The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (2024)

byChristine |Less Meat| 04.23.18

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The cheesiest, gooiest, creamiest, BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe for dinner tonight. All of the goodness of classic lasagna, but lightened up and loaded with healthy ingredients for a skinny version of the original recipe!

The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (1)

The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (2)

Anyone ever just REALLY want pasta for dinner? Pfft. I mean obviously, right?

Like basically e’ry day.

The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (3)

Thankfully, there are plenty of healthy pasta recipes to make the world go ’round on here:

  • Turmeric Sweet Potato Pasta Salad
  • Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
  • Garlic Chickpea Spaghetti Squash

The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (4)The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (5)

This Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe is one of my new go-to weeknight dinners!

Y’all. It truly is the best!

Clearly, the healthy comfort food life is what I’m all about. I’ve made this recipe once a week for the past 5 weeks! And since this recipe serves 6, the leftovers are truly something to look forward to. Just layer the ingredients into this casserole dish, bake, and enjoy!

The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (6)

SO perfect for those cheesy pasta cravings! Enjoy, friend 😉

The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (7)

The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (8)The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (9)The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (10)The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (11)The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (12)

4.63 from 335 votes

Print Recipe

The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe

The cheesiest, gooiest, creamiest, BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe for dinner tonight. All of the goodness of classic lasagna, but lightened up and loaded with healthy ingredients for a skinny version of the original recipe!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 331 kcal

Author: Christine McMichael

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1/4 onion (chopped)
  • 2 zucchini (medium)
  • 1 summer squash (medium)
  • 15 oz. whole tomatoes (canned)
  • 10 oz. tomato sauce
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 6 uncooked lasagna noodles
  • 10 oz. cottage cheese (small curd)
  • 1/2 cup parmesan (grated)
  • 1 cup mozzarella (shredded)
  • salt/pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

  • Cook the chopped onion and ground beef until the beef is fully cooked.

  • While the beef is cooking, cut the zucchini and summer squash into small, 1/4" - 1/2" cubes.

  • Once the beef is done cooking, set aside and drain.

  • Cook the zucchini and summer squash for about 10 minutes.

  • Add in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and spices.

  • Continue cooking over medium heat for another 15 minutes, stirring often.

  • Add the cooked beef and onions back into the tomato sauce mixture and stir.

  • Pour about 1/2 of the tomato sauce mixture into a 8" x 10" casserole dish.

  • Place 3 of the lasagna noodles on top of the mixture (breaking each one in half if necessary), pressing each one down so that it's covered with about 1/4" of the tomato mixture on top.

  • Add 1/2 of the cottage cheese to the casserole dish.

  • Top with 1/2 of the parmesan and 1/2 of the mozzarella.

  • Repeat steps 9-12 with the remaining ingredients.

  • Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

  • Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes.

  • Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Carbs: 35 Fat: 10 Protein: 26

Nutrition

Calories: 331 kcal

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @jar.of.lemons or tag #JarOfLemons!

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103 Comments

  1. Nancy says:

    The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (17)
    I’ve made this recipe a dozen times. It is fantastic as written and I’ve modified depending on what vegetables I have on hand. It’s also great with turkey sausage. Perfect for whenever a cozy, healthy meal is warranted.

    Reply

    • Jar Of Lemons replied:

      Thanks for leaving a review, Nancy! So glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply

  2. Darlene V says:

    The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (18)
    I made this for my picky kids, just blended up the veggies before re-adding the beef. They absolutely LOVED IT! I then made a purely vegetarian version for my friend after she gave birth. Her family loved it too and didn’t miss the meat! I’m definitely keeping this in regular rotation! It’s the perfect fall and winter comfort dish that’s deceptively healthy. Wow!

    Reply

    • Christine McMichael replied:

      Thank you so much, Darlene! I’m so glad to hear you, your family, and your friend loved this recipe. It’s one of my faves, too! 🙂

      Reply

    • Christine McMichael replied:

      Yes, absolutely!

      Reply

  3. Rachelle says:

    The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (19)
    I made this recipe in April & loved it so much I made it about 5 more times within a month! Just about to make it again. So good! I added a little bit extra onion, cheeses & herbs. I also used 3 zucchini’s & no squash.

