High Protein Lazy Lasagna (Cottage Cheese Ravioli Bake)

Name: High Protein Lazy Lasagna
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 25 oz Bag Frozen Cheese Ravioli (Keep frozen); 1 lb Lean Ground Beef (96/4) or Turkey; 24 oz Jar Marinara Sauce (No sugar added preferred); 1 cup Cottage Cheese (4% Milkfat, Full Fat); 1.5 cups Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded); 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated); 1/2 medium Yellow Onion (Diced); 2 cloves Garlic (Minced); 1 tsp Italian Seasoning; 1/2 tsp Salt; 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

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Let’s be honest: making traditional lasagna is a project. Between boiling the noodles to the perfect al dente, simmering a meat sauce for hours, whisking a béchamel until your arm hurts, and layering everything perfectly, it’s a weekend event.

It is a labor of love, but on a Tuesday night after the gym? I want the cheese pull without the chore. This recipe is a staple in my rotation of 30+ High Protein Lunch Ideas because it reheats perfectly for a satisfying midday meal.

Enter the High Protein Lazy Lasagna. Instead of layering sheets, we use Frozen Cheese Ravioli as our base. It’s a “dump-and-bake” casserole that requires zero prep work—no boiling water, no chopping, and definitely no béchamel.

A slice of cheesy high protein lazy lasagna showing layers of ravioli. — High Protein Lazy Lasagna

But since ravioli is usually just a carb-bomb, we hack the macros. By mixing blended cottage cheese directly into the meat sauce, we boost the creaminess and hit a massive 30g of protein per serving. This recipe has become the ultimate “cheat code” in my High Protein Cottage Cheese Recipes collection because it delivers maximum comfort with minimal effort.

Looking for a meat-free pasta bake instead? Try my Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta for a veggie-packed alternative. And don’t forget to serve this lasagna with Garlic Cheesy Breadsticks to scoop up the extra sauce.

Table of Contents

Why Do People Use Cottage Cheese Instead of Ricotta in Lasagna?

In the fitness world, the “Lasagna recipe with cottage cheese” isn’t new, but for culinary purists, it can be controversial. Why swap the traditional, fluffy ricotta for chunky cottage cheese? The answer lies in the nutrition label.

A bubbling casserole dish of easy high protein lasagna fresh from the oven. — Easy High Protein Lasagna

Why is Cottage Cheese Healthier Than Ricotta Cheese?

Ricotta is delicious, but it is calorie-dense and relatively lower in protein compared to its curdled cousin.

The Stats: A cup of part-skim ricotta has about 340 calories and 19g of protein. A cup of low-fat cottage cheese has about 180 calories and 28g of protein.
The Efficiency: Cottage cheese is the macro-winner. It gives you significantly more protein for far fewer calories.
The Cost: Practicality matters. Cottage cheese is usually half the price of high-quality ricotta at the grocery store.

Why is Cottage Cheese Not Fattening?

Despite being dairy, cottage cheese is a staple in weight loss diets because it is a high-volume, low-energy-density food.

Volume: It contains a high percentage of water, meaning you can eat a large portion (volume) for relatively few calories.
Satiety: The high protein content increases satiety (fullness hormones), preventing you from overeating. This High protein lasagna recipe creates a meal that physically fills your stomach without blowing your daily caloric budget.

Does Cottage Cheese Boost Your Metabolism?

Yes, indirectly! Cottage cheese is rich in Casein protein, which is distinct from the whey protein found in milk or shakes.

The Thermic Effect: High protein intake increases the “Thermic Effect of Food” (TEF), meaning your body burns more calories digesting protein than it does digesting fats or carbs.
Slow Digestion: Casein forms a gel in the stomach and digests slowly over several hours. This provides a steady stream of amino acids to your muscles (perfect for overnight recovery) and keeps your metabolism active for longer.

Ingredients for Easy High Protein Lasagna

This recipe relies on “pantry & freezer” staples. You can keep all of these ingredients on hand for those nights when you absolutely do not want to cook.

Ingredients for lazy lasagna including frozen ravioli and cottage cheese. — Lazy Lasagna With Cottage Cheese Ingredients

1. Frozen Cheese Ravioli

This is the “Lazy” secret.

No Thaw Needed: You bake them straight from frozen. The moisture from the sauce cooks the pasta perfectly in the oven.
Brand: You can grab a big bag of Sam’s Club Lasagna style ravioli, Kroger brand, or any generic cheese ravioli.
What is the healthiest pasta to eat? For this recipe, look for whole wheat ravioli or those filled with spinach/ricotta mixes. If you want specialized high-protein sheets, brands like Banza exist, but for the true “Lazy” version, frozen ravioli is king.

2. The Meat Sauce Base

Lean Ground Beef: I use 96/4 lean ground beef to keep the fat content low while maximizing protein. Ground Turkey is also an excellent option that absorbs the sauce flavors well.
Marinara: Use a jar of high-quality marinara (like Rao’s or Victoria) to save time. Look for one with no added sugar.

3. The “Cream” (Cottage Cheese)

Full Fat: Use 4% milkfat cottage cheese. We blend it until smooth to replace the traditional Béchamel sauce. It mixes with the red sauce to create a rich, creamy “Pink Sauce” vibe.
Texture: Blending is non-negotiable here. Unblended curds can get rubbery in the oven.

