Nothing beats the cozy comfort of lasagna, but turn it into a low-carb delight and you’ve got a game-changer. This Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe swaps traditional pasta for cheesy, tender "noodles" that satisfy your cravings without the carbs. Trust me, it’s a winner every time.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reached for the usual pasta lasagna only to feel bloated afterward. Enter this keto version with cheese noodles—rich, creamy, and loaded with flavor but light on carbs. It’s seriously satisfying and perfect for anyone keeping their daily carb counts low.
- Cheese Noodles Instead of Pasta: You get that classic lasagna texture but without the carb overload.
- Built for Keto Friendly Eating: Each layer is packed with proteins and healthy fats to keep you fueled and full.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Ground beef, creamy cheeses, and savory herbs come together effortlessly.
- Perfect for Batch Cooking: Make a big pan, slice it up, and enjoy leftovers that reheat beautifully.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe comes from combining creamy cheeses with savory beef and herbs. Each ingredient has a purpose, and knowing why helps you get the best results.
- Cream Cheese: Softens easily and creates the perfect base for the cheese dough noodles, lending richness and moisture.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Low moisture and part-skim mozzarella melts perfectly to give those noodles structure and stretch.
- Eggs: Act as a binder, helping hold the cheese noodle dough together so it slices without crumbling.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds that quintessential herby flavor to both noodles and meat sauce for a true Italian experience.
- Minced Onion: Builds savory depth in the meat sauce, caramelizing slightly during cooking to bring out sweetness.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef keeps it hearty without excess grease, balancing the richness of the cheeses.
- No Sugar Added Marinara Sauce: Look for brands like Rao’s or Muir Glen to keep this keto-friendly while still saucy and flavorful.
- Ricotta Cheese: Adds creamy pockets inside the layers giving a luscious contrast to the meat and mozzarella.
Make It Your Way
I like to keep this recipe pretty true to traditional lasagna flavors but feel free to customize! Play with herbs, swap the ground beef for ground turkey, or add a little heat with red pepper flakes.
- Variation: One weekend, I swapped the Italian seasoning for a smoky chipotle powder—it gave the lasagna an unexpected yet addictive kick that my family loved.
- Dairy-Free Option: I haven’t tried it myself, but some folks sub with vegan cream cheese and cashew cheese to keep it plant-based.
- Extra Veggies: Feel free to sauté mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini to sneak in some greens without losing the classic vibe.
- Spice Level: A few dashes of chili flakes or cayenne in the sauce wakes this dish right up—something I recommend if you like a little zing.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Whip up the Cheese Dough Noodles
Start by softening your cream cheese well—it should be easy to stir or blend. I usually pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds to get it super pliable. Then, throw it, mozzarella, eggs, and Italian seasoning into a food processor for a smooth batter. If you’re mixing by hand, finely chop the mozzarella so it blends well and whisk the cream cheese and eggs until smooth before folding everything together. Pour this mixture into a parchment-lined baking pan, spread evenly with a spatula, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it—the surface should feel firm, not wet, when done.
Step 2: Prepare the Savory Meat Sauce
While your cheese noodles cool, heat a skillet over medium and cook the onions until translucent, then add your ground beef. Brown it nicely and drain any excess fat—this step is key to avoid sogginess later. Toss in your Italian seasoning and marinara sauce, stirring and letting it simmer on low for about 3 minutes. The sauce thickens slightly and all those flavors begin to mingle beautifully.
Step 3: Layer Like a Pro
Slice the cheese dough into three equal pieces—each should roughly fit into your loaf pan. Begin layering by spreading a thin coat of the meat sauce on the pan's bottom. Add your first cheese noodle layer, top with a third of the meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and a sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat for the second layer and finish with the last noodle topped generously with sauce and mozzarella. I like to crumble dried oregano on top for some earthy herbal aroma before it hits the oven.
Step 4: Final Bake and Browning
Bake your assembled lasagna at 350°F for about 20 minutes to let everything meld. If you love that golden bubbly cheese crust like I do, turn your oven to low broil for a couple of minutes at the end. Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn—just enough to get those gorgeous browned spots that make it irresistible.
Top Tip
Over the years, I learned a few tricks that take this Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe from good to spectacular. When you’re trying it at home, these tips will save you time and keep your layers holding together perfectly.
- Cheese Dough Consistency: Use a food processor if you can—it creates a silky batter that bakes evenly; if mixing by hand, chop mozzarella extra fine to avoid clumps.
