This easy keto lasagna without noodles has all the flavor and none of the carbs. At just 2 grams net carbohydrates a slice, it’s a low-carb spinach lasagna recipe perfect for any ketogenic diet meal plan!
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Most people assume that lasagna is off-limits on a keto diet because it’s made with layers of pasta noodles. But when you think about it, the rest of the ingredients are pretty low in carbohydrates.
I love taking classic comfort foods and making them keto friendly. The best part is they turn out just as flavorful as the traditional version, if not more so!
This low-carb recipe is a perfect example of this. With layers of melty cheese, marinara, just the right amount of fresh spinach, and the perfect blend of spices, what’s not to love?
Once you add in the seasoned layers of meat, it takes this dish to a whole new level of delicious!
Ingredients
At first glance, the ingredient list for this keto lasagna recipe may look overwhelming. But it's primarily Italian seasonings which you likely have in your pantry.
Meatza
If you've never heard of meatza, it's a thin meatloaf that's often used as a pizza crust. But in this recipe, it's used for the pasta layer.
Marinara Sauce
Make sure you use a low-carb marinara sauce without any sugar added.
Cheese
This recipe uses a blend of parmesan, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese. If you don't like ricotta, cottage cheese is a good alternative.
Spinach
It's always a good idea to add in some leafy greens. But you can leave out the spinach if you prefer.
Egg yolks
The yolks are used as a binder for the meatza and the cheese filling.
Seasoning
Adding in an Italian seasoning blend really ups the flavor in the keto lasagna bake.
Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients.
Instructions
You can prepare the recipe in only a few simple steps. Here's a quick overview with step-by-step photos.
Prepare meatza
Combine the ground meat with spices, parmesan cheese, and egg yolk. Spread into lined baking sheet and bake until browned. Drain any grease off and cut to fit your lasagna pan.
Prepare remaining ingredients
Combine the marinara pasta sauce, parmesan, and remaining seasonings. In another bowl, beat the egg and then fold in the ricotta cheese.
In a hot oiled skillet, cook spinach until wilted. Then season with onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Assemble
Spread two to three tablespoons of marinara sauce on the bottom of the pan. Top with the meat noodle slices, then spread more marinara sauce on top.
Add all of the sautéed spinach as your next layer. Then spread the ricotta mixture on top of the spinach. Cover with half of the mozzarella cheese. Keep layering with remaining meat noodles and marinara.
Cover the top layer with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Why you'll love it
This low carb recipe for keto lasagna is a big crowd-pleaser. It’s super satisfying, and it’s very simple to make. Prepare the flat meatloaf, layer the ingredients, and bake in the oven. That’s it!
It also freezes well if you like to meal prep or simply want to have a quick casserole ready to go when you need it.
It's one of those perfect dishes that’s easy to make and will be devoured by the whole family.
You can easily make a pastaless recipe like my keto Instant Pot lasagna. The result is super tasty, but also very messy. That's why this recipe uses a meatza in place of lasagna noodles.
FAQs
Before we get to the printable recipe card, here are some questions people often ask about making keto lasagna.
Traditional lasagna can have about 30 grams of carbs or more. When I make this keto-friendly version with meat noodles, each square comes out to just 2 grams net carbs.
Many recipes use zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, cabbage, or eggplant in place of regular lasagna noodles. Meat is better because it has a less carbs and doesn't have too much water which results in a watery lasagna. You can even use deli meat for an easy skillet lasagna!
You can freeze the casserole before or after baking, although I prefer to freeze it before baking. Once I’m ready to make my noodle free lasagna, I take it out a few hours early to thaw, then throw it in the oven. If you have a casserole dish that can safely go from freezer to oven, you don’t even need to let it thaw. Just be sure to adjust the baking time.
Related recipes
Looking for other easy casseroles to feed the family or a bigger group? Check out a few of these favorites:
- Keto Chicken Broccoli Casserole is a quick and easy recipe made from scratch that’s absolutely delicious.
