This Baked Spaghetti Lasagna Will Be Your New Family Favorite

Baked Spaghetti Lasagna combines the best of two comfort food favorites into one hearty, satisfying dish. This lightened-up version keeps all the cheesy, saucy flavor you crave, but with smart ingredient swaps to make it more balanced and nourishing. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or feeding a crowd, it’s a family-friendly favorite that feels indulgent but fits your lifestyle.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ultimate Comfort Food Combo: Spaghetti meets lasagna in a deliciously cheesy, saucy bake.
Lightened-Up Ingredients: Uses lean ground turkey, whole-wheat pasta, and reduced-fat cheese.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Great for prepping ahead or freezing for later.
Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults alike will love every bite.

Ingredients

For the Spaghetti Layer:

• 8 oz whole wheat spaghetti
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb lean ground turkey or chicken
• 1 1/2 cups low-sugar marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese or part-skim ricotta
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil

For Topping:

• 3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Cook the Spaghetti

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente.
• Drain and set aside.

Prepare the Meat Sauce

• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
• Sauté onion for 2–3 minutes, then add garlic.
• Add ground turkey and cook until browned.
• Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.

Mix the Cheesy Layer

• In a bowl, combine cottage cheese (or ricotta), egg, Parmesan, and basil.
• Mix until smooth and set aside.

Assemble the Lasagna

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Lightly coat a baking dish with nonstick spray.
• Add half of the cooked spaghetti to the bottom of the dish.
• Layer half the meat sauce over it, followed by spoonfuls of the cheese mixture.
• Repeat with the remaining spaghetti, sauce, and cheese.
• Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top.

Bake

• Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
• Uncover and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
• Let sit for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Approximate)

• Calories: 295
• Carbs: 28g
• Protein: 24g
• Fat: 10g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 4g

Tips for Success

• Use Whole Wheat Pasta: It adds fiber and keeps the dish more filling.
• Let It Rest: Allowing the lasagna to rest after baking helps it set for easier slicing.
• Swap the Protein: Use ground chicken, turkey, or even plant-based meat crumbles.
• Make It a Freezer Meal: Assemble, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. Bake from frozen at 375°F for about 1 hour.

Why This Recipe Works

• Comfort with a Twist: Familiar flavors made with smarter ingredients.
• Layered Goodness: A beautiful balance of textures—tender pasta, hearty sauce, and creamy cheese.
• Satisfying and Nourishing: Perfect for staying full and happy without overindulging.
• Versatile: Easily adaptable to gluten-free, vegetarian, or dairy-free diets.

Baked Spaghetti Lasagna brings all the comfort of your favorite pasta dishes in a lighter, balanced format. With rich layers of savory meat, cheesy goodness, and perfectly cooked noodles, it’s a crowd-pleasing meal that you’ll feel good about serving. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a make-ahead freezer meal, this dish will be on repeat!