Name: Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 1/2 cup diced onion (chopped); 2 cups finely diced zucchini (about 2 small or 1 medium/large zucchini); 1 cup finely diced summer squash (about 1 medium/large summer squash); 1 15 ounce can whole tomatoes (2 cups, or crushed tomatoes if preferred); 1 10 ounce can tomato sauce (1 1/4 cups); 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 6 ounces uncooked, oven-ready lasagna noodles (8 noodles); 16 ounces low-fat cottage cheese; 1 cup shredded parmesan; 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

There’s something about a homemade lasagna that just sings comfort — but this Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe gives you all that cozy flavor without the guilt. It’s packed with veggies, lean beef, and plenty of cheesy goodness, making it a delicious, balanced dinner that you’ll feel great about serving.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with lasagna showing multiple layers: a golden brown melted cheese layer on top with some green herb garnish, beneath it layers of light pasta sheets, a rich red tomato meat sauce mixed with ground meat, and a creamy cheese mix. A spatula lifts one slice, stretching melted cheese strings down to the rest of the dish. The dish is placed on a wooden surface next to fresh basil leaves, with a white marbled background behind. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve tried countless lasagna variations over the years, but this one stands out by balancing healthfulness and flavor effortlessly. It’s my go-to when I want something hearty yet lighter than traditional versions — and trust me, your whole family will feel the love too.

Loaded with Veggies: Zucchini and summer squash sneak in extra nutrients and moisture, keeping things light without sacrificing taste.
Lean Protein Boost: Using lean ground beef keeps it satisfying but much healthier than heavy meat mixtures.
Simple & Quick: The recipe comes together fast, perfect for busy weeknights when you want comfort food without a huge time commitment.
Flexible & Family-Friendly: It’s easy to personalize with your favorite herbs and cheeses, making it one you’ll come back to again and again.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with four large, rectangular layers of lasagna. The top layer is golden brown melted cheese with small toasted patches, sprinkled with fresh green herbs and three basil leaves for garnish. Inside, layers of soft pasta sheets alternate with meat sauce that has visible bits of ground meat mixed with diced vegetables in a rich red tomato sauce. A woman's hand holds a wooden spatula, lifting out a portion, showing the cheesy, saucy layers inside. The dish is placed on a wooden surface with a gray cloth beside it, but the background is changed to a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe plays a part in building flavor and nutrition without fuss. I like to pick fresh squash and quality lean beef, which really make the difference. Here’s why these elements come together so well:

Flat lay of a portion of fresh lean ground beef, a small mound of finely diced white onion, a small white ceramic bowl filled with finely diced green zucchini, another similar bowl with finely diced yellow summer squash, whole ripe red tomatoes on the vine, a small white ceramic bowl containing smooth bright red tomato sauce, a few loose dried parsley leaves, dried basil leaves, dried oregano sprigs, two small white ceramic bowls holding coarse salt and black peppercorns, a neat stack of uncooked oven-ready lasagna noodles, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy low-fat cottage cheese, a small pile of shredded pale yellow parmesan cheese, and a small pile of shredded mozzarella cheese, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Lean Ground Beef: Adds rich, savory depth while keeping fat content moderate—choose 90% lean if you can for the best results.
Onion: Gives that foundational aromatic sweetness that builds flavor right from the start.
Zucchini: Its mild taste and high water content boost nutrition and keep the lasagna moist and tender.
Summer Squash: Similar to zucchini but with a slightly nuttier flavor, adding a subtle complexity.
Canned Whole Tomatoes: I love using whole tomatoes because you can break them down to your preferred texture, controlling chunkiness and sauce thickness.
Tomato Sauce: Brings richness and helps bind all the flavors together.
Garlic Powder & Dried Herbs: Parsley, basil, oregano, and garlic powder add a classic Italian flavor profile — easy and foolproof.
Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodles: Save prep time and cleanup with no-boil noodles—they soak up sauce nicely.
Low-Fat Cottage Cheese: A lighter alternative to ricotta, it adds a creamy, tangy layer without overwhelming richness.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty, salty punch that layers beautifully between textures.
Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into that gooey, irresistible topping everyone loves.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe is how flexible it is. I love swapping out cheeses or tossing in extra veggies like spinach or mushrooms depending on the season. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!

