Start by preheating your oven to 350°F so it reaches the correct temperature by the time you're ready to bake. While the oven heats, measure out all your ingredients and have them ready: cottage cheese, Parmesan, parsley, pesto, egg, salt, pepper, nutmeg, marinara sauce, and mozzarella. This ensures you can work efficiently without scrambling for ingredients later.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the lasagna noodles, cooking until they reach al dente (tender but still slightly firm to the bite). This typically takes 8-10 minutes depending on your brand. Drain the noodles and lay them flat on a clean kitchen towel or parchment paper to cool slightly and prevent sticking. I find cooling them briefly makes them much easier to handle when filling.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, Parmesan, parsley, pesto, egg, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix thoroughly until well combined and smooth. The nutmeg adds a subtle warmth that elevates the filling without being noticeable—it's my secret touch for cottage cheese mixtures. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed before proceeding.

Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Lay out one cooled lasagna noodle and spread approximately 1/3 cup of the cottage cheese filling from Step 3 on top, leaving a small border on the edges. Roll the noodle tightly from one end to the other, then place it seam-side down in the sauce-lined dish. Repeat this process with the remaining noodles and filling. I like to place the rolls seam-side down because it helps them hold together better during baking.

Pour the remaining marinara sauce (approximately 1.5 cups) evenly over the rolled noodles, making sure to coat them all. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly across the top layer of sauce. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and prevent the top from drying out during the initial baking phase.

Place the covered dish in your preheated 350°F oven and bake for 40 minutes. The foil will keep everything moist and allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Remove from the oven and carefully lift off the foil. If you prefer a more browned, slightly crispy top, return it to the oven uncovered for 5-10 additional minutes, but the foil-covered version produces a more tender texture that works wonderfully with this dish. Let the lasagna cool for 5 minutes before serving, then garnish with fresh basil for brightness.