- Easy Mexican Chicken Lasagna includes plenty of cheese and is flavored with southwestern spices for a fun twist on this classic dish.
- Keto Eggplant Parmesan Casserole with a gluten-free breading is a delicious, cozy dish that’s loaded with cheese and authentic Italian flavor!
- Stuffed Pepper Casserole has all the flavorful ingredients of this classic comfort food combined in a baking dish for a super easy dinner.
- Pumpkin Lasagna also uses meat noodles to replace the pasta layer for a delicious twist on traditional lasagna.
I also love the flavors in the spinach artichoke chicken casserole by my friend Julianne over at Keto Cooking Christian.
Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!
Recipe
Keto Lasagna with Spinach
Video
Ingredients
MEATZA INGREDIENTS :
- 2 Pounds Ground Lean Beef
- 1 Egg yolk beaten
- ½ Cup Parmesan
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
- 2 Teaspoon Ground Sage
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Oregano
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme
- ½ - 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper Powder can be omitted if desired
- Salt and Ground Black Pepper to taste
LASAGNA INGREDIENTS :
- 2 to 2 ½ Cups Marinara Sauce
- 10 Ounces Spinach
- 2 Egg yolks beaten
- 1 Cup Ricotta
- 2 Cups Freshly Grated Mozzarella Cheese
- ½ Cup Parmesan
- ¼ Teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ⅛ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- Fresh Parsley for garnishing
Instructions
Making the meat slices
- In a small container, mix onion powder, garlic powder, sage, oregano, thyme and cayenne powder (if using). Reserve ½ teaspoon for marinara sauce.
- Place ground beef in a large platter or large bowl and mix in seasoning. Sprinkle parmesan and beaten egg yolk. Mix well.
- Line two 9x13 baking pans with parchment paper. Transfer seasoned ground beef and flatten with a spatula or back of a spoon.
- In a preheated oven of 450°F, bake ground beef for 7 to 12 minutes or just until browned. Drain oil and slice to fit lasagna container.
Preparing the lasagna
- In a bowl with marinara sauce, add parmesan, reserved mixed seasoning (from meatza ingredients) and mix well. Set aside.
- In another bowl with beaten egg, fold in ricotta. Set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and spinach until wilted. Season spinach with onion powder, garlic powder and black pepper.
- Assemble lasagna. Pour 2 to 3 tablespoon marinara sauce to an 8x8 baking pan. Top with meatza slices, spread more marinara sauce. Add all sautéed spinach and spread ricotta mixture on top. Cover with half of mozzarella cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients, with mozzarella at the top most part.
- In a preheated oven of 400°F, bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
First Published: January 5, 2018... Last Updated: January 2, 2020
Laurie Lewis
This recipe looks awesome - going to try it out when my son comes home next week with his family. I just want to do a 9 x 13 pan - since it shows 2 9x13 pans of meatzza, am I correct that will work?
would I need to increase other amounts re sauce and cheese mixtures?
Thanks so much!
Lisa MarcAurele
I only bake the Meatza in two 9x13-inch pans. If you have a large rimmed baking sheet, you can use that instead. The lasagna itself is baked in an 8x8-inch pan. Sorry about the confusion!
Martha
Not crazy about the meatza. I think next ti m e i will just fry tge meat The flavors were amazing.
Sherri
This turned out fabulous! I used ground pork instead of chicken. My only comment is that there is no way this takes 15 minutes of prep time. It took at least 30 minutes to prep, longer If you make your own marinara sauce. I used a store bought sauce. It had 6g carbs and to make it is 5g.
De
Sounds delicious
Jodi
The video shows only one pan to cook meat and one layer of meat, sauce, spinach etc. when assembling. Why two 9x13 pans to cook meat? Do you divide to cook? Is it for doing two 8x8 pans? It also indicates loaf pans.
