Stop Using Ricotta In Lasagna And Replace It With Something Better

Classic as it may be, ricotta is not the only cheese choice when it comes to making delicious lasagna. Swapping ricotta for cottage cheese in lasagna can be a flavorful and practical choice that adds a lovely consistency without the graininess sometimes associated with ricotta. Cottage cheese typically remains smooth throughout the cooking process, unlike ricotta, which can become gritty or may even outright curdle when exposed to high heat.

Cottage cheese has a mild, tangy taste and a slightly chunkier texture with visible curds, while slightly sweeter ricotta is smoother and denser, with much smaller curds. Often, cottage cheese is lower in calories than ricotta for those watching their calorie and fat intake, while it's also a great protein source. Plus, cottage cheese is generally less expensive than ricotta (though of course this varies depending on brand), so you're more likely to enjoy savings at the store. With that under consideration, a tip for the budget-minded: If you are deciding between grocery shopping at Aldi or Trader Joe's, Aldi generally has lower dairy prices. You'll likely get a good price on meat for your lasagna there, too. 

A few tablespoons of heavy cream can be added to make the cottage cheese even creamier and easier to spread. The mild flavor of cottage cheese lets other traditional lasagna ingredients, like herbs, meat, vegetables, and marinara sauce, shine through. If you want the cottage cheese to have a texture closer to ricotta, you can strain it before incorporating it into the dish. If you're looking for a well-regarded pan, this one made in Italy is non-stick and ceramic. After all, Italy is considered the birthplace of lasagna!

The sturdiness of cottage cheese under heat, plus its budget-friendly nature, makes it a perfect choice for lasagna. Its ability to retain a smooth texture adds to the comforting, satisfying quality of the dish without compromising on flavor. You can also mix ricotta with cottage cheese if you're not ready to make the full switch. And with the leftover cottage cheese, you can make a fresh dessert by topping a scoop of cottage cheese with canned fruit. Buon appetito!