There’s something unbelievably satisfying about a rich, cheesy lasagna — and this Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe nails that comfort-food vibe without the carbs. It’s creamy, hearty, and surprisingly easy, perfect when you want the classic lasagna feel but sticking to keto.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe quickly became a favorite on busy weeknights—because it offers all the cheesy, meaty satisfaction with none of the carb overload. Plus, it feels a bit fancy, but it’s straightforward enough for home cooks like us.
- Cheese Noodles: Replacing traditional pasta with a cheese-based noodle keeps the carb count low and adds amazing flavor and texture.
- Quick Prep: You don’t have to fuss with boiling noodles or make-ahead steps, which saves time in the kitchen.
- Rich & Filling: The combo of ricotta, mozzarella, and ground beef with marinara sauce makes each bite satisfyingly hearty.
- Customizable Layers: You can tweak the seasonings or cheese to suit your tastes—keto cooking that feels personalized!
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in the Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe serves a purpose, balancing taste and texture while keeping carbs low. Shopping smart for quality cheeses and a good sugar-free marinara makes a massive difference here.
- Cream Cheese: Gives that rich, creamy base that binds the cheese noodles together.
- Mozzarella Cheese (part-skim, low moisture): Melts beautifully and holds the noodles' structure without adding excess moisture.
- Eggs: The natural binder ensuring the cheese dough firms up nicely in the oven.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds herbal warmth throughout the noodles and sauce.
- Ground Beef (lean): Keeps the filling hearty but not greasy—lean options help manage fat levels.
- Onion: Brings a touch of sweetness and depth to the meat sauce.
- No Sugar Added Marinara Sauce: Be sure to pick a brand without hidden sugars or make your own for the freshest taste.
- Ricotta Cheese: Adds creamy pockets that contrast perfectly with melty mozzarella and meat.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. You can add extra herbs or swap ground beef for ground turkey or sausage if that’s what you have on hand. Don’t be shy about making it your own!
- Variation: I once added a handful of chopped spinach to the meat sauce for a veggie boost, and it was so good—keeps the flavors fresh without messing with the texture.
- Dairy-Free Twist: For friends not eating dairy, try using a blend of keto-friendly cheese alternatives—though it takes some experimenting to get the noodle texture just right.
- Extra Spice: Toss in crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika to give the meat sauce a nice little kick.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up Your Cheese Noodles
I like to use a food processor for this step because it blends the cream cheese, mozzarella, eggs, and Italian seasoning into a smooth, thick batter that spreads evenly. If you don’t have one, just finely chop your mozzarella and whisk everything vigorously by hand—work that arm! Pour the batter into a parchment-lined pan, smooth it out, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes until the noodle sheet is firm and no longer wet on top.
Step 2: Simmer the Meat Sauce
While the noodles cool, brown your ground beef with diced onions in a skillet over medium heat. Once the meat is cooked through, drain any excess fat to keep your lasagna from getting greasy. Then stir in Italian seasoning and your no-sugar-added marinara sauce, letting it simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
Step 3: Assemble Like a Pro
Slice your cheese noodle sheet into three equal pieces sized to fit your loaf pan. Start with a layer of meat sauce, then add your first cheese noodle, followed by more meat sauce, a generous spread of ricotta, and a sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat for the second layer, and top everything with the third noodle, the remaining sauce, and mozzarella. A little crushed oregano on top adds an inviting aroma.
Step 4: Bake to Melty Perfection
Bake the assembled lasagna at 350°F for about 20 minutes. If you love that bubbly golden cheese on top, switch your oven to broil for a couple of minutes—watch closely so it doesn’t burn. Then, let it cool slightly before slicing for cleaner pieces and the perfect melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Top Tip
I've made this Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe dozens of times, and these tips save me every time—especially when it comes to the noodle layer.
- Use Parchment Paper: Lining your baking pan prevents sticking and makes lifting out the cheese noodles a breeze.
- Don’t Skip Cooling: Letting the cheese noodle firm up outside the oven ensures you get nice clean slices without crumbling.
- Drain the Meat Thoroughly: Excess grease in the sauce can make your lasagna watery instead of velvety.
- Watch the Broil: When browning the cheese top, stay close to the oven—just a minute can go from perfectly golden to burnt.
How to Serve Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a handful of fresh chopped basil and a tiny bit of parsley on top—it brightens the rich flavors and makes the dish look inviting. A grating of fresh parmesan right before serving adds a salty pop, too.