Variation: Once, I added sautéed mushrooms and fresh spinach, which turned this into a nutrient-packed powerhouse — and honestly, you hardly notice the extra greens when it’s all layered up.
Dietary Modifications: For a lighter touch, use part-skim cheeses and 93% lean beef; for grain-free, swap noodles for thinly sliced eggplant or zucchini layers.
Spice It Up: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce if you like a little bite, or fresh basil leaves for brightness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics and Beef

Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Then toss in the lean ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks evenly. Keep stirring until it's fully browned — about 7-10 minutes. I always drain the extra fat afterward; it keeps the dish lighter without losing flavor.

Step 2: Prepare and Cook the Veggies

While the beef simmers, chop your zucchini and summer squash into small pieces, roughly ¼ to ½ inch cubes. In the same or a large pan, sauté these veggies gently until they soften, about 7-10 minutes — this brings out their natural sweetness and texture.

Step 3: Build Your Sauce

Stir in the canned whole tomatoes, tomato sauce, and all your dried herbs and spices. Use a spatula to break down the whole tomatoes right in the pan, making the sauce as smooth or chunky as you like. Simmer gently for another 7-10 minutes, stirring often to avoid burning. Then fold in your cooked beef and onions, mixing well for that rich, unified flavor.

Step 4: Assemble the Layers

In a 9×13 casserole dish, spread ¼ of your meat sauce on the bottom. Lay 4 oven-ready lasagna noodles on top. Spread another ¼ of the sauce evenly over the noodles, then dollop half of the cottage cheese across the layer. Sprinkle half the parmesan and mozzarella on top, then repeat with the remaining noodles, sauce, and cheeses.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes to develop that perfect golden cheese crust. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving—this helps everything settle and slice neatly.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe over and over, these little tricks helped me get it just right every time, and I think they’ll help you too.

Don’t Skip Draining: Removing excess fat from the beef keeps the lasagna lighter and prevents it from becoming greasy.
Break Down Tomatoes Well: Taking the extra minute to crush the tomatoes in the pan makes the sauce silky and evenly flavored — it’s worth the effort!
Use Oven-Ready Noodles: They save so much time and soak up all the delicious sauce, making layering easier and cleanup less of a hassle.
Let It Rest: Allowing the baked lasagna to cool a bit makes slicing easier and helps flavors meld together beautifully.

How to Serve Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe

healthy ground beef lasagna - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to top mine with a sprinkle of fresh chopped basil or parsley to add a bright pop of color and fresh flavor. Sometimes, a light dusting of extra parmesan right on top just before serving really elevates it. A drizzle of olive oil also goes nicely if you want a little richness.

Side Dishes

This lasagna pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or a simple garlic-roasted vegetable medley. I often whip up a Caesar salad or some steamed broccoli tossed in lemon and olive oil — it balances all that cheesy goodness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to bake individual portions in ramekins—everyone gets their own perfectly layered mini lasagna! It’s a fun way to dress up a cozy dinner and ensures each serving looks Instagram-worthy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers? I let the lasagna cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. It keeps well for 3-4 days, and I love how the flavors deepen overnight.

Freezing

This Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe freezes beautifully. I usually assemble it completely, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap followed by foil or pop it into a freezer-safe container. It lasts up to 3 months frozen, making it a great make-ahead meal.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil to keep it moist, for about 20-25 minutes until heated through. Microwaving works in a pinch, but baking preserves that fresh-baked texture best.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use turkey instead of ground beef in this Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a leaner option and works well in this recipe. Just be sure to cook it thoroughly and season well to keep that rich flavor.

Do I have to boil the lasagna noodles beforehand?

Nope! This recipe uses oven-ready noodles, so there’s no need to boil. They soften perfectly in the sauce as the lasagna bakes. It saves time and mess!

How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

You can swap the ground beef for cooked lentils, a mixture of mushrooms, or your favorite plant-based crumbles. Keep the veggies and cheeses for a hearty, satisfying vegetarian version.

Can I prepare this lasagna ahead of time?

Definitely! You can assemble it a day before baking and keep it covered in the fridge. When ready, bake following the instructions—just add a few extra minutes if it’s very cold.

Final Thoughts

This Healthy Ground Beef Lasagna Recipe has earned its spot in my regular meal rotation because it’s just so comforting without the heaviness. I love how the veggies blend seamlessly into the sauce, adding freshness and keeping it light. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite weeknight winner!