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Layerless Chicken Lasagna (Easy, Lighter & So Cozy)

All the cozy flavor of classic lasagna without the layering. This lighter chicken lasagna is made with ground chicken, crushed tomatoes, mafalde corte pasta, cottage cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and melty mozzarella for a comforting weeknight dinner that’s simple and satisfying.
Print Recipe
Layerless Chicken Lasagna (Easy, Lighter & So Cozy)
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 medium cloves garlic minced
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon parsley
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 9 ounces pasta De Cecco Mafalde Corte
  • ¾ cup cottage cheese
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese divided
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and use a wooden spoon to break it into bite-size pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken begins to brown, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Stir to combine and continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked and the onion is translucent, about 4 minutes.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, parsley, white sugar, and chicken stock. Season with freshly ground black pepper and stir to combine.
  • Add the uncooked pasta directly into the skillet and stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is slightly tender and most of the liquid has reduced, about 7–9 minutes.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 2 tablespoons of the Parmigiano-Reggiano, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine and set aside.
  • Stir the pasta mixture once more to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom. Remove from heat.
  • Dollop the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the pasta. Top with shredded mozzarella and the remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano.
  • Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
  • If desired, broil for 1 minute for a more golden, lightly crispy top, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  • Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Notes

  • Ricotta swap: If you prefer ricotta, you can use it in place of the cottage cheese. I personally prefer cottage cheese for a lighter texture and flavor, but both work beautifully.
  • Stir occasionally while simmering to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
  • Don’t skip the rest time. It helps the sauce settle and thicken slightly before serving.
  • Watch closely if broiling. That final minute can go from golden to too dark quickly.
Servings: 5