A cozy Mediterranean-inspired Thanksgiving casserole layered with tender lasagna noodles, creamy cottage cheese, spinach, roasted vegetables, savory herbs, marinara, mozzarella, and Parmesan. It’s hearty, protein-rich, and perfect for a holiday family dinner.
Ingredients
For the Cottage Cheese Filling
2 cups cottage cheese
1 large egg
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp dried basil
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
For the Vegetable Layer
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
½ medium red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Lasagna
9 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package directions
3 cups marinara sauce
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Optional Thanksgiving Touch
½ cup cooked butternut squash, diced
¼ cup dried cranberries
2 tbsp chopped fresh sage
Instructions
- Cook the noodles
Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions until just tender. Drain and lay them flat so they don’t stick together.
- Prepare the vegetables
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, zucchini, bell pepper, and mushrooms.
Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and some of their moisture evaporates.
Add garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 1–2 minutes.
If using butternut squash, stir it in at this stage.
- Prepare the cottage cheese mixture
In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, egg, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, garlic, oregano, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, and pepper.
Fold in the chopped spinach.
- Assemble the lasagna
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread about ¾ cup marinara sauce over the bottom of a 9 × 13-inch baking dish.
Place 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
Spread half of the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles.
Add half of the sautéed vegetables, some sun-dried tomatoes, and a little feta.
Add another layer of:
Marinara sauce
3 noodles
Remaining cottage cheese mixture
Remaining vegetables
Sun-dried tomatoes
Feta
Finish with the final 3 noodles.
Spread the remaining marinara sauce over the top.
Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake
Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
For extra browning, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
- Rest and garnish
Remove from the oven and let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Garnish with fresh parsley, basil, and optional fresh sage.
For a Thanksgiving-style finish, sprinkle a small amount of dried cranberries over individual servings.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
Resting Time: 10–15 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Difficulty: Moderate
All Nut Information
Contains nuts: No, as written.
Peanuts: No.
Tree nuts: No.
Nut-free: Yes, when all ingredients are verified nut-free.
Cottage cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella, feta, vegetables, and lasagna noodles do not inherently require nuts.
Important: Check packaged marinara sauce, lasagna noodles, cheeses, and seasonings for allergen statements if preparing this for someone with a serious nut allergy.
Do not add pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, or pesto containing nuts if you need to keep the recipe nut-free.
🥗 Approximate Nutrition
Per serving, based on 8 servings:
Calories: ~430
Protein: ~27 g
Carbohydrates: ~45 g
Fat: ~16 g
Fiber: ~6 g
Sugar: ~9 g
Sodium: ~800 mg
Nutrition varies depending on the cottage cheese, cheeses, marinara sauce, noodles, and portion size.
Q&A
Q: Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the entire lasagna, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the covered baking time if it’s going directly from the refrigerator.
Q: Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes. Cottage cheese makes the filling creamy while adding protein. For a smoother texture, blend the cottage cheese before mixing it with the other ingredients.
Q: Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes. Thaw it completely and squeeze out as much water as possible before adding it to the cottage cheese mixture.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes. Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and verify that your marinara sauce and other packaged ingredients are gluten-free.
Q: Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. It is vegetarian as written.
Q: Can I add turkey or chicken?
Yes. For a Thanksgiving version with meat, add about 2 cups cooked shredded turkey or chicken between the vegetable layers.
Q: Can I use pumpkin instead of butternut squash?
Yes. Use cooked pumpkin in small amounts. It will add a slightly sweeter seasonal flavor.
Q: What makes this Mediterranean-inspired?
The combination of olive oil, garlic, oregano, spinach, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, feta, and fresh herbs gives the lasagna its Mediterranean character.
Q: Can I add olives?
Absolutely. Chopped Kalamata olives are a great addition. About ¼ cup is enough to add a savory Mediterranean flavor.
Q: Can I make this higher in protein?
Yes. Use high-protein cottage cheese, add lean cooked turkey or chicken, and increase the cottage cheese filling.
Q: Can I freeze it?
Yes. Cool the baked lasagna completely, portion it, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to about 3 months for best quality.
Q: How do I reheat leftovers?
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or cover the baking dish with foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through.
Q: How long does leftover lasagna last?
Store covered in the refrigerator and use within 3–4 days.
Q: Can I leave out the dried cranberries?
Yes. They are completely optional and mainly provide a sweet Thanksgiving-style contrast to the savory Mediterranean flavors.
Q: What can I serve with this lasagna?
Serve with a Greek salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans, Mediterranean cucumber salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete Thanksgiving meal.
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