Across photo of healthy lasagna recipe slice being taken out of dish.
4.64 from 356 votes
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The cheesiest, gooiest, creamiest, BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe for dinner tonight. I've been making this recipe for YEARS and it's still one of my family's favorites! And with 340+ 5-star reviews, this is truly the best healthy dinner idea. All of the goodness of classic lasagna, but lightened up, made with better-for-you ingredients, and higher protein (40 grams) for a healthy version of the original recipe!

Prep: 5 Cook: 30 Baking Time: 45 Total: 80
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Cottage Cheese Lasagna Recipe

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Common Questions

Is Lasagna Healthy?

Yes! This healthy lasagna recipe is made with lean protein, veggies, and wholesome ingredients, making it a nutritious option for dinner. By using lean ground beef, adding veggies like zucchini, and opting for cottage cheese instead of heavy ricotta, it keeps the dish lower in calories and fat while still being satisfying, higher in protein, and delicious!

Why add cottage cheese to lasagna?

Cottage cheese is a fantastic alternative to ricotta in lasagna recipes because it’s lighter in fat and higher in protein. Plus, it has a creaminess that blends beautifully with the rest of the ingredients, giving you that rich texture.

The cheesiest, gooiest, creamiest, BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe for dinner tonight. I’ve been making this recipe for YEARS and it’s still one of my family’s favorites! And with 340+ 5-star reviews, this is truly the best healthy dinner idea. All of the goodness of classic lasagna, but lightened up, made with better-for-you ingredients, and higher protein (40 grams) for a healthy version of the original recipe!

This is The Best Lasagna Recipe Ever!

There’s something SO magical about a warm, cheesy lasagna on a busy weeknight! And as a busy mom of 3, the fact that you can put it together in just 30 minutes and then set it in the oven for hands-off baking time is truly the best. This Easy Healthy Lasagna has been our family favorite for years and it’s truly the BEST healthy comfort food recipe! Made with lean ground beef, fresh veggies, and a creamy cottage cheese filling (instead of ricotta), this lasagna is not only delicious but also higher in protein for a healthy dinner idea that leaves you feeling full and happy.

What I love most about this lasagna is how simple it is to make. With minimal prep and easy-to-find ingredients, this easy, healthy dinner is on the table in no time. Plus, it’s one of those recipes that tastes even better the next day, so it’s great as leftovers or a make-ahead meal! I’m completely obsessed with this cottage cheese lasagna recipe and I know you’ll love it, too!

RELATED: Protein Pasta Recipe

Top shot of healthy lasagna recipe with a wooden spoon taking out a slice.

Simple Lasagna Recipe Ingredients

The ingredients in this recipe are simple and easy to find! Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Lean Ground Beef: Adds heartiness and flavor without extra fat. You can also sub in ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option!
  • Diced Onion: Adds depth to the dish and pairs perfectly with the beef.
  • Zucchini & Summer Squash: These veggies sneak in extra nutrition without overpowering the dish. Finely diced so they blend right into the sauce!
  • Canned Tomatoes & Tomato Sauce: A mix of whole tomatoes and tomato sauce gives the lasagna that classic, rich flavor.
  • Seasoning: Measure out the ingredients for your own homemade seasoning (in the recipe below), or feel free to substitute it with 7 teaspoons of Italian Seasoning! (opens in a new tab)
  • Cottage Cheese: (opens in a new tab) This is where the magic happens—cottage cheese makes the lasagna creamy while adding a ton of protein.
  • Parmesan & Mozzarella Cheese: For that gooey, cheesy top that everyone loves!
  • Lasagna Noodles: Oven-ready lasagna noodles (opens in a new tab) make this recipe even quicker to assemble—no boiling required. Feel free to use higher protein lasagna noodles or gluten-free lasagna noodles, (opens in a new tab) instead!
Ingredients for The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe.

How to Make Lasagna With Cottage Cheese

Making cottage cheese lasagna is actually SO easy! Here’s how to make the best healthy lasagna recipe:

  1. Cook the ground beef and onions until the beef is fully browned, then set aside. In the same pan, sauté the diced zucchini and summer squash until softened.
  2. Make the sauce by adding the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and spices to the pan with the squash. Let everything simmer together before adding the cooked beef and onions back in.
  3. Assemble the lasagna by layering the sauce, lasagna noodles, cottage cheese, and shredded parmesan and mozzarella in a 9×13” baking dish. Repeat the layers and finish with a top layer of sauce and cheese!
  4. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15 minutes to let the cheese get nice and bubbly.
Meat sauce for healthy lasagna recipe.
Sauce and lasagna noodles in a casserole dish.
Cottage cheese and healthy sauce over noodles for lasagna.
Healthy cottage cheese lasagna topped with mozzarella and parmesan.
Baked Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe in a dish.

Make This Cottage Cheese Lasagna in Advance

It’s so easy to make this lasagna ahead of time! Assemble the recipe the night before or even in the morning, then cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to cook. If you want to freeze it for later, simply wrap the unbaked lasagna in plastic wrap and foil (or place it in a glass casserole dish with an airtight lid), then freeze it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, bake it straight from the freezer (just add 15-20 minutes to the baking time)!

You’ll Also Love: Creamy Protein Soup

Cottage Cheese Lasagna Recipe Variations

Vegetarian: Skip the ground beef and load up on more veggies like chopped spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for a veggie-packed lasagna.

Ground Turkey Lasagna: Easily swap the lean ground beef for lean ground turkey!

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles to make this recipe gluten-free without sacrificing any flavor.

Low-Carb: Try using thinly sliced zucchini in place of the lasagna noodles for a low-carb version. I love this healthy substition and it’s still SO delicious!

Angled photo of healthy lasagna with a spoon taking out a slice.

