Sometimes, all you need in life is a steamy plate of pasta with gooey, melty cheese bubbling on the top.
I mean, I usually prefer the flavors of asian cuisine, but I do love me a good plate of pasta- one of my favorites being lasagna. There’s something so comforting about throwing everything and the kitchen sink into a pan and letting all of those delicious ingredients meld together in a savory symphony.
There is, however, a secret ingredient in this that TOTALLY blows it away and makes all the difference in lasagna for me!
That being said, I’m usually pretty picky about exactly how I like my lasagna and have yet to taste one better than that of my Grandma’s. I actually find it pretty funny that the original recipe came from a tiny asian woman instead of an Italian cookbook! She uses this cottage cheese instead of ricotta, which makes the lasagna more savory than sweet tasting and, in my personal opinion, much tastier.
Another thing I love about this recipe is that is was so easy to lighten up, yet still stay mouthwatering!
It’s packed full of protein, has less than 400 calories per hefty serving, and you could easily add some chopped vegetables to get in an extra serving of veggies.
Fast, healthy, and delicious! This healthy skillet lasagna is my kind of dinner.
Enjoy!
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Ksenija @ Health Ninja says
That sounds so interesting – I never thought of a deconstructed Lasagna before. Especially the idea of using cottage cheese instead of ricotta sounds tempting!
Christine Skari says
It’s SO delicious! I think that’s why Ive never liked lasagna in restaurants too much before. The ricotta makes it too sweet for a savory dish!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Thats so funny how your grandma makes the best lasagna in your eyes- the best non asian food I’ve eaten (spaghetti, greek, etc) was all made by my dad’s side who is Asian and my mum, who is not, makes the BEST Asian food. Strange complex.
I love cottage cheese and love lasagna, so another recipe to add to the list!
Christine Skari says
Hahah that’s too funny! What ethnicity are you, if you don’t mind me asking :)?
Jessie says
Ive never thought to use cottage cheese instead of ricotta. May have to try that swap out next time.
p.s. did you change your page photo? You look stunning girl.
Christine Skari says
You definitely should try it!
I did! Thanks so much! 😀
Miss Polkadot says
If I wasn’t a vegetarian I’d totally ask you to have me over for dinner tonight :). Nonetheless lasagna is great and your recipe sounds awesome. I’d never thought of preparing it in a skillet before.
Christine Skari says
Hahaha I could easily whip up some veggies for ya ;). It’s delicious and fast that way!
Shawn @ Fruity 'N' Nutty says
I discovered this post just in time. I love lasagna and have been craving it for a really long time. However, most of the restaurant versions seem way too rich for me. This healthy skillet lasagna seems like the perfect match. By the way, do you recommend any other type of cheese I can substitute for the cottage cheese? It’s really hard to find cottage cheese where I live. Thanks. 😀
Christine Skari says
I agree! They’re so heavy that just eating a few bites make me feel gross. Hmm, you could always just add in more mozzarella if you have that on hand! Ricotta and cottage cheese usually work as substitutes for each other, but like I mentioned before, I find ricotta to be too sweet in lasagna! Bummer that it’s hard to find!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
Your first sentence basically says it all – sometimes there really is nothing like a plate topped with gooey melty cheese <3 And prepping lasagna in a skillet? Brilliant idea! Definitely saving this recipe for the next time an Italian craving hits
Christine Skari says
Hahah I totally agree! It worked out better than I expected 😀
Natasha says
Wow that looks really delicious!
And I totally know what you are saying because these past couple of weeks I’ve been craving cheese and very comforting foods like a mad woman! I think im addicted to cheese….
haha
Christine Skari says
Hahah I don’t blame you… especially when it’s all melty and heavenly!
Leslee @ Her Happy Balance says
This sounds absolutely delicious. I love the idea of subbing cottage cheese for ricotta. That alone has to lighten up the recipe. And the picture looks gorgeous, yum!
Christine Skari says
It actually tastes better lightened up! Love it when a recipe does that haha!
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says
That looks really good (and easy!). The cottage cheese idea is interesting, I never would think of that.
