Hearty Classic Lasagna Dinner Recipe with Cottage Cheese
This classic lasagna with cottage cheese has been a family favorite in our house for years. My kids ask for it every time I ask them what they want for dinner. This recipe is also my go-to when I want to bring a meal to a neighbor, family or friend who needs it, because I know it will turn out great every. single. time.
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OK!! Let’s talk about all things Lasagna! For years, lasagna has been my best dinner dish. I make it at least every other month for our family Sunday night dinner. Every Sunday we invite my adult kids over for dinner, along with their friends, neighbors, our nieces and nephews, and anyone else who needs some company on a Sunday night. Literally, as many people as we can serve.
When I first started making lasagna 25 years ago, I used the recipe on the back of an American Beauty Lasagna box. However, from the beginning, I was replacing all of the ricotta cheese with cottage cheese, because ricotta was just too expensive for me when we were young and broke.
Since then, I’ve modified the original recipe to match our preferences, and to make it heartier and super filling. The original recipe just simply doesn’t have enough cheese for our family! In fact, I routinely use 3X the amount of cheese from that classic lasagna recipe.
Over the years, I’ve perfected this recipe to be the heartiest, tastiest, and most fool-proof recipe around. Even better than the original.
And anyone who has tried my lasagna would agree, that this cheesy, cottage cheese version is the best around. Not only does it turn out every time, but I can routinely prep the whole thing in less than 15 minutes, and I can basically make it in my sleep. haha!
What I served with a Lasagna dinner
On the menu with my lasagna dinner for our big Sunday night dinner, I include:
- Lasagna- cheesy and delicious.
- A Green Salad (with whatever veggies I have on hand at the time.) Check out my huge list of green salad recipes here.
- Sometimes a Pink salad (which is a fruity cottage cheese salad)
- Sourdough bread, regular homemade bread, or rolls!
- and cookies for dessert!
Prep Ahead Lasagna
One thing I love about lasagna is that you can make and assemble the entire thing ahead of time. I like to do this to keep the kitchen clean while I prep other food, but just know, if you’re lasagna is being cooked straight from the fridge, you’ll need at least 90 minutes to bake it! It takes a long time!
Making a Meal for a Neighbor in Need
Quick transition here to explain why I’ve also been using my lasagna to take food to a neighbor. Last month, I was released from being the president of our women’s organization in my congregation. Having a job like that meant I was very aware of all the needs that families had in my neighborhood, and I could bring a meal to someone when I knew they needed it.
But, there actually weren’t that many needs! In 3 1/2 years as being the relief society president, I think we only had 2 babies born, 3 funerals, and 2 sisters going through chemotherapy. ALL the other women in my neighborhood were very eager to be the ones to serve, rather than being served. So I rarely was able to bring a meal to someone.
After I was released, I started feeling right away that I needed to find a new way to serve my neighbors. So, I was scrolling Justserve.org when I came across an organization that I had never heard of before: LASAGNA LOVE!
Lasagna Love was started by a mom who wanted to help families struggling during a difficult time by delivering a warm, homemade lasagna to their doorstep, no questions asked.
What began as one act of kindness has grown into a global movement of volunteers sharing meals and compassion in their own communities. You can sign up to make a meal for someone who could use a little love, or if you’re in a tough season yourself, you can request a lasagna delivery—made by someone nearby who cares.
If you already love cooking and enjoy the feeling of feeding others, this is such a beautiful way to give back. And my classic lasagna with cottage cheese recipe is perfect for it, it’s easy to double, travels well, and tastes even better the next day.
Lasagna Love has filled so many internal needs for me!
- I need to be in the kitchen making food for people, but my kids are grown.
- I feel I’m called to help people with with food insecurity.
- I love feeling “needed”. So many volunteer things I’ve tried left me feeling like they were making up jobs for the volunteers, just to put them to work.
- I love that I can do this in my own time and help as much or as little as I’m able to.
Originally, I signed up to bring one lasagna per month to someone. But, I love it so much, I’ve done 9 lasagnas in the past month! And each meal I’ve delivered has not only left me feeling SO good, but I get the SWEETEST texts from the recipient about how grateful they are to have a meal.
And there is a HUGE need for volunteers right now! My local leader told me that they generally have 2000 requests per week (globally I’m guessing?), but the past two weeks has been 5X that amount! The requests jumped to10K per week!!
So, without further ADO- MY CLASSIC LASAGNA RECIPE WITH COTTAGE CHEESE! (and I love making Sourdough bread to send with mine. The sourdough recipe I use is this one.
The feedback from recipients!
Obviously, I’m not making lasagnas for people in need for the accolades. I don’t expect anything in return. But, I did want to share a few of the texts I’ve received after I dropped off this lasagna.
“Well just know that all the food you brought is completely gone in full and very happy tummies! My very picky autistic 3 year old with food issues asked for more!”
“Amy- We absolutely loved dinner tonight! And we’re so grateful for your kindness in preparing everything for us. The kids are also happy with the cookies for dessert. I hope God blesses your days.”
Classic Hearty Lasagna Recipe {with Cottage Cheese}
Equipment
- 1 11 3/4 in X 9 3/8 in X 2 9/15 Half Size Deep Steam Table Foil Pan for giving away (or deep classic 9X13 lasagna pan)
Ingredients
Meat Layer
- 1 lb ground beef 90/10
- 36 ounces Spaghetti Sauce I like Hunts 1 1/2 cans
Cheese Layer
- 3 cups low fat cottage cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 ounce cream cheese
- 1 medium egg
Noodle Layer
- 12 sheets Lasagna Noodles uncooked
Instructions
Meat Layer
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. After the beef is no longer pink, add spaghetti sauce and simmer.
Cheese layer
- While beef is browning, add all ingredients for cheese layer in a bowl and stir well. (Cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, cream cheese and an egg.
Noodle Layer Assembly
- Spray the bottom of your lasagna pan with cooking spray.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of the meat/spaghetti sauce layer. Tip pan to coat the entire bottom of the pan.
- Arrange the uncooked lasagna sheets (4 across) on top of the meat layer.
- Scoop 1 1/2 cups of the cheese onto the lasagna noodles, and spread into an even layer with your spoon (I like to drop it in half cups across the pan for easier spreading.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce on top of the cheese, and spread with the back of your spoon into an even layer.
- Repeat layers 2 more times (for a total of 3 layers of noodles, 3 layers of cheese, and there will be 4 layers of meat sauce if you include the layer under the first row of noodles.)
- Sprinkle the top of your final meat layer with extra mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Spray a large piece of aluminum foil with cooking spray and cover the lasagna, pinching it around the edges to keep the steam in.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Remove foil and cook for 10 more minutes to brown the top layer of cheese.
- MOST IMPORTANTLY: Allow your lasagna to sit and cool for at least 30 minutes. This makes it easier to scoop out and keep it's shape, (rather than scooping a sloppy, soupy mess)
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Then, you’re ready to eat! Honestly, this meal takes less time in the kitchen than you would think. It’s quick, easy, and everyone loves it!
For my other Lasagna recipes, check out these!
- Hearty Classic Lasagna Dinner Recipe with Cottage Cheese
- White Chicken Lasagna {Sunday Family Dinner for a Crowd}
- Viral Low Carb Chicken Crust Pizza {2 g carbs + 19 g protein per slice}
- Low Calorie Dinner: Asian Lettuce Wraps
- Quick and Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake {Low Carb and Low Calorie}
- Protein-Packed Yogurt Parmesan Chicken Recipe for One | Low-Calorie, High Taste!