4. The Melty Top

Mozzarella: Freshly shredded low-moisture mozzarella is crucial for that bubble-and-brown crust.
Parmesan: A dusting on top adds that salty, nutty bite.

How to Make Lazy Lasagna with Cottage Cheese (Step-by-Step)

This is a true one-pan meal prep hero.

Step 1: The Meat Sauce

Simmering meat sauce for the high protein lasagna base. — High Protein Lasagna Meat Sauce

Brown the lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a diced onion and minced garlic if you have time (or just use garlic powder for the lazy route). Drain any excess fat. Stir in the jar of marinara sauce and let it simmer for 2 minutes.

Step 2: The Protein Hack

While the sauce simmers, blend the cottage cheese in a high-speed blender or food processor until it is completely liquid and smooth.

Mixing blended cottage cheese into the meat sauce for lasagna. — Lasagna Recipe With Cottage Cheese Hack

The Mix: Pour the blended cottage cheese directly into the skillet with the meat sauce. Stir until it turns a creamy, light orange color. This ensures the protein is distributed evenly throughout the Easy high protein lasagna, rather than sitting in a separate layer.

Step 3: The Dump

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish.

Layering frozen ravioli and sauce in a baking dish. — Frozen Ravioli Lasagna Assembly

Layer 1: Spoon a thin layer of the creamy meat sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking.
Layer 2: Arrange half of the Frozen ravioli lasagna pieces in a single layer.
Layer 3: Pour over half of the remaining sauce and sprinkle with half the mozzarella.
Repeat: Add the rest of the ravioli, the rest of the sauce, and the rest of the cheese.

Step 4: The Bake

Cover: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. The steam trapped inside will cook the frozen ravioli.
Uncover: Remove the foil. Bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling, golden brown, and the sauce is bubbling up the sides.
Rest: Let it sit for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the sauce to thicken up so it doesn’t run all over the plate.

Variations: Vegetarian & Ricotta Swaps

This base recipe is incredibly flexible.

High Protein Lazy Lasagna Vegetarian

Skip the meat entirely.

Vegetarian lasagna sauce using white beans for protein. — Vegetarian High Protein Lasagna

The Swap: Stir a can of drained white beans, lentils, or even meatless crumbles into the marinara sauce.
The Base: You can even use my High Protein Tomato Soup recipe as a thick base sauce if you want to make it from scratch.

High Protein Lazy Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese

High protein lasagna made with a ricotta and egg white mixture. — High Protein Ricotta Lasagna

If you are a purist and just can’t do cottage cheese:

The Swap: Use part-skim ricotta cheese. To boost the protein (since ricotta is lower), mix the ricotta with 2 egg whites and a scoop of unflavored protein powder before layering. I still prefer the Lazy lasagna with cottage cheese texture, but this works!

Counter Lazy Lasagna Style

Lazy lasagna scoop with a visible layer of spinach. — Lazy Lasagna with Spinach and Spice

If you want to mimic the viral TikTok recipes:

The Greens: Add a layer of thawed, squeezed-dry frozen spinach between the ravioli layers.
The Spice: Add extra garlic powder and Italian seasoning to the cottage cheese blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lasagne ok for weight loss?

Traditional lasagna? Usually not. It is typically a calorie bomb of fat and carbs. But this High Protein Lasagna Recipe is designed specifically for weight loss. By prioritizing protein (30g+) and controlling the fat with cottage cheese and lean beef, it becomes a balanced, satiating meal rather than a cheat meal.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! This is a perfect meal prep recipe. Assemble the entire casserole (sauce, frozen ravioli, cheese), cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
– Note: You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time since you are starting with a cold dish.

Can I use fresh ravioli?

I don’t recommend it for a “dump and bake” casserole. Fresh pasta cooks extremely fast (2-3 minutes) and releases a lot of starch. In the oven, it tends to turn mushy and fall apart before the sauce is bubbly. Frozen ravioli has a firmer structure that holds up to the 40-minute bake time.

How to reheat lasagna without drying it out?

Lasagna often dries out in the fridge as the pasta absorbs the sauce.
– The Fix: Splash a tablespoon of water or extra marinara sauce over the square. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350°F until warmed through. This steams the moisture back into the pasta.

Does it taste sour?

No. This is the biggest misconception about cooking with cottage cheese. Once it is blended and mixed with savory meat sauce, garlic, and mozzarella, the “tang” disappears completely. It just tastes rich, creamy, and cheesy.

Conclusion

This recipe is the cheat code for Italian night—high protein, low effort, and maximum cheese pull. It allows you to put a hearty, family-friendly dinner on the table in under an hour with barely any cleanup. The High Protein Lazy Lasagna proves that you don’t need to spend your Sunday afternoon layering noodles to enjoy a comfort food classic.

A serving of lazy lasagna in a white large bowl ready to eat — Lazy Lasagna With Cottage Cheese Serving

Craving a white sauce version? Try my High Protein Mac and Cheese for a creamy, cheddar-based pasta bake.

High Protein Lazy Lasagna (Cottage Cheese Ravioli Bake)

Why Do People Use Cottage Cheese Instead of Ricotta in Lasagna?

Why is Cottage Cheese Healthier Than Ricotta Cheese?

Why is Cottage Cheese Not Fattening?

Does Cottage Cheese Boost Your Metabolism?