One-Pot High Protein Lazy Lasagna (Blended Cottage Cheese Sauce)

Total Time: 40 mins Difficulty: Beginner
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If you love the rich, comforting flavors of classic baked lasagna but don’t have time for the multi-step layering, boiling noodles, and washing three different pots—this One-Pot High Protein Lazy Lasagna is about to become your new weeknight favorite.

It delivers everything you want in a cozy pasta bake: rich ground turkey cooked down in garlic tomato sauce, tender chickpea pasta, and a silky, ultra-creamy blended cottage cheese sauce that mimics traditional ricotta while packing in serious protein. Top it with a layer of melted cheese, pop it under the broiler for a few minutes until bubbly, and dinner is served in under 30 minutes!

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or looking for a nourishing family dinner, this recipe packs nearly 385g of protein per pot (or ~48g–64g per serving) without sacrificing an ounce of flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Made in One Pot: The chickpea pasta cooks directly in the seasoned bone broth and tomato sauce, so cleanup is a breeze.
  • Secret Creamy Layer: Blending 4% cottage cheese with Parmesan and bone broth creates a velvety, ricotta-like sauce with zero lumps and high protein.
  • Packed with Protein: Made with lean ground turkey, chickpea protein pasta, bone broth, and cottage cheese.
  • Meal Prep Friendly: Reheats exceptionally well throughout the week without the pasta getting mushy.

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Lean Ground Turkey: 93/7 lean ground turkey keeps the dish savory and rich while offering a high-protein base. Ground chicken or extra-lean ground beef works great too!
  • Banza Chickpea Pasta: Chickpea pasta holds up well in one-pot meals and adds a huge boost of plant-based protein and dietary fiber. You can use rotini, cavatappi, or penne.
  • Daisy 4% Cottage Cheese: The secret star of the dish! Blending full-fat cottage cheese creates a smooth, rich base that replaces traditional ricotta.
  • Chicken Bone Broth: Used both in the blended cheese sauce and as the cooking liquid for the pasta, adding rich flavor and extra protein.
  • Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce: Adds deep, slow-cooked Italian flavor in minutes. Any favorite marinara or garlic tomato sauce works well here.
  • Seasoning Blend: A fragrant mix of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, red chili flakes, and Trader Joe’s Garlic & Herb seasoning brings the sauce to life.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Blend the Cheesy Sauce

In a high-speed blender, combine 1 ½ cups Daisy 4% cottage cheese, ½ cup shredded Parmesan, and 1 cup chicken bone broth. Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Step 2: Brown the Meat & Onions

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs lean ground turkey and 1 diced yellow onion. Cook, breaking up the turkey with a spoon, until the meat is fully browned and the onions are soft. Drain any excess grease if needed.

Step 3: Season & Simmer

Stir in all the seasonings (1 tbsp Italian seasoning, 2 tsp TJ’s garlic & herb seasoning, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp oregano, and 1 tsp red chili flakes). Pour in 1 jar Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce, the remaining 3 cups chicken bone broth, and 2 ½ cups water. Stir until well combined.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Add 2 boxes of Banza chickpea pasta into the pot, pressing down lightly to ensure the noodles are submerged in liquid. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook until the pasta reaches your desired tender texture (stirring occasionally so noodles don’t stick to the bottom).

Step 5: Mix & Broil

Turn off the heat. Pour the blended cottage cheese mixture into the Dutch oven and gently fold it into the meat and pasta until evenly incorporated and creamy. Sprinkle 3 oz of shredded cheese evenly over the top. Transfer the pot under the oven broiler on high for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the top layer is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time for meal prep? Yes! Divide the cooked lasagna into airtight meal prep containers. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days.

How do I reheat chickpea pasta without it drying out? When reheating individual portions in the microwave, add a splash of bone broth or water and cover with a damp paper towel. Reheat in 60-second intervals until warmed through.

Can I substitute regular pasta? Absolutely. If using traditional wheat pasta, you may need to add an extra ½ cup to 1 cup of liquid as wheat noodles absorb liquid slightly differently than chickpea pasta.

Nutrition Information (Full Recipe & Per Portion)

  • Full Pot Totals: ~3,210 Calories | 386.5g Protein | 232g Carbs | 37g Fiber | 88g Fat
  • Per Portion (8 Servings): ~401 Calories | 48.3g Protein | 29g Carbs (24.4g Net) | 11g Fat
  • Per Portion (6 Servings): ~535 Calories | 64.4g Protein | 38.7g Carbs (32.5g Net) | 14.7g Fat

Cooking to nourish the body and serve with joy — Viky

One-Pot High Protein Lazy Lasagna (Blended Cottage Cheese Sauce)

A cozy, high-protein one-pot meal featuring lean ground turkey, chickpea pasta, and a silky blended cottage cheese sauce topped with melted bubbly cheese—ready in under 30 minutes.

Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 25 mins Total Time 40 mins Difficulty: Beginner Dietary:

Ingredients

Blended Cheesy Layer:

Meat & Pasta Pot:

Instructions

  1. Blend Sauce: Blend cottage cheese, Parmesan, and 1 cup of bone broth in a high-speed blender until silky smooth. Set aside.
  2. Sauté: Brown the ground turkey and diced onion in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until turkey is cooked through.
  3. Build Liquid Base: Stir in all spices, the full jar of tomato sauce, 3 cups bone broth, and 2 ½ cups water.
  4. Cook Noodles: Fold in both boxes of chickpea pasta, making sure they are submerged. Cover and simmer until pasta is tender.
  5. Stir & Top: Remove from heat, pour in the blended cottage cheese mixture, and stir through. Top evenly with 3 oz of shredded cheese.
  6. Broil: Broil on high for 5–7 minutes until cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Enjoy!

Note

Nutrition Information (Full Recipe & Per Portion)

  • Full Pot Totals: ~3,210 Calories | 386.5g Protein | 232g Carbs | 37g Fiber | 88g Fat
  • Per Portion (8 Servings): ~401 Calories | 48.3g Protein | 29g Carbs (24.4g Net) | 11g Fat
  • Per Portion (6 Servings): ~535 Calories | 64.4g Protein | 38.7g Carbs (32.5g Net) | 14.7g Fat

Cooking to nourish the body and serve with joy — Viky

Keywords: high protein lazy lasagna, one pot pasta, blended cottage cheese pasta sauce, easy weeknight dinner, ground turkey pasta bake, banza chickpea pasta recipe, high protein meal prep, healthy comfort food, trader joes recipes, gluten free pasta bake
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Viky

Hi, I’m Viky! The kitchen is truly my canvas and I’m so excited to invite you in! 

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