This Healthy Lasagna recipe is layered with protein-packed turkey and cottage cheese, fresh veggies, and noodles, all smothered in gooey, melted mozzarella.
Why you’ll love this
- Nutritious and Delicious. Loaded with veggies and protein, yet packed with traditional, yummy lasagna flavors.
- Kid Friendly. Even picky eaters will love this ooey-gooey, cheesy goodness.
- Make Ahead and Freezer Friendly. Make one for now and one for later. Perfect for when you need dinner in a pinch.
Ingredients
- Sauce – make my Healthy Turkey Bolognese for a flavorful, yet veggie packed sauce or use your favorite store-bought variety for ease.
- Cottage Cheese – cottage cheese is lower in fat and calories and full of protein! Full-fat cottage cheese will yield the creamiest texture, and richest flavor, but use a lower fat variety, if desired. Ricotta may also be used for a more traditional lasagna.
- Spices: Italian Seasoning, Basil, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, and Pepper – this simple blend of spices really gives the true lasagna flavor! Feel free to play around with additional spices such as nutmeg or red pepper flakes. Fresh garlic may be used to replace the garlic powder and fresh basil would be a great garnish.
- Eggs – I haven’t tried any sort of egg substitute, so I don’t recommend making any changes.
- Spinach – you’ll need 1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, that has been thawed and squeezed dry to prevent a watery texture. Fresh spinach that has been sautéed may also be used.
- Lasagna Noodles – “regular” lasagna noodles were tested in the original recipe, but a gluten-free, whole wheat, or a higher protein variety such as a lentil noodle should probably be fine. Regardless, I would cook the noodles two minutes less than al dente to prevent the noodles from becoming mushy.
- Cheese: Mozzarella and Parmesan – freshly shredded cheeses will melt the best, but pre-shredded cheese is fine to save on time! Want to save even more time? Find an Italian cheese blend that contains both mozzarella and parmesan.
How to make
- Make the cheese mixture: blend together the cottage cheese, spices, and eggs in a food processor until combined, then pulse in the spinach.
- Assemble: evenly layer the noodles, cheese mixture, shredded cheeses, and meat sauce in a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
- Bake and Serve: bake at 350 degrees F until the noodles are cooked and the lasagna is hot, then slice, serve and enjoy!
Variations
- Make vegetarian. Try my vegetarian lasagna or vegan lasagna instead!
- Enjoy gluten-free. Use gluten-free lasagna noodles to replace the traditional noodles.
- Make it low-carb. Swap out the noodles for thin slices of zucchini that have been patted dry.
What to serve with healthy lasagna
You can’t go wrong with classics like bread and salad!
How to make in advance
Assemble the lasagna per recipe instructions, then before baking, refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
If frozen, thaw a day ahead of time in the fridge, then bake as directed.
How to store
Leftovers will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To enjoy again, thaw overnight in the fridge, if frozen, then microwave or bake (covered) at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
– Jennifer
Healthy Lasagna
This Healthy Lasagna recipe is layered with protein-packed turkey and cottage cheese, fresh veggies, and noodles, all smothered in gooey, melted mozzarella.
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 slices
Equipment for this recipe
(equipment shown are affiliate links)
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 batch healthy turkey bolognese
Cottage Cheese Filling
- 1 (24 oz) container full fat cottage cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 (10 oz) box frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed dry
Lasagna
- 12 lasagna noodles cooked 2 minutes less than al dente according to box directions
- 1 (8 oz) package shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Sauce
- Make the turkey bolognese according to recipe directions. Set aside.
Cottage Cheese Filling
- Place cottage cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, pepper, and eggs into a food processor. Process until combined. It's okay if it's still a little chunky.
- Pulse in spinach until it’s incorporated, then set aside.
Assembly
- Spread 1 1/2 cups of sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- To assemble: Layer 4 noodles lengthwise - they will overlap slightly - that's ok. Spread with 1/3 of the cottage cheese mixture. Top with a 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella. Repeat this 2 more times.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan, then cover with foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray to prevent the cheese from sticking.
- Bake in at 350 oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes.
- Cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving!
- Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!
STORING
Room Temp:N/A
Refrigerator:4 Days
Freezer:3 Months
Reheat:Thaw, if frozen, then bake or microwave to warm
*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions
People Also Viewed
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Lasagna
Amount Per Serving (1 slice)
Calories 354 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 0.003g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 84mg28%
Sodium 1017mg44%
Potassium 875mg25%
Carbohydrates 36g12%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 31g62%
Vitamin A 4428IU89%
Vitamin C 13mg16%
Calcium 288mg29%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
Keywords: cottage cheese lasagna, healthy lasagna, healthy pasta, high protein lasagna, high protein pasta, protein lasagna, turkey lasagna