High-Protein Lasagna Recipe – Healthy, Macro-Friendly, and Meal Prep Ready
Samantha
This high-protein lasagna is a nutritious twist on the Italian classic—packed with lean ground turkey, creamy cottage cheese, and protein-rich noodles. With 39g of protein per serving, it’s perfect for meal prep, post-workout dinners, or a healthier take on comfort food.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Meal Prep
Cuisine American, Healthy
Servings 8 generous slices
Calories 370 kcal
- 1.5 lb lean ground turkey 93% lean
- 8 high-protein lasagna noodles or no-boil protein pasta sheets
- 1.5 cups low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1.5 cups part-skim shredded mozzarella
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 24 oz tomato sauce no sugar added
Step 1: Prep the SauceHeat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add ground turkey, breaking it apart as it cooks. Season with Italian herbs, red pepper, salt, and pepper. Once browned, stir in tomato sauce. Simmer for 10–15 minutes. Step 2: Mix the Cheese LayerIn a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, egg, half the mozzarella, and a pinch of pepper. Stir well until blended. Step 3: Assemble the LasagnaPreheat oven to 375°F. In a 9×13 baking dish, layer:- A thin layer of meat sauce- Lasagna noodles (boiled or no-boil)- Half of the cheese mixture- More sauce- Repeat layers- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan Step 4: Bake and RestCover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 20 minutes. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Secret Tips for the Best High-Protein Lasagna
1. Let It Rest—Seriously: Don’t skip the resting period after baking. Letting the lasagna sit for 10–15 minutes helps the layers set, so you get clean, picture-perfect slices every time. This also allows the flavors to meld even more.
2. Blend the Cottage Cheese: For a smoother texture that mimics traditional ricotta, give your cottage cheese a quick spin in a blender or food processor before mixing it with the egg and mozzarella. It creates a richer, creamier consistency without adding fat.
3. Add Extra Egg Whites for a Protein Boost: Want to sneak in even more protein without altering the flavor or texture? Stir in 2–3 tablespoons of liquid egg whites into the cottage cheese mixture. It’ll firm up the layers and deliver extra muscle fuel.
4. Use a Mandoline for Veggie Layers: If you’re going for a high-protein lasagna without noodles, use a mandoline slicer to get ultra-thin, even slices of zucchini or eggplant. This ensures the veggies cook through properly and don’t water down your sauce.
5. Toast the Cheese: For a golden, restaurant-style finish, broil the top of your lasagna for 2–3 minutes at the end of baking. It gives the mozzarella and Parmesan that irresistible bubbly brown crust.
6. Boost Fiber with Veggie Add-Ins: Mix in chopped spinach, mushrooms, or shredded carrots to the meat sauce. Not only do these add nutrients and texture, but they also help stretch your filling while keeping the dish low in calories and carbs.
7. Season Every Layer: Don’t rely solely on the meat sauce for flavor—lightly season your cheese mixture too. A pinch of garlic powder, Italian herbs, or crushed red pepper makes a big difference in overall taste.Keyword gluten free protein lasagna, healthy lasagna with cottage cheese, high protein lasagna no noodles, high-protein lasagna recipe, lasagna for muscle gain, low carb high protein lasagna, macro friendly comfort food, macro-friendly lasagna for meal prep, meal prep lasagna with lean meat, protein-packed lasagna with turkey