    Reply

    • Jar Of Lemons replied:

      Thanks for making this! So glad you like it!

      Reply

  4. Kathy Echevarria says:

    Do you cook the squash and zucchini in some butter or oil?

    Reply

    • Christine McMichael replied:

      Yes, either option is great!

      Reply

  5. Diana says:

    Hi! Do you know if you can substitute almond flour lasagna noodles?

    Reply

    • Christine McMichael replied:

      Hi Diana! I have never tried this. I would think that would work, but the texture may be a bit different. You’ll have to let me know how it turns out if you try it!

      Reply

  6. Amy L says:

    The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (20)
    Absolutely delicious! I was skeptical of the cottage cheese and veggies, but seriously this was sooo good. I went a little heavier on the seasonings and I have no complaints! We will definitely make this one again!

    Reply

  7. Valerie says:

    If I prepare and bake lasagna the night before I serve it, can I just cover and reheat?
    Do I need to add additional sauce when I reheat?

    Reply

    • Christine McMichael replied:

      Hi Valerie! Although I haven’t specifically tried this, I know that the leftovers reheat deliciously. So I can imagine that the entire lasagna would reheat well! If you are reheating it in the oven, I would add a layer of foil over the dish to keep the moisture in. But I don’t think you should need to add any additional sauce.

      Reply

  8. Elizabeth says:

    The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (21)
    This recipe is awesome! Admittedly I was hesitant about not boiling the noodles first, the cottage cheese, etc., but I followed the recipe as-is and it turned out perfectly; we loved it! Definitely saving this as a favorite recipe to be made again 🙂 The only thing I did sightly differently was added extra basil, parsley, and garlic powder. I’m sure the written amount is fine, but I just wanted extra flavor and I wasn’t disappointed. Thank you for this recipe!

    Reply

  9. Andrea says:

    Very delish! I made this in a 9×13 baking dish. I was skeptical about not cooking the noodles but it’s not necessary – everything was cooked to perfection. I swapped turkey for the beef but think I’ll try beef next time because I like the flavor better.

    Reply

  10. Chit says:

    Hi Christine! I made this healthy lasagna tonight and it was a hit. Thank you for this recipe. BTW, I used whole grain pasta for my husband who is diabetic.

    Reply

  11. Lauren says:

    The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (22)
    10/10 best lasagna I think I’ve ever had. I love that there are so many veggies in this and it tastes amazing!

    Reply

  12. Teresa says:

    The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (23)
    Love this! Just one question – the recipe calls for whole tomatoes, do they cook down and separate?

    Reply

    • Christine McMichael replied:

      Yes, they should cook down! Personally I don’t mind the texture, but if you prefer a smoother texture for your sauce then you can use diced tomatoes (drained) instead. I hope you enjoy the recipe!

      Reply

  13. Heather says:

    Is it possible to prep this (cook the meat and such and put it together)and then freeze it rather than cooking it in the oven? Thaw it and cook it later? I’m meal prepping for four months and am needing to make four of these.

    Reply

    • Christine McMichael replied:

      Absolutely! That should work great. I hope you enjoy the recipe!

      Reply

  14. Nat says:

    My picky son absolutely loves this lasagna. We use ground turkey and now that he’s older he also enjoys helping to make it.

    Reply

« Older Comments

The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to a good lasagna? ›

Ricotta Béchamel Is the Secret to the Best Lasagna

The creamy béchamel melts in your mouth and together with the fresh herbs, it really balances out the hearty flavor of the meat sauce." Of course we're used to seeing ricotta cheese in lasagna, but it usually gets awkwardly spread across each layer in uneven piles.

Is lasagna healthy, yes or no? ›

Overconsumption of lasagna increases the fat content, which leads to heart disease or strokes in some cases. Ingestion of high carbohydrates might have a chance to increase sugar levels, which may become dangerous for diabetes. Portion control promotes digestive health, whereas overeating promotes indigestion.

What to add to lasagna to make it taste better? ›

Sugar: Two tablespoons of white sugar add subtle sweetness and enhance the flavor of the sauce. Spices and seasonings: This lasagna recipe is flavored with fresh parsley, dried basil leaves, salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper.

