Mom's No-Fuss Lasagna: A Comfort Food Tradition You'll Love

In the realm of healthy recipes and mindful eating, sometimes we all need a comforting escape. Today, I'm excited to share a cherished family recipe that's like a warm hug for your soul. This shortcut lasagna is a simplified version of my mom's legendary recipe—a dish so irresistible that even my lactose intolerance takes a backseat when it's on the table.

Guilt-Free Lasagna

Picture this: layers of savory goodness, a medley of flavors, and the ease of preparation that makes it a go-to for any occasion. It's my ultimate comfort food, and I often find myself requesting it whenever I visit home. For my fellow Noomers, it's all about portion control for a dish like this, but in the notes below I'll also include a suggestion for veggie packed version that will make your Noom coach proud.

The Dish That Keeps On Giving

This is one of those dishes that makes enough to feed a crowd, or you can portion it out and freeze it as the flavors meld and taste even better as leftovers. And let's be honest, what tired parent doesn't appreciate a delicious, home-cooked meal that can be ready in minutes? Frozen meals that can be popped in the microwave for a quick and easy lunch or dinner are one of the best gifts a mom of a newborn can receive.

Keep It Simple for Busy Moms and Helpful Hands

Not only is this my favorite lasagna to eat, it's also my favorite to make thanks to its simplicity. No futzing around with slippery, pre-cooked lasagna noodles. Plus, opting for your favorite store-bought marinara sauce saves time without sacrificing flavor. It's a recipe that invites the whole family to participate, turning the cooking process into a joyful bonding experience. From browning the meat to layering lasagna noodles, even the little ones can join in on the fun.

Ingredients

Makes 6-8 servings (~600-800 calories per serving)

• 1 lb ground sweet Italian sausage
• 1 6oz can tomato paste
• 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce
• ½ tsp ground pepper
• 1 egg
• 1 16-oz container cottage cheese (my favorite is lactose free)
• 1 lb lasagna noodles, uncooked (go whole grain to pack in the nutrition)
• 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Meat sauce

• Brown the sausage in a pan over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
• Stir in marinara sauce and pepper.
• Bring it to a boil and remove from heat.

Cottage cheese mixture

• Pulse cottage cheese and egg in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Assemble

• Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture in the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch baking dish (if using a 13 x 9 inch baking dish, double the recipe)
• Cover with a layer of lasagna noodles (break up noodles if needed to fully cover each layer).
• Cover with a layer of meat mixture
• Cover with ⅓ of cottage cheese mixture
• Cover with ⅓ of mozzarella cheese
• Repeat 2 more times until you have three layers.
• Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese.

Bake

• Preheat oven to 350 F
• Cover with foil (or metal cover if using a pan that has one).
• Bake in a 350 F oven for 30 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake for additional 10 minutes to brown the top.
• Let stand for 10 or more minutes before serving.

Tips and Tricks

• You can prepare this lasagna a day ahead and chill it. Just increase the first baking time to 40 minutes and then continue as directed.
• For a richer, creamier lasagna, substitute half the cottage cheese with ricotta.
• If using ground beef, pork, or turkey instead of sausage, bump up the flavor by adding in 1 tsp of Italian seasoning.
• For a veggie twist, replace the meat with sautéed veggies and mushrooms–about 3 cups, chopped will do the trick. For inspiration, check out this recipe from Cookie and Kate which uses chopped carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, onion, and wilted chopped spinach.

Lasagna Leftovers

Leftover lasagna is a treasure, and here's how you can make the most of it. Portion it out, freeze it, and reheat it for a quick and satisfying meal. If you want to avoid the potential sogginess from microwaving, try using an air fryer for that just-baked perfection.

Microwave reheat: Cover and heat on medium for a minute and a half. Continue in 30 second increments until heated through.

Air-fryer reheat: Pre-heat your air fryer to 375˚F and then cook your slice on an oven safe plate or tray for 5-8 minutes until it's heated through. Cover tightly with foil if you find the outside is drying out before the inside is thoroughly heated.

Mom's shortcut lasagna isn't just a recipe; it's a legacy of warmth, flavor, and togetherness. As you savor each delicious layer, we invite you to share your own favorite family recipes below. After all, great meals are even better when enjoyed together.