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.

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.

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

Description

This High Protein Lazy Lasagna is the ultimate weeknight dinner hack. By using frozen ravioli and blending cottage cheese into the meat sauce, you get a decadent, 30g protein meal without boiling any noodles or making a béchamel. Just dump, bake, and enjoy!

Ingredients

Scale

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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Instructions

Preheat: Set oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
Brown Meat: In a large skillet, cook ground beef with onions and garlic until browned. Drain excess fat.
Simmer: Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Blend: While sauce cooks, blend the cottage cheese in a blender until completely smooth and creamy.
Mix: Pour the blended cottage cheese directly into the meat sauce skillet. Stir to combine into a creamy pink sauce.
Layer: Spread a little sauce in the dish. Add half the frozen ravioli. Top with half the remaining sauce and half the mozzarella. Repeat layers. Top with parmesan.
Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Vegetarian: Swap beef for white beans or lentils.
Make Ahead: Assemble the day before and bake when ready (add 10 mins to cook time).
Frozen Only: Do not use fresh ravioli; it will get mushy.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Category: Dinner
Method: Oven Bake
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Slice (1/6th of pan)
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 780 mg
Fat: 16 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 32 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg