tip
Finding healthy recipes that the whole family love 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 kids really love, like noodles and gooey cheese!
This classic recipe does not contain any overpowering flavors, which makes it appropriate for kids who have simpler pallets. It will definitely be a household favorite.
Ingredient Notes
- 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 noodles work well, too!
- Cottage Cheese This ingredient provides protein and calcium and is great, healthy substitute for ricotta.
- Spaghetti Sauce I like to use one jar of Trader Joe's Organic Spaghetti Sauce with Mushrooms and one jar of their tomato basil marinara sauce. Use what you have, but know that the thinner the sauce, the runnier the lasagna will be.
- 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.
- Egg The egg adds protein and helps bind the 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.
- Parmesan Cheese For flavor and also to help bind the cheese mixture.
Photo Credit: amazon.com
How To Make This Lasagna 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
- Add oil, onion, garlic, and ground turkey to a large skillet. 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.
- In separate medium skillet, cook spinach. Drain and set aside.
- 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.
- While turkey is cooking, spread one cup of the marinara sauce evenly to cover the bottom of a lasagna pan or 9x13 baking dish.
- Lay 4 lasagna noodles side by side, to cover the bottom of the baking dish.
- Spread cottage cheese mixture evenly over noodles. Top with half of the mozzarella.
- When turkey and sauce are ready, spread half of the turkey mixture out over the mozzarella layer.
- Lay 4 lasagna noodles out over the turkey mixture.
- Top with remaining turkey mixture.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Let sit for five minutes to set.
Expert Tips
- Two egg whites, or ¼ cup of egg substitute can be used in place of one egg.
- This recipe can be divided in two (one for now, one to freeze or give away) by simply using two 8x8 square baking dishes instead of a 9x13 baking dish.
- Leftovers can be frozen to be reheated for another time.
- You can serve this lasagna with roasted asparagus, kale salad, fresh fruit salad, and/or garlic bread. It's super flexible!
More Dinner Recipes That Kids Love
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Lasagna For Kids
Equipment
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, add water and spinach to a separate medium-sized skillet. Cook until spinach is wilted. Drain and set aside.
- Also, 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 greased 9x11 baking dish.
- 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 over the turkey mixture.
- Top with remaining turkey mixture.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
- Let sit for five minutes to set.
Laura
A meal the whole family enjoyed! Thanks for the healthy lasagna remake!
Kristi
I'm so glad!!
Kenzie
Delicious! 😋