Side Dishes
Pair this lasagna with a crisp green salad tossed in a simple vinaigrette or some roasted asparagus for a light, fresh contrast to the creamy layers.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special dinner, try assembling individual portions in small ramekins for beautiful personal servings. Topping each with a sprig of fresh herbs and a mini Parmesan crisp really elevates the presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover lasagna in airtight containers in the fridge and find it stays fresh for up to 3 days. Keeping slices separated with parchment paper helps maintain their shape and texture.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully. Just wrap the cooled, assembled lasagna tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake covered with foil at 350°F until heated through.
Reheating
I usually reheat slices in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, covered loosely with foil to keep moisture in. If you want a crisp top, uncover for the last 5 minutes. Microwaving works too but the texture isn't quite the same.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can prepare the cheese noodles a day ahead and keep them wrapped tightly in the fridge. Just bring them to room temperature before assembling your lasagna to make handling easier.
Look for marinara sauces labeled 'no sugar added' to keep carbs low. Brands like Muir Glen and Rao's are excellent choices. Or, better yet, make your own from fresh tomatoes and herbs to control ingredients.
Definitely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even spicy Italian sausage work well. Just adjust cooking times and seasoning to taste, and you’ll have a delicious twist on the classic flavor.
Letting the cheese noodles cool and firm completely before slicing is key. Using parchment paper to lift the noodle sheet and slicing gently with a sharp knife also helps keep clean edges without cracks or breaks.
Final Thoughts
This Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe hits that sweet spot of rich, cheesy comfort food without dragging you off your keto goals. I love how it turns an old favorite into something fresh and doable on a low-carb plan. Give it a try and make it your own—you might find it becomes your new go-to dish for cozy nights in.
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Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Keto Low Carb Lasagna features homemade cheese dough noodles made from cream cheese, mozzarella, and eggs, layered with a savory ground beef and marinara filling. Baked to perfection, this satisfying low-carb dish offers all the flavor of traditional lasagna while staying keto-friendly and gluten-free.
Ingredients
Cheese Dough Lasagna Noodles
- 4 oz full fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups shredded part skim low moisture mozzarella cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Lasagna Filling
- ¼ cup onion, minced
- 1 lb ground beef (lean, 90/10)
- 1 cup no sugar added marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 6 tablespoon ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded part skim low moisture mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Dough: Add all cheese dough ingredients (cream cheese, mozzarella, eggs, Italian seasoning) into a food processor and blend until evenly mixed with a thick liquid consistency. If you don’t have a food processor, whisk softened cream cheese until smooth, then add eggs and whisk. Stir in mozzarella cheese and Italian seasoning until combined.
- Bake Cheese Noodles: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Pour cheese batter into prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Bake for about 20 minutes until the surface is no longer wet and feels firm to the touch. Let cool.
- Cook Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook minced onion and ground beef until the meat is browned. Drain excess fat. Add Italian seasoning and no sugar added marinara sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Slice Cheese Noodles: Evenly slice the cooled cheese dough into three pieces that fit into an 8 x 4 inch loaf pan.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of an 8 x 4 inch loaf pan. Place first cheese noodle layer over sauce. Spread ⅓ of the remaining meat sauce over the noodle, then 3 tablespoon ricotta cheese and sprinkle ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat layering with the second noodle and remaining ricotta and mozzarella. Place third noodle on top, cover with the remaining meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Optionally, sprinkle dried oregano or dried herbs on top.
- Bake Assembled Lasagna: Bake assembled lasagna at 350°F for about 20 minutes. For a golden top, set oven to low broil after baking and broil for 2 minutes until cheese bubbles and slightly blisters.
- Serve: Let the lasagna cool slightly before slicing. Optionally garnish with chopped fresh basil, oregano, parsley, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Using a food processor for the cheese dough ensures even mixing and smooth texture, but you can substitute by finely chopping mozzarella and mixing the dough by hand.
- Use low moisture part skim mozzarella for the cheese dough to get the best texture.
- Choose no sugar added marinara sauces like Muir Glen or Rao's to keep it keto-friendly, or make your own marinara sauce.
- This recipe is adapted with a different cheese noodle style than traditional lasagna but maintains authentic flavors.
- Lean ground beef (90/10) is recommended for balanced fat content and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
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