Please help. Looks so yummy! Thank you.
Lisa MarcAurele
It's made in an 8x8 or 9x9 with two layers of meat. The video doesn't show all the layers.
Sien
Hello,
I like the recipe!! But here in Belgium we calculate in 'g' and 'kg'. (Cups and ounces are difficult to measure correctly). But I will try! Looks so delicious!
Sien
Lisa MarcAurele
Sorry about that. There's likely an easy online calculator to convert the ounces to grams and kilograms if needed. But I'll try to do more conversions on my end that work with the metric link.
Heather
I was diagnosed with type II a few months ago and lasagna is my absolute favorite. This was awesome!!!! I followed it to a T. So much flavor and very filling.
Kimberly Floyd
I made this for dinner tonight for myself and my somewhat keto husband! First of all, let me say that this is SO flavorful! My husband had 2 pieces, so I know it's a keeper! I also have to say that the recipe is pretty forgiving. I subbed Italian sausage for the ground beef and cottage cheese for the ricotta. BUT, here is the forgiving part. I forgot to add the egg and parmesan to the meatza, and it was still delish! Then I used the whole egg instead of just the yolks, and you guessed it! Still wonderful! Thank you for a recipe that will be in my regular keto rotation!!
Cora
This was soooooo good! Only thing I would do different next time is make my meatza a little thinner. But man, did not even miss the noodles! Thank you for sharing this!
Jolene
This is so freakin' good! Maybe even better than normal lasagna. It's definitely one of my husband and I's favorite recipes now. Thank you!
Colleen
OMG! Best, seriously, best lasagna ever! A little labor intensive but so worth it. With COVID quarantine going on I have the time and this was a HUGE hit with my family. Instead of all the day individual seasonings I did 4 tbsps Italian seasoning + 1 tsp of onion and garlic powder each and then added salt and pepper to taste. I also forgot to add it to the mix while I was mixing the meat with the parm and egg so I sprinkled on top and spread around before cooking. I had to cook more like 15 mins or so. I skipped ricotta bc I’m not a fan and used all fresh mozz. Next time I would add more marinara and add basil but overall this was a major hit in my family and a new fave!! So delish!! Shared with family and friends! Thank you!!!
Sandi l
Just made this tonight. I didn't add the spinach since I hate it but loved the meatza! Love the spices. I didn't add the cayenne pepper but next time I will!
Rene
All i can say is, Oh my Word!!!! How tasty and wholesome have this been. Made this recipe last night and also made the marinada myself. i must say, it is a timeous process, but we have split the left overs in to two separate dishes - so with a salad it will be more than enough. I can really recommend you give this one a try.
Carol Verge
Hi Lisa,
I am totally making this! But I have a silly question. Can I take out the ricotta without messing up the recipe? I cannot stand ricotta.
Love your recipes.
Lisa MarcAurele
Hi Carol! I don't recommend taking out the ricotta without replacing it with something else like cottage cheese. But, you might be able to replace the ricotta cheese layer with a layer of your favorite cheese.
Margaret Walters
Hi, looks good, but I prefer Italian sausage in lasagna. Do you think I could sub that for the ground beef?
Lisa MarcAurele
Sausage should work well in the recipe too.
Barb Natale
Haven't tried this yet, but it looks delicious. My only comment at this time is how can a recipe made in an 8x8 baking pan feed 9 people?
Lisa MarcAurele
It's very filling and cut into 9 squares but the count isn't much more if you cut it into 6 pieces instead.
Teresa
This was delicious!!! I did 1 pound grass fed beef and 1 pound Cajun seasoned Venison/sausage!
Rhea
Hi! Is it possible to fry the Meatza part of the lasagna using coconut oil??
Lisa MarcAurele
I don't see why not.
Pat DeCesare
Hi Lisa, want to try your keto lasagna with spinach. Is it in your cookbook?
Lisa MarcAurele
This recipe is not in the cookbook.