What not to do when making lasagna? ›

A well-made lasagna can be a delicious and satisfying meal, just as long as it's cooked correctly.
  1. Not cooking the noodles correctly. ...
  2. Not having all the ingredients ready. ...
  3. Not browning the meat. ...
  4. Using the wrong cheese. ...
  5. Skipping the dairy sauce. ...
  6. Skimping on the amount of marinara. ...
  7. Improperly layering the noodles.
Feb 21, 2023

Should you bake lasagna covered or uncovered? ›

In an oven preheated to 375 degrees F, this homemade lasagna should be perfectly baked in about 50 minutes (30-40 minutes covered, 5-10 minutes uncovered).

Why do you put milk in lasagna? ›

Milk. It tenderises the meat, to leave you with the most tender ragù.

Can I eat lasagna and still lose weight? ›

Yes, you can eat pasta and still stick to your weight loss goals and lose fat. The main consideration to keep in mind when making food choices while trying to lose weight is to remain in a calorie deficit. Very simply, if your body uses more calories than you consume, then you will lose weight.

Why is lasagna considered unhealthy? ›

8. Is lasagne healthy? Lasagne is a classic comfort food, but can be high in saturated fat and salt, because of the bechamel sauce, mince and cheese. A large portion can contain over 1000kcals, which is half of what most of us need in a day.

Can I eat lasagna to lose weight? ›

But the aspects we love about lasagna — the creaminess, the gooey cheese, the tomato sauce — can still be incorporated into a healthy dish. By making some thoughtful swaps and by scaling back on some particularly deleterious ingredients lasagna can be included in any healthy dinner line up.

What is the best cheese for lasagna? ›

We love whole milk ricotta, mascarpone, parmesan, mozzarella, and fontina cheese. While ricotta is a staple in lasagna, combining it with the mascarpone creates the absolute best cheese filling. The result is a rich, creamy layer that perfectly complements the sauce and noodles.

Why add tomato paste to lasagna? ›

Tomato Sauce & Paste: An important component in lasagna. Choosing your favorite tomato sauce will guarantee that you'll love this recipe. A good tomato paste helps to thicken but also adds a sweet and savory umami flavor.

How to improve your lasagna? ›

7 Secrets for Making Better Lasagna
  1. Treat Your Pasta Right.
  2. Follow the Proper Method for Boiling Noodles.
  3. Decide on Ricotta.
  4. Consider Your Layering Strategy.
  5. Leave Top Sheet Overhangs for Crispy Magic.
  6. Err on the Side of Under-Baking.
  7. Make Extra Sauce for Serving.
Jul 21, 2022

Does lasagna cook better in glass or metal? ›

Some acidic bakes (like fruit cobblers) and lasagna or casserole (containing tomatoes, citrus, or other acidic fruit) may bake best in a glass dish, to prevent the metal from reacting to the acidic ingredients.

How many layers should a lasagna have? ›

Top the last layer of your lasagna with sauce and cheese. You can also alternate layers of sauce and ricotta cheese. Most lasagna recipes have two to three layers.

Should I bake lasagna in glass or metal? ›

Acidic ingredients like tomatoes and citrus can react with aluminum (the most common metal used in bakeware), creating a metallic taste in your food. This is why lasagna and other casseroles with acidic ingredients are often baked in glass.

How do you keep lasagna from being soupy? ›

Whether you're making a tomato and meat sauce from scratch or using a jarred sauce, you can thicken it with cornstarch to prevent the problem of a soupy lasagna. Cornstarch is a classic binding ingredient that won't affect the sauce's flavor and is much more effective than flour.

How to stop lasagne from being sloppy? ›

How can I keep lasagna from being a mushy mess? The best way is to keep your ingredients dry. Cook your pasta sauce long enough to boil out most of the moisture so the sauce is thick.

Which is better for lasagna cottage or ricotta? ›

The key to creating the absolute best lasagna is to use a combination of ricotta and cottage cheese. Ricotta brings the rich creaminess while cottage cheese lightens things up and seasons the whole dish. For even more cheese, we recommend also using shredded Mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano).

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