How to Store Lasagna With Cottage Cheese

  • Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave or pop a slice into the oven until it’s evenly warmed through.
  • Freezer: You can freeze the fully assembled, cooked lasagna for up to 3 months! Just place it in an airtight container (or individual containers) and freeze it. When ready to enjoy, reheat it straight from the freezer in the microave or oven!

TIP: This is actually one of my favorite freezer meals to take to mom friends who just had a baby or need a meal delivered!

Cottage Cheese Lasagna Recipe FAQs

Sliced healthy cottage cheese lasagna in a casserole dish.

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Across photo of healthy lasagna recipe slice being taken out of dish.
ServingsServes 6
4.64 from 356 votes

Simple Lasagna Recipe

The cheesiest, gooiest, creamiest, BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe for dinner tonight. I've been making this recipe for YEARS and it's still one of my family's favorites! And with 340+ 5-star reviews, this is truly the best healthy dinner idea. All of the goodness of classic lasagna, but lightened up, made with better-for-you ingredients, and higher protein (40 grams) for a healthy version of the original recipe!
Prep: 5 minCook: 30 minBaking Time: 45 minTotal: 1 hr 20 min
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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup diced onion (chopped)
  • 2 cups finely diced zucchini (about 2 small or 1 medium/large zucchini)
  • 1 cup finely diced summer squash (about 1 medium /large summer squash)
  • 1 15 ounce can whole tomatoes (2 cups, or crushed tomatoes if preferred)
  • 1 10 ounce can tomato sauce (1 1/4 cups)
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 6 ounces uncooked, oven-ready lasagna noodles (opens in a new tab) (8 noodles)
  • 16 ounces low-fat cottage cheese (opens in a new tab)
  • 1 cup shredded parmesan
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Cook the chopped onion and ground beef until the beef is fully cooked over medium-high heat in a large pan with high sides (about 10 minutes).
  3. While the beef is cooking, cut the zucchini and summer squash into small, 1/4″ – 1/2″ cubes.
  4. Once the beef is done cooking, set aside and drain.
  5. Cook the zucchini and summer squash for about 7-10 minutes.
  6. Add in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and spices.
  7. Continue cooking over medium heat for another 7-10 minutes, stirring often and breaking down the whole tomatoes with a spatula.
  8. Add the cooked beef and onions back into the tomato sauce mixture and stir.
  9. Pour about 1/4 of the tomato sauce mixture into a 9×13" casserole dish.
  10. Place 4 of the lasagna noodles on top of the mixture, then add another 1/4 of the sauce on top of the noodles.
  11. Add 1/2 of the cottage cheese to the casserole dish.
  12. Top with 1/2 of the parmesan and 1/2 of the mozzarella.
  13. Repeat steps 9-12 with the remaining ingredients.
  14. Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  15. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes.
  16. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve warm and enjoy!

Watch Me Make This

Notes

Make-Ahead: Assemble the recipe the night before or even in the morning, then cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to cook. If you want to freeze it for later, simply wrap the unbaked lasagna in plastic wrap and foil (or place it in a glass casserole dish with an airtight lid), then freeze it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, bake it straight from the freezer (just add 15-20 minutes to the baking time)!
Tips:
  • Feel free to swap the whole tomatoes with crushed tomatoes if preferred!
  • While cooking the sauce, break down the whole tomatoes with a spatula for a smoother sauce texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Slice | Calories: 407 kcal | Carbohydrates: 28 g | Protein: 40 g | Fat: 15 g | Saturated Fat: 8 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g | Trans Fat: 0.3 g | Cholesterol: 99 mg | Sodium: 1568 mg | Potassium: 636 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 5 g | Vitamin A: 449 IU | Vitamin C: 12 mg | Calcium: 400 mg | Iron: 3 mg

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What Do You Think

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133 Comments

  1. Hunter

    I’ve made this recipe a few times and I really love it! Turns out great and is very tasty and easy to make. However, I find 10oz of sauce way too little and have found more success with a 24oz jar. I also halve the salt and double the parsley for my own preferences. This recipe also easily makes 8 servings and I love freezing individual slices as I live alone. Will remake again and again!

    Reply
    1. JOL Team

      So glad you love the recipe Hunter! Thanks for sharing!

  2. Michael Quimby

    I make a layer in the middle of spinach and pesto!

    Reply
    1. JOL Team

      Spinach and pesto is definitely a tasty addition! Thanks for sharing!

  3. Sarina

    I absolutely love this recipe, but my daughter doesn’t like squash and zucchini. Can I substitute other vegetables? What do you recommend?

    Reply
    1. Michael Quimby

      I have found that adding a layer of fresh spinach and pesto in the middle layers of the lasagna really elevates the flavor profile; it’s incredibly delicious and adds a nice, fresh twist to the dish!

      1. JOL Team

        I love the addition of spinach and pesto! So glad you enjoy it!

    2. JOL Team

      Hey Sarina, I totally understand that. My kids also don’t care for squash and zucchini. Chopping them up small made a huge difference for us (they didn’t even know it was in there!) However, spinach, mushrooms, and even bell peppers are all great in this too. Really you can add almost any veggie. Hope this helps!

  4. Jessica Horg

    This was very tasty and I didn’t feel guilty eating it! Can the left overs be frozen? If so, any tips?

    Reply
    1. JOL Team

      Hey Jessica, so glad you loved it! Yes, the leftovers can be frozen! Leftover lasagna can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just place it in an airtight container (or individual containers) and freeze it. When ready to enjoy, reheat it straight from the freezer in the microwave or oven.

  5. Kim

    How long do you think you could keep it in the refrigerator before baking?

    Reply
    1. Christine

      I would say about 24 hours at the most!

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