- Drain Your Meat Well: Excess fat can make your lasagna soggy, so always drain the skillet before simmering with sauce.
- Slice Noodles After Cooling: Let the cheese noodles cool completely before slicing them; this keeps them firm and easier to handle.
- Don’t Skip the Broil: A quick broil at the end adds a beautiful golden top that not only tastes amazing but looks fantastic to serve.
How to Serve Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
I always sprinkle freshly chopped basil, oregano, and parsley right before serving. It adds freshness and a pop of color that makes the dish feel lively. A little grated parmesan on top is the cherry on top — a savory sprinkle of flavor!
Side Dishes
A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the creamy richness beautifully. Roasted asparagus or garlic sautéed spinach are also my go-to sides since they bring freshness without adding carbs.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners, I’ve baked this lasagna in a fancy ceramic dish and topped with edible flowers and microgreens for an elegant touch. It’s impressive to guests but totally doable for home cooks.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the lasagna cool completely before covering tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. When I reheat, I slice portions and microwave or warm them in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
Freezing
This recipe freezes really well. I divide the lasagna into meal-sized portions, wrap each tightly with plastic wrap, then foil, and pop them into the freezer. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven for best texture.
Reheating
To avoid rubbery cheese, reheat covered in the oven with a little foil to keep moisture in. A short stint in the microwave is fine for a quick fix, but oven reheating keeps the layers tasting fresh and melty.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! The steps are straightforward and the ingredient list is simple. Plus, using the food processor for the dough makes it really easy to get right, even if you’re new to keto cooking.
While mozzarella is ideal for its stretch and moisture balance, you can experiment with other mild melting cheeses like provolone or Monterey Jack. Just ensure they're low moisture to keep the noodle texture right.
Look for marinara sauces with no added sugar and minimal carbs. Brands like Rao’s and Muir Glen are my favorites because they keep it clean and flavorful without sneaky sugars.
Definitely! You can assemble the lasagna a day ahead, cover it tightly, and bake when ready. This makes it super convenient for busy weeknights or entertaining.
Final Thoughts
This Keto Cheese Noodle Lasagna Recipe is one of those dishes that makes you forget you’re even eating keto. The layers of creamy cheese and savory meat sauce hit all the comfort notes I crave, but without the carb crash. Give it a try—you might just find this becoming your new go-to weeknight dinner or special occasion showstopper. I can’t wait to hear how you make it your own!
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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: Low Carb
Description
This Keto Low Carb Lasagna recipe features cheese dough lasagna noodles made from cream cheese, mozzarella, and eggs, layered with a savory ground beef and marinara sauce filling. Perfect for those on a ketogenic diet, this lasagna is baked to bubbly perfection with layers of ricotta and mozzarella cheese for a rich, satisfying meal.
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 lean ground beef (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
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350F and line a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make cheese dough noodles: Add softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, eggs, and Italian seasoning into a food processor and blend until a thick liquid consistency is achieved. Alternatively, mix by hand with finely chopped mozzarella, whisking cream cheese and eggs first.
- Bake cheese noodles: Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes until firm and no longer wet on the surface. Set aside to cool.
- Cook meat sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook minced onion and ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in Italian seasoning and marinara sauce, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Slice cheese noodles: Once cooled, slice the cheese dough into three equal portions that fit 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. Layer the first cheese noodle over the sauce, then top with one-third of the meat sauce, 3 tablespoon ricotta, and ¼ cup shredded mozzarella. Repeat layering for the second noodle. Add the third noodle, remaining meat sauce, and top with remaining mozzarella. Optionally sprinkle dried oregano or other herbs on top.
- Bake lasagna: Bake assembled lasagna at 350F for 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly. For a browned top, switch to low broil and broil for 2 minutes until blistered.
- Cool and serve: Let lasagna cool slightly before slicing. Optionally garnish with finely chopped fresh basil, oregano, parsley, and freshly grated parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Using a food processor for the cheese dough ensures smooth mixing; if mixing by hand, finely chop mozzarella and whisk cream cheese and eggs thoroughly.
- Use low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese for the cheese dough to achieve the best texture.
- Choose a no sugar added marinara sauce brand such as Muir Glen or Rao's, or prepare your own to keep the dish keto-friendly.
- This recipe is adapted from another with a variation in the cheese noodle preparation.
- For best results, use 90/10 lean ground beef to balance flavor and fat content suited for keto.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
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