Christine Skari says
It was ridiculously easy and made plenty of leftovers :D. Trust me on this one, it works!
Meghan @ fitnesscrEATures says
Yes, sometimes that is ALL you need in life! I agree 100%!!! That looks so good – and I love the addition of red pepper flakes. I could add those things to anything!
Christine Skari says
Hahaha mhmmm cheesey goodness!!
Leigha says
Oooh love it! My grandma makes great lasagna too. Although not very healthy 😉
Christine Skari says
Hahah grandmas make the best food 😉
Lauren says
I love the fact this is all in one skillet and I could easily make it by replacing the beef with A LOT of vegetables. Totally brilliant! My Italian blood is loving it all!
Christine Skari says
The recipe would still turn out fantastic with a bunch of veggies! That would make for one ridiculously healthy meal haha!
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blog says
mmmm sounds delicious! And so easy too! I absolutely love lasagna so this dish would be perfect for me for dinner one night. I like the idea of substituting cottage cheese too
Christine Skari says
Lasagna is the best :). Trust me, cottage cheese makes the whole dish SO much better!
James says
That looks seriously good! Definitely will have to try it out soon:)
Christine Skari says
Let me know how it goes if you do!
Christine @ Gotta Eat Green says
Oh my.. this looks so delicious! I may have to recreate it with some vegan cheese!
Christine Skari says
That sounds like it would turn out GREAT!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
This looks amaaaazing!! I so need to try making a veggie version!
Christine Skari says
It would turn out great with veggies too!
Clara @ Southern Thintellect says
This looks DELISH! Thanks for sharing
Christine Skari says
No problem 😀
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
Oh my, that looks INCREDIBLE! Thanks for the recipe!!!
Christine Skari says
Of course 😀
Beth Sheridan @sugarcoatedsheridans says
That actually does look really good and I am SUPER picky about my lasagna too! My mom makes the best lasagna I’ve ever tasted so I never even try it at any restaurant or to make it myself
Christine Skari says
Haha I don’t blame you! Sometimes mama’s home cookin’ is the best you can possibly get
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I’ve never tried making lasagna in a skillet or with cottage cheese but it looks amazing! I’ll have to try a vegetarian version sometime.
Christine Skari says
This is actually the first time I’ve made it in a skillet. I was surprised at how well the noodles cooked in the juices! I think this would work great as a vegetarian dish as well 😀
jessiebearwhat says
Gorgeous recipe girl!
Christine Skari says
Thanks Jessie!
Liz @ The Girl on Fire Now says
I really wish you had posted this after dinner – now nothing will be that yummy that we have!
Christine Skari says
Haha bummer, my bad 😉
FitBritt@MyOwnBalance says
You had me at the first line . . .
Christine Skari says
It was a pretty good opener if you ask me 😉
leni johnson says
Hiya!
How much can you estimate the serving size to be?
Christine Skari says
One serving is 1/6th of the entire skillet :)!
leni johnson says
Well yes, but do you happen to know if its e.g approx. 1 cup or more?
If not, its okay
Christine Skari says
I’m not 100% sure, but I think each serving would be about a cup and a half
Louisa [Living Lou] says
I’ve never thought of putting cottage cheese in lasagna – what a great idea! I always end up with lots of ricotta left over and nothing to do with it. This lasagna will be great for the cooler autumn evenings!
Seanna says
Looks delicious! My Mom has always made Lasagna with cottage cheese, and I’m excited about trying this recipe! Can you tell me whether the noodles are the pre-cooked kind, or do I have to cook them first? Thanks!
Christine Skari says
So glad I’m not the only one who grew up with cottage cheese instead! You actually just put in the dried noodles into the skillet. They cook in the tomato juice and water by themselves!
Seanna says
Making this right now…Good thing I went to your blog to look at it again while I was cooking… I almost forgot to add the can of tomatoes! LOL I read “pour the tomato sauce” (singular!) and only added the actual tomato sauce until 5 minutes in. Sigh, guess I need my glasses for more than just work now. LOL
zaynab says
I tried it n d taste was luvly,kip it up!!!
Christine Skari says
Thanks love!
Elizabeth says
Do you have to drain the meat first or is that just additional juice used?
Christine Skari says
There probably won’t be too much extra liquid from the beef, but keep it in the pan! It’ll add some extra flavor and probably won’t affect the cooking time.
Colleen says
My old roommate first introduced me to cottage cheese lasagna ….and ever since I haven’t been able to enjoy lasagna with ricotta cheese! My roommate would sprinkle Italian seasoning into the cottage cheese before she added it to the dish. Im heading to the store after this to make it tonight. 😉
Colleen says
My old roommate used to used cottage cheese instead….its waaay better in my opinion! I don’t like lasagna any other way now! She used to add Italian seasoning to the cottage cheese as well. Im going to the store after this to make it tonight! So excited!
Susan says
Just finished eating this. Loved it. Super easy. For meatless Monday, I left out the meat and subbed chopped peppers and zucchini. Perfect dinner!
Kristin says
This looks amazing! I’m so glad I found your blog through SITS! We have a healthy living link party to share tips and tricks and support one another – I bet you would have some amazing things to share! Stop by Tuesdays (Monday night) to check it out! I’m off to check out so e of your other recipes a d healthy living tips!
Leslie says
Anything lasagna is for me, given that it is healthier now I’m all over it. It looks delish. I think the boyfriend is going to love it. I might have to add it to the menu plan for next week. I’m stopping by from SITS. Happy Saturday!
Jessica @ fantabulosity.com says
Yum! This looks fantastic! It totally caught my eye over on the link up at SITS Girls! I can’t wait to try this!
Karen Goodman says
I found this recipe on the Sharefest Saturday link party and it looks so good. Much easier than my version of lasagna. I agree that cottage cheese is the way to go…it’s in my mother’s lasagna recipe too. Plus it keeps the cost down.
The timing of me finding this recipe is perfect because the featured ingredient for today’s Future Expat Required Ingredient Recipe Link Party is pasta. I hope you’ll come add your recipe, and your other favorite pasta recipes, to the party.
Christine Skari says
Thanks so much for stopping by from SITS! And for letting me know about the party link up :). Just added this to the list of delicious pasta recipes!
Anabel Medina says
Hello, Today I have made your lasagna and it is amazing, super delicious I love it. Thank you for share your recepe.
Anabel Medina says
Hello, I Made your lasagna today and it was amazing, super delicious I love it. Thank you share your super yummy recipe.
Christine Skari says
I’m so glad it came out well for you! Thanks for letting me know that it was tasty- this comment made my day!
shannon says
love IT! I made it with ww lasagna noodles and added basil and Oregon to the tomato sauce we all loved it in my family. sneaked another healthy one into regular rotation ha! they never knew it
Renee says
Very easy and delicious! I forgot to add the water, but the noodles still turned out “Al dente”. Also easy cleaning up because you only need one skillet!
Christine Skari says
Awesome! I’m so glad it turned out well for ya 😀 !
Christine Skari says
Hooray! So glad it turned out well for you and thanks for telling me that the water doesn’t make or break the recipe
tracy says
Easy, excellent base recipe. I made as instructed using hunts sauce and fire roasted tomatoes but the end result was very bland and a bit liquidy.So, for my personal tastes, I adjusted using fresh basil and oregano plus fresh grated parm to thicken and flavor the sauce. Also scooped in 1 Tbsp ricotta mixed with fresh parsley.
If your still looking to keep this healthy this is an excellent and easy recipe but season with fresh herbs for more flavor. Thanks for sharing your one pot easy recipe!!!
Caroline Kaufman Nutrition says
I love cottage cheese in my lasagna too! It’s such an easy way to lighten it up a little. I use a mix of cottage cheese, part-skim mozzarella and Parmesan in my beef & vegetable lasagna recipe (http://www.carolinekaufman.com/hearty-beef-and-vegetable-lasagna/)
So glad I found your blog!
Liz says
I’ve never gotten on the cottage cheese bandwagon, but I know it is very good for you…Savory, huh. I will give it a try.
Maureen says
This is very yummy! I love lasagna so this is something that caught my attention. I will try to make it with cottage cheese too. Delicious dish!