• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Carrots & Cookies
  • Home
  • About Kristi Ruth RD, CNSC, LDN
  • Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Lunch

    Lasagna For Kids

    Published: Feb 27, 2021 · Modified: Jan 26, 2022 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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!

    One square piece of lasagna.

    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 Old-Fashioned 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

    Cottage cheese, egg, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and spinach, unmixed, in glass bowl.
    • 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.
    cottage cheese and spinach mixture in a glass bowl
    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 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

    1. 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.
    2. In separate medium skillet, cook spinach. Drain and set aside.
    3. 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.
    4. While turkey is cooking, spread one cup of the marinara sauce evenly to cover the bottom of a lasagna pan or 9x13 baking dish.
    5. Lay 4 lasagna noodles side by side, to cover the bottom of the baking dish.
    6. Spread cottage cheese mixture evenly over noodles. Top with half of the mozzarella.
    7. When turkey and sauce are ready, spread half of the turkey mixture out over the mozzarella layer.
    8. Lay 4 lasagna noodles out over the turkey mixture.
    9. Top with remaining turkey mixture.
    10. Top with the remaining mozzarella. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Let sit for five minutes to set.
    Lasagna, assembled in a 9x11 baking dish.

    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

    • Easy Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
    • Easy Turkey Burger Recipe
    • Easy Asian Noodle Bowl with Shrimp and Scallops
    • 15-Minute Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

    Did you try this Lasagna For Kids recipe? Tell me how it went! Leave a comment below.

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

    one square piece of lasagna

    Lasagna For Kids

    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!
    4.89 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Additional Time 5 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 5 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, 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.

    Notes

    Try to layer the lasagna noodles so that they do not overlap.
    Do not boil the lasagna noodles.
    There is no need to buy special 'no boil' lasagna noodles.
    You can use frozen spinach instead of fresh. If using frozen, be sure to defrost it first and drain it very well.

    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!

    More Lunch

    • The BEST California Chicken Salad
    • Cold Asparagus Salad with Strawberries
    • Island Green Tropical Smoothie
    • Easy Vegan Chocolate Avocado Truffles for Kids

    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

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Kristi Ruth wearing a green long sleeved blouse and jeans, holding tri-colored carrots plated on a white oval platter with one hand and leaning on the counter with the other hand in a kitchen.
    Welcome! Kristi is a Registered Dietitian and busy mom of three, ages 7-15. After being displaced from a housefire in 2021, Kristi decided to say 'goodbye' to her long commute so she could turn her passion for sharing easy recipes and tips to help you learn what it means to feed your family well with less stress into a reality. Let's get cooking!

    Popular Recipes

    • Lasagna For Kids
    • Easy Caprese Bruschetta
    • Easy Asian Noodle Bowl with Shrimp and Scallops
    • Ultimate Homemade Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles
    • Perfectly Roasted Sweet Potato, Beets, and Parsnips for Kids
    • Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning For Kids

    Recipes for Valentine's Day and Super Bowl Sunday

    • Easiest Chocolate Cupcakes (from Scratch!)
    • Kid-Favorite Vegan Blondies with Chocolate Chips
    • Incredible 4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
    • Tortilla Chips (Air Fryer) For Kids
    • Easy Vegan Chocolate Avocado Truffles for Kids
    • The BEST Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Footer

    carrots and cookies featured in banner

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Copyright © 2020 Carrots & Cookies