High Protein Cottage Cheese Lasagna

Ingredients

• 12 lasagna noodles (regular or no-boil)
• 1.5 lbs lean ground turkey (93% lean)
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 (24 oz) jar low-sugar marinara sauce
• 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 24 oz low-fat cottage cheese (small curd)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan, plus more for topping
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus leaves for garnish
• 2.5 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles 2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain and lay flat on parchment so they don't stick.

2. 2

   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the onion and cook 3 minutes, then add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. 3

   Add the ground turkey and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook 6–8 minutes until no pink remains and the bottom of the pan starts to brown — that fond is flavor.

4. 4

   Stir in the marinara, crushed tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the black pepper. Simmer 10 minutes to thicken.

5. 5

   Blend the cottage cheese until smooth in a food processor (about 30 seconds). This step is non-negotiable — blended cottage cheese reads as creamy ricotta. Stir in the egg, parmesan, basil, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.

6. 6

   Spread 1 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Layer 4 noodles, half the cottage cheese mixture, 1/3 of the remaining sauce, and 3/4 cup mozzarella. Repeat the layers once more.

7. 7

   Top with the final 4 noodles, the remaining sauce, and the last 1 cup of mozzarella plus a sprinkle of parmesan.

8. 8

   Cover with foil (tent it so the cheese doesn't stick) and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 more minutes until bubbly and deep golden on top.

9. 9

   Rest 15 minutes before slicing — this is what gives you clean, restaurant-style slices instead of a slumping mess. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.