Easy Healthy Lasagna

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Easy Healthy Lasagna? Hell Yeah! We all need some comfort food right about now with all that’s going on in our world currently and why not comfort your soul with hearty Italian food. You can never go wrong with a tasty Italian dinner made healthier.

Lasagna is such a classic comfort food. It’s filling, it’s absolutely delicious, and it’s got a bit of everything: carbs, protein, and a whole lot of goodness. It goes really well with kids too; if you have fussy ones, give this recipe a try, they will just love it.

I do love cooking but lately I’ve been on a very healthy food regime and I woke up thinking it’s time to reward myself on with something yummy, delicious but keeping it easy and simple to execute. You know how I like to keep all my recipes easy to make so here’s my Easy Healthy Lasagna recipe that anyone can accomplish!

Although you might find that usually lasagna is made with ground beef, any other meat works great too, there is no rule here when it comes to personal choices. This version is made with healthier turkey meat to cut back on the fat content but trust with the Italian seasoning you can’t tell the difference. Then serve it with a simple salad and garlic bread if you desire.

How Do You Make Easy Healthy Lasagna?

This lasagna is simple, basic and would best be described by the term, traditional. I changed up the way that I layer it up since I opted to use whole-wheat NO BOIL lasagna noodles (aka.. best idea ever). If the noodles don’t get enough moisture, they don’t cook completely. Crunchy lasagna? No thanks!

I know that layering a lasagna isn’t exactly rocket science, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve blown it. Please tell me I’m not the only one. Here’s a little help from me to you. You’re welcome.

Lasagna Layering Guide:

  1. Meat sauce (less meat, more sauce)
  2. Noodle layer
  3. Cottage cheese (use half)
  4. Meat sauce (more meat, less sauce)
  5. Noodle layer
  6. Cottage cheese (use it all)
  7. Meat sauce (use it all)
  8. Mozzarella

Healthy Lasagna Ingredients

Lean ground turkey – I used 93% lean ground turkey. You could even try the Italian seasoned ground turkey, but my store was out when I went to pick up items for this recipe. Even with out the Italian seasoned meat, my lasagna came out super flavorful. Try to get organic, free-range raised in the USA on 100% organic, all vegetarian, non-GMO diet with no antibiotics if possible.

Marinara – You could definitely make your own, but there are some really great store-bought options out there. Look for a variety that is made from all real food ingredients (no weird words) and doesn’t list sugar as an ingredient. My favorites are either Kirkland’s Organic Marinara Sauce (costco) or Marinara Sauce (Trader Joe’s).

Cottage Cheese – This is where the unexpected superfood, cottage cheese, makes this Easy Healthy Lasagna so creamy and full of added nutrients and protein for a perfectly balanced meal. I usually use the fat free variety, but full fat or light work just fine. And you don’t have to love cottage cheese to love this lasagna.

Mozzarella – If possible, try to avoid the mozzarella that comes pre-packed and shredded. It contains an ingredient called cellulose (anti-clumping) and you just don’t need it. At my grocery I purchase the mozzarella from the deli and ask them to shred it for me (yep.. I’m lazy like that). Also, if possible, I like to try to use a light cheese variety.

Lasagna Noodles – You guys.. no boil is where it’s at! So much easier than pre-cooking. I use Trader Joe’s Italian Lasagna Noodle oven ready noodles and I’ve never had a complaint.

I’d love to know if you make this (or any) recipe! Tag @aliinthevalley on Instagram and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

This Easy Healthy Lasagna recipe is the perfect family-friendly dish. It has all of the goodness of classic lasagna, but lightened up and packed with protein for a skinny version of the traditional recipe!

Easy Healthy Lasagna

Servings

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Calories

kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Italian seasoned ground turkey or regular ground turkey, chicken, or lean beef (I used the 93% lean ground turkey)

  • 16 ounces (2 cups) marinara sauce

  • 1 – ½ cups fat free cottage cheese (can use full fat or fat free)

  • ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

  • 6 oven-ready lasagna noodles (can use gluten free))

  • 4 ounces (1 heaping cup) light mozzarella, shredded (can use full fat or fat free)

  • Finely chopped fresh parsley, rosemary optional for garnish

Directions

  • In a large skillet cook ground turkey. Once cooked, stir in marinara sauce, set aside.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
  • Preheat oven to 350 °F and in an 8×8 to 8×11” baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, layer ⅓ meat sauce (more sauce than meat), 2-3 noodles, and ½ cottage cheese mixture
  • Repeat layering process with meat sauce, noodles and then cottage cheese mixture.
  • One more layer of meat sauce and then top with mozzarella.
  • Cover with tin foil. Bake for 20 minutes at 350°F. Remove tin foil and bake for another 10 minutes.
  • Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy a large serving! Makes 6 huge servings!

Ali in the Valley is a lifestyle blog about healthy, delicious food and simple lifestyle tips on how to be a great host or hostess…all while staying on a budget.

I create simple recipes for the urban soul and live by my motto:

“Home Grown Cooking – Down To Earth Living!”

Like most women, I’m the Energizer bunny that keeps going and going. And, actually… I LOVE IT. Power mom! Power life!

I’m an entertainment biz executive who loves to entertain at home, as well as abroad!!

I passionately blog about it, share recipes and write cookbooks––plus produce a web show centered around live